Clutch Recall (2/23/23): Clutch Pressure Plate May Overheat -- Affecting 70,000 Manual Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators

[58Willys]

Update: My Jeep is now fixed. The fix was the replaced gear position sensor (they said it shorted out), factory reprogrammed 35's, and a gear relearn.

Nice!

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[JeepFiend]

Just got home from the dealership. It's about 35 minutes away on a 75mph highway. So far, no lights and no limp mode. I will say the clutch is dramatically different, at least in my opinion. I tend to be hypersensitive to smell and feel, but I barely have to take my heel off the floor any more. The transition from initial to full engagement is significantly better than before, imho. Overall shifting feels smoother, throttle feels smoother (which someone else also referenced), and downshifting is fun again! The engagement point still doesn't have a strong feel, but it does have a subtle feel, unlike previously with no feel whatsoever. All in all, I'm actually pretty impressed. Hopefully by the time I go to 37's, I have a Livernois tune and this issue is all in the past. :D In the meantime, if any errors pop up, I'll repost and let y'all know.

 

[Wrangles]

Had my recall done end of September. My Jeep is bone stock. I left it with them for a week. Got it back and I immediately stalled it once but never again. I guess it felt different at the time but I can’t tell.

These days with dealerships being what they are who’s to say they did the recall at all? I looked at all the bolts to check if I could tell if they were removed. I couldn’t tell so again who knows.

I’ll never sell this Jeep because it has the FCA lifetime warranty but I’ll never buy another Stellantis product again. Too many recalls and issues and there are other options out there now.

 

[JeepFiend]

The friction point is much lower on the new clutch assembly, so if you were used to riding it all the way to the top, it catches a lot sooner :D

 

[XKPin]

I read yesterday somewhere on here about the same situation you are having. Something to do with the clutch recall reprogramming. Mine is a 2023, and we skipped the recall .

I wish I avoided the recall! The original clutch engagement was way too light and tough to pinpoint, but shifting was butter smooth. Put 35K on the original clutch and had the Recall performed by my Virginia dealership. I had them show me the parts. At 35k the clutch & pressure plate were perfect. Good for another 35k.

So now I can feel the clutch friction point and I love THAT! But at what a cost! They fried the radio and I can't shift into Reverse 90% of the time (at all) and shifting into 1st and 5th requires extreme rattling of the shifting lever with force.

Returned it to the Mopar dealer repeatedly, and of course, they can't find anything wrong.

I wish I NEVER had the Recall performed! Shifting is a nightmare and all the places I checked out can't seem to correct it. It used to be fun driving my Jeep. Now I'd rather drive my 'hoopdie.'

By any chance do you know of any Jeep (or specialty) repair facility that is actually SKILLED? Doesn't matter where.

 

[CaboJim]

I wish I avoided the recall! The original clutch engagement was way too light and tough to pinpoint, but shifting was butter smooth. Put 35K on the original clutch and had the Recall performed by my Virginia dealership. I had them show me the parts. At 35k the clutch & pressure plate were perfect. Good for another 35k.

So now I can feel the clutch friction point and I love THAT! But at what a cost! They fried the radio and I can't shift into Reverse 90% of the time (at all) and shifting into 1st and 5th requires extreme rattling of the shifting lever with force.

Returned it to the Mopar dealer repeatedly, and of course, they can't find anything wrong.

I wish I NEVER had the Recall performed! Shifting is a nightmare and all the places I checked out can't seem to correct it. It used to be fun driving my Jeep. Now I'd rather drive my 'hoopdie.'

By any chance do you know of any Jeep (or specialty) repair facility that is actually SKILLED? Doesn't matter where.

Unfortunately I do not. When I took my Jeep in for the Gear Position Sensor recall I told them whatever they do, DO NOT perform the clutch recall. They fought me on that. Glad I stuck to my guns on that.

 

[JeepFiend]

I wish I avoided the recall! The original clutch engagement was way too light and tough to pinpoint, but shifting was butter smooth. Put 35K on the original clutch and had the Recall performed by my Virginia dealership. I had them show me the parts. At 35k the clutch & pressure plate were perfect. Good for another 35k.

So now I can feel the clutch friction point and I love THAT! But at what a cost! They fried the radio and I can't shift into Reverse 90% of the time (at all) and shifting into 1st and 5th requires extreme rattling of the shifting lever with force.

Returned it to the Mopar dealer repeatedly, and of course, they can't find anything wrong.

I wish I NEVER had the Recall performed! Shifting is a nightmare and all the places I checked out can't seem to correct it. It used to be fun driving my Jeep. Now I'd rather drive my 'hoopdie.'

By any chance do you know of any Jeep (or specialty) repair facility that is actually SKILLED? Doesn't matter where.

From what I've heard, the issues shifting are generally related to cable adjustments??? This would be the first transmission I've ever had that had cables, but everything about this Fiat of a Jeep sucks, so it wouldn't surprise me...it sure feels wonky.

 

[Steve104]

From what I've heard, the issues shifting are generally related to cable adjustments??? This would be the first transmission I've ever had that had cables, but everything about this Fiat of a Jeep sucks, so it wouldn't surprise me...it sure feels wonky.

This is from the Stallantis clutch Safety Recall instructions:

CAUTION: Do not remove the shift cable bracket.
CAUTION: If any of the shift cables or shift cable brackets are removed, the cable adjustment must be checked. This adjustment is critical. If not set correctly, transmission damage is possible.

So maybe the technician who did the work, did in fact remove the cables or bracket. And then could not get them back to their original positions. The “CAUTION” makes me think it’s an easy thing to screw up.

 

[multicam]

I’m really not looking forward to getting this done… just got the postcard in the mail saying my jeep has this recall. 2019 JLR with 66,000 miles, all stock except 35” tires and some other small changes, and it currently has the software update that shows the gear you’re in on the dash.

Did they finally figure this out? Is this just a clutch replacement or did they actually change anything?

by the way, I haven’t been on the forums in forever. Got super busy moving across the continent and starting a new job. Good to be back though

 

[Steve104]

I’m really not looking forward to getting this done… just got the postcard in the mail saying my jeep has this recall. 2019 JLR with 66,000 miles, all stock except 35” tires and some other small changes, and it currently has the software update that shows the gear you’re in on the dash.

Did they finally figure this out? Is this just a clutch replacement or did they actually change anything?

by the way, I haven’t been on the forums in forever. Got super busy moving across the continent and starting a new job. Good to be back though

From following the JL forum, there seems to many problems with both having the recall done and with having an aftermarket clutch installed. I put it the weaker ACT helper spring, but otherwise will leave well enough alone. I have a 2 door and am not towing anything, so I'm not too worried about the overheating issues.

 

[XKPin]

This is from the Stallantis clutch Safety Recall instructions:

CAUTION: Do not remove the shift cable bracket.
CAUTION: If any of the shift cables or shift cable brackets are removed, the cable adjustment must be checked. This adjustment is critical. If not set correctly, transmission damage is possible.

So maybe the technician who did the work, did in fact remove the cables or bracket. And then could not get them back to their original positions. The “CAUTION” makes me think it’s an easy thing to screw up.

Seems like some factory trained mechanics can do the job correctly and some Jeep owners are pleased with the results. But there are a lot of us disgusted with the Clutch Recall outcome. Apparently too many 'factory trained' Jeep mechanics ignored their training, never followed the step-by-step Recall instructions or just do not care what type of job they do.

My 2022 Wrangler ran great for 35k miles BEFORE the Clutch Recall 'repair.' Now it shifts so badly it is no longer fun to drive. Reverse is near impossible, 6 to 5th requires brutish force, and shifting into 1st at a stop light is filled with anxiety! The Jeep dealership burned out my radio and backup camera during the recall process as well. After 4-months no radio replacement available. The local Jeep dealerships tell me they make adjustments but the adjustments do not work.

I've asked this before, without any feedback: Does ANYONE out there have a JL Wrangler mechanic they trust enough to recommend (on the east coast)?

 

[fczabala]

Seems like some factory trained mechanics can do the job correctly and some Jeep owners are pleased with the results. But there are a lot of us disgusted with the Clutch Recall outcome. Apparently too many 'factory trained' Jeep mechanics ignored their training, never followed the step-by-step Recall instructions or just do not care what type of job they do.

My 2022 Wrangler ran great for 35k miles BEFORE the Clutch Recall 'repair.' Now it shifts so badly it is no longer fun to drive. Reverse is near impossible, 6 to 5th requires brutish force, and shifting into 1st at a stop light is filled with anxiety! The Jeep dealership burned out my radio and backup camera during the recall process as well. After 4-months no radio replacement available. The local Jeep dealerships tell me they make adjustments but the adjustments do not work.

I've asked this before, without any feedback: Does ANYONE out there have a JL Wrangler mechanic they trust enough to recommend (on the east coast)?

there's an independent guy on Long Island, he's the only mechanic I trust to work on my Jeep for serious stuff (he replaced my clutch) but again, kinda far from you lol EVANS4X4.com

 

[XKPin]

there's an independent guy on Long Island, he's the only mechanic I trust to work on my Jeep for serious stuff (he replaced my clutch) but again, kinda far from you lol EVANS4X4.com

Thanks for the info! I grew up in Jersey. Long Island is not out of the question if I can't get this resolved. The inconvenience of driving headlong into insurmountable traffic is better than having a 2-year old vehicle that is dysfunctional. It's not out of the question. Is EVANS4X4.com his point of contact?
Thank you.

 

[fczabala]

Thanks for the info! I grew up in Jersey. Long Island is not out of the question if I can't get this resolved. The inconvenience of driving headlong into insurmountable traffic is better than having a 2-year old vehicle that is dysfunctional. It's not out of the question. Is EVANS4X4.com his point of contact?
Thank you.

his website only has 1 picture and his number on it lol

 

[PAFarmBoy]

I’m really not looking forward to getting this done… just got the postcard in the mail saying my jeep has this recall. 2019 JLR with 66,000 miles, all stock except 35” tires and some other small changes, and it currently has the software update that shows the gear you’re in on the dash.

Did they finally figure this out? Is this just a clutch replacement or did they actually change anything?

by the way, I haven’t been on the forums in forever. Got super busy moving across the continent and starting a new job. Good to be back though

Are you at Hood now? I saw the 1st Cav patch. I am at Fort Sam...

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