2021 JLUR - Paint Missing

[MDRubicon]

I get it, you’re going to wheel the crap out of your JL so who cares... well I care, it’s brand new and speaks to the overall quality/craft.

• Is this a huge deal? No...
• Can this be corrected? Yes...
• Should this happen = No!

Prior to ceramic coating my new jeep, my detailer found no paint in the tailgate hinge, per the photo. You can see where the factory stopped the paint spray and clear coat (+ it’s rough).

He also found a small ding next to the windshield, which cannot be popped out, because it will ruin the paint.

If you’re getting a new 2021 JLU, be sure to check the paint in the tailgate hinge -if you think it’s just dust like me, check again.

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[Heimkehr]

Thanks for the intel, Zach. I'll add a line item to my Vehicle Inspection checklist.

For years, magazine reviews would mention this key difference between American and Japanese brands. Namely, the latter were usually careful to extend the quality of the paint finish, to include clearcoat where used, inside door jambs and other places not normally exposed to the elements, where the same attention to detail was oftentimes absent on domestic vehicles.

I've found the foregoing to be generally (but not absolutely) true on the vehicles that I've owned. Your photos make plain that it remains something that requires our continued vigilance.

 

[MDRubicon]

Thanks for the intel, Zach. I'll add a line item to my Vehicle Inspection checklist.

For years, magazine reviews would mention this key difference between American and Japanese brands. Namely, the latter were usually careful to extend the quality of the paint finish, to include clearcoat where used, inside door jambs and other places not normally exposed to the elements, where the same attention to detail was oftentimes absent on domestic vehicles.

I've found the foregoing to be generally (but not absolutely) true on the vehicles that I've owned. Your photos make plain that it remains something that requires our continued vigilance.

Anytime, happy to help contribute to the list. Quick question, do you think the lack of paint/clear coat makes it more vulnerable to rust?

In the tailgate that could become an issue in X years...

 

[Heimkehr]

Anytime, happy to help contribute to the list. Quick question, do you think the lack of paint/clear coat makes it more vulnerable to rust?

Any bare metal on a vehicle will be vulnerable to corrosion at some future point (steel or aluminum). Its position on the vehicle will determine when that occurs. This usually isn't a problem on, for example, rotors. As for unpainted bodywork, though, all bets are off. I'd chase down a solution here sooner rather than later.

Had it been my vehicle where this was discovered during the pre-delivery inspection, I'd insist that a related entry be made on the "We Owe" receipt...unless the vehicle is left there for repair before I take legal possession at a later time.

Best of luck that you obtain a satisfactory resolution here.

 

[BlackToe]

I have light or missing paint in similar areas on my 2020 JLUR. Yeah I also wasn't too pleased when I discovered it. I only bought about 5 weeks ago and still intend to show it to my dealer. Not sure if anything will come of that but its worth an ask. They are pretty good guys.

 

[MDRubicon]

My dealership already said it won’t be a problem to fix it. They even stated it’s covered under warranty... still sucks though - makes me concerned about what else may be a hiding and other short cuts taken.

For $50k, I was expecting better - luckily my dealership rocks, others may not be so lucky.

Don’t get me wrong either, I don’t regret the buy and hopefully never will - I love jeep life. I read about weld issues on earlier JLs, so I may do additional inspections to see if anything else is looking off... especially with Covid, who knows if/how that’s impacted quality control or other elements at the factory (not to say this is directly related either, just ya never know).

 

[Suffolklou]

Well, the ding in the windshield frame probably saved you a windshield. I had a 2016 JK that I was trading in in 3 days and caught a rock on a road trip to Bend Oregon. It spread across the glass within 2 hours. Had to replace it before trading it...

 

[MDRubicon]

Well, the ding in the windshield frame probably saved you a windshield. I had a 2016 JK that I was trading in in 3 days and caught a rock on a road trip to Bend Oregon. It spread across the glass within 2 hours. Had to replace it before trading it...

I don’t think the ding was from a rock, rather transport or maybe by the dealership when they installed the lift or when they (attempted to) wash it after install... it’s def possible a rock hit it within the 15 or so miles they put on the Jeep during test drives after install. It has less than 40 miles on it, still brand new.

I’m hoping after the ceramic coating I won’t notice the ding - TBD. If it still bothers me, I’ll have to weigh the pros/cons of having the dealership fix it, which will translate into paint work, and that may be worse than a little ding.

 

[Suffolklou]

I am the type that if I never saw it, it wouldn't bother me, but if I saw it and I don't think that I did it, well... I am asking the dealer WTF. Petty I know. I like to take care of my stuff until I beat on it.

 

[MDRubicon]

I am the type that if I never saw it, it wouldn't bother me, but if I saw it and I don't think that I did it, well... I am asking the dealer WTF. Petty I know. I like to take care of my stuff until I beat on it.

Yeah same here - trying to stay positive until I get it back from Ceramic
Coating... to be fair, the detailer found it, not me. The test will be do I notice it when I pick it up.

This dealership has been outstanding, so if it’s a problem that needs to be fixed, I’m going to be nice about it. They gave me 8% below invoice + Mopar MaxCare 8 yr Warranty at dealer cost + reduced their price for installing a Mopar lift/tailgate reinforcement by 50% to match the price of an off-road shop + today, while my Jeep was at the detailer getting cleaned/prepped for ceramic coating, they called to have their dent specialist guy drive from Baltimore (40 min away) to come to the shop where my Jeep was and see if it could be popped out/fixed before the coating is applied (and so I wouldn’t have to take the Jeep out into the elements after paying my detailer to do the paint prep)... AMAZING SERVICE!
This is with the understanding that I’ll be coming to them for life (something I’ve told them from the get-go) - and I plan to, they’re located within 1.5 miles of my house (= free delivery/pickup for service).

 

[Suffolklou]

Yeah same here - trying to stay positive until I get it back from Ceramic
Coating... to be fair, the detailer found it, not me. The test will be do I notice it when I pick it up.

This dealership has been outstanding, so if it’s a problem that needs to be fixed, I’m going to be nice about it. They gave me 8% below invoice + Mopar MaxCare 8 yr Warranty at dealer cost + reduced their price for installing a Mopar lift/tailgate reinforcement by 50% to match the price of an off-road shop + today, while my Jeep was at the detailer getting cleaned/prepped for ceramic coating, they called to have their dent specialist guy drive from Baltimore (40 min away) to come to the shop where my Jeep was and see if it could be popped out/fixed before the coating is applied (and so I wouldn’t have to take the Jeep out into the elements after paying my detailer to do the paint prep)... AMAZING SERVICE!
This is with the understanding that I’ll be coming to them for life (something I’ve told them from the get-go) - and I plan to, they’re located within 1.5 miles of my house (= free delivery/pickup for service).

Sounds like you have a really great dealer. Lucky.

When I had my mopar 2" lift put on my 2020 they put the front springs on the wrong corners. They had already done an alignment, they did it again. No questions, but I had to catch the problem.

 

[MDRubicon]

Sounds like you have a really great dealer. Lucky.

When I had my mopar 2" lift put on my 2020 they put the front springs on the wrong corners. They had already done an alignment, they did it again. No questions, but I had to catch the problem.

Yeah I was thinking of having an off-road shop inspect, because you never know... first things first, paint protection - then finally driving!

 

[Kyanche]

The tailgate on my JL is like that too. I think most of them are that way, unfortunately.

 

[MDRubicon]

The tailgate on my JL is like that too. I think most of them are that way, unfortunately.

Considering it can get wet, which can leave to rust, it would be great if Jeep did some sort of recall fix to address it... not gonna happen, but that would make sense. Most owners probably will sell/trade their Jeep’s before rust pops up, so it will be those buying used many years from now who get the fun of dealing with it.

 

[Kyanche]

It's on my list of things to complain to the dealer about when I finally get a chance. That and my engine vibrating when stopped at red lights.

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