I've probably had the worst experience out of anyone that's received their JL

[Stuweeks]

I'm just thinking ahead here, but... I wonder what will happen to the Jeep after FCA buys it back? I don't think Sergio is going to want to take a $50K hit to his bottom line on a vehicle that might still be repairable. I'm wondering if it gets a complete run through, possibly the problem is (thought to be) fixed, and the Rubicon is next seen on a used vehicle lot.

Maybe when all is said and done the OP can post the VIN, just in case it re-appears.

My lawyer told me that once a vehicle is labeled a lemon, it must be disclosed to the next buyer, much like a salvaged title.

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[Troybilt]

Don't let them charge you for anything. Keep an eye on the sneaky pricks

 

[BSw]

Ok guys, I just received a phone call from the dealership where the Jeep was purchased, Columbia, TN. They have finally reached out to their FCA and have agreed to buy back the Rubicon!

I was at the airport when they called so I’ll get the details later. I’m actually out of town for two weeks, hopefully they can go ahead and get one ordered.

I was told by my lawyer not to accept anything without speaking to him first, so of course I’ll give him a ring shortly.

Do they cover your legal/lawyer fees as well?
Glad for you a new jeep is on its way to you

 

[Holymoly1963]

You are going to find that in every "all new" vehicle released by anyone. I've had 10 Jeeps in 25 years. I've had problems with 2. Every single one of them have been tortured by my hard driving, sometimes lacking maintenance and bad conditions. My JK was the most problematic but in the end, it was reliable, after I got the kinks out of it. I wheel my Jeeps fairly hard and I've only been stranded on the trail once (broken tie rod on my WJ). Every other one, has gotten me home every time.

Not buying this.

 

[digitalbliss]

My lawyer told me that once a vehicle is labeled a lemon, it must be disclosed to the next buyer, much like a salvaged title.

I was talking to a sales guy from there a little while back. I was thinking of texting him and letting him know what kind of reputation they were getting. Seems like they might me taking care of you now, so I'll hold off.

 

[Jtiffany78]

Update:

Spoke to the owner of Freeland Jeep and he was very apologetic about my car not being looked at for an entire day even with an appointment. He said the cause of the check engine light had to do with something if the gas and brake are pressed at the same time (which of course I never did). They cleared the light and had a tech drive it 40 miles without it coming back on. While on the phone he asked if his head mechanic could drive it 60 miles round trip to his home and back (overnight) to further ensure the light wouldn't come on. I really didn't want my brand new Jeep at some strangers home overnight, but at this point I just wanted it fixed!

They call me at around 9am telling me it's working fine, and that I can pick it up. I pick it up at noon and drive it 40 miles throughout the day, and the check engine light comes back on! You have got to be kidding me. My new Jeep has now 330 miles (100 driven by me), scratches, and has spent the night with a stranger. I'm scheduled to bring it back in tomorrow. It's a 30 minute trip to the dealer each time. I'm so over this Wrangler.

I also received an email from my case manager saying he has been trying to call me. I've confirmed my number 3 times and he still says he can't reach me. FYI the FCA rep yesterday told me that he was lying and never reached out. Marvin, you're on my short list. I've received multiple phone calls each day, all week from everyone else. Marvin apparently doesn't know how to operate a phone. The FCA rep from yesterday said she'd have a supervisor call me within 2-3 business days. I told her I want a call the very next day, I am leaving Monday for NYC for 2 weeks and will have limited access to my phone because of all day meetings. Of course, no call today.

I'm now going file a complaint with the BBB and I've already spoken to a lawyer. Tomorrow will be its third time in the shop within the 2 weeks I've had it. After 4 attempts to fix, TN state law says they owe me a new Jeep and they have to pay for my legal fees. I'm only one check engine light away guys!

@JeepCares get your shit together. This service is pathetic. I receive better customer service buying a sandwich at Chick-fil-a.

First off, I’m sorry this has been such a poor experience for you....something as simple as customer service would’ve gone a long way. Maybe this next one will be the best thing you’ve owned and in your favorite color..

Second, why is pressing the gas and brake at the same time a reason for a CEL? Did they explain that or does anybody else know? I’ve been a die hard standard guy my whole life and the newest vehicle I’ve ever owned was a 2010.
I’ve always assumed that in some off-road situation depressing both pedals at once would be necessary. Clearly I was wrong but just curious as to why...

 

[YFD_322]

They wine and dine you then throw you to the curb. Typical car dealers.

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

Ok guys, I just received a phone call from the dealership where the Jeep was purchased, Columbia, TN. They have finally reached out to their FCA and have agreed to buy back the Rubicon!

I was at the airport when they called so I’ll get the details later. I’m actually out of town for two weeks, hopefully they can go ahead and get one ordered.

I was told by my lawyer not to accept anything without speaking to him first, so of course I’ll give him a ring shortly.

I'm so happy to hear Jeep and the dealership have stepped up to correct the issue. Bravo, bravo!

 

[YFD_322]

That is great!

 

[COBill]

I really wish Fiat would just sell the Jeep brand to someone else. Not that they can, as it's financially pointless for FCA to exist without it...

Why would they?

For them and for Chrysler before them, the recipe is pretty simple:

1. Engineering to fix problems costs money.
2. Is this issue costing us sales? More sales than it would cost to fix it?
3. If not, we don't fix it.

Pretty simple, really, especially when so many are willing to use the "It's a Jeep Thing" excuse to cover a multitude of sins, especially when many of the issues with the Wrangler have been issues since at least the YJ.

Stu, as a small business owner, The only thing I can tell you is NOT to rely on the BBB. There is no way the BBB is going to take on FCA. They may give your local dealer a bad rating, but the dealer doesn't care.

And that's not a hit against the BBB. Just reality.

The BBB Auto Line does this daily and they do take on the manufacturers. Why? Because going through arbitration costs auto makers a lot less than lawyer's fees, and most often a couple extra repairs or a "give them the car for three weeks for them to fix it and they'll give you a rental car" does fix the issue.

At least with GM, arbitration through the BBB works like this: You and the manufacturer try and sort things out.

If the BBB rules for repurchase, the manufacturer has to buy your car back.

If the BBB does not, you still have the right to sue under the lemon law.

I went through BBB arbitration and GM had to buy back my 1988 Cavalier Z24, and given how well I took care of it the BBB case person said GM had to give me full value, not depreciated value, so I could walk away owing $0.

My lawyer told me that once a vehicle is labeled a lemon, it must be disclosed to the next buyer, much like a salvaged title.

Note that a "lemon" is only a car that was repurchased as the result of a bonafide lemon law lawsuit.

Autos repurchased because of a BBB arbitration or a "good will" buyback like yours will simply be "fixed" then will be sold at auction and sold on some dealer's lot as used.

That's what happened to my Cavalier.

When I noticed this, I submitted a boatload of paperwork to CarFAX, and they wouldn't list it as being a lemon either.

 

[FrenchSSGTMike]

I am thinking in particular about the check engine light on my wife's $2000 Chevy Tracker (which happens to be on again). My level of concern about that light, is around the same as my concern of a meteor hitting earth today and extinguishing all life on the planet, lol. (Basically zero.)

Dude, look up !!! Lol

 

[troybarwick]

This story is an example of why I am waiting for the 2019.

 

[jman]

This story is an example of why I am waiting for the 2019.

I highly doubt that 2019 will be more or less reliable. I do think that there will be more parts on hand and technicians trained on the new model. So that might be a valid point.

 

[COBill]

My lawyer told me that once a vehicle is labeled a lemon, it must be disclosed to the next buyer, much like a salvaged title.

I agree; we know from history there are a certain subset of issues that are indeed first year/model startup issues, but there are others than have been problems forever and likely will be.

Historically "this doesn't fit/isn't assembled correctly" tend to fall into the first category, where things like water leaks, items that break often, and most importantly items that need a redesign to be fixed tend to fall into the second.

For example, on the TJ, dust/dirt from top-off off-roading would get into the seat belt mechanisms, eventually gumming them up and causing the retractors to stop retracting.

Sometimes disassembling them to clean them would work, sometimes they wouldn't, but as a dirt-caused issue it was not covered under warranty.

Who knew the seat belts on a convertible might get dust and dirt in them even without being used off-road but certainly when used off-road?

Another was moisture/vibration would cause the connector at the back of the TJ dash to stop making contact with the vehicle, resulting in your instruments all going dead; sometimes a good whack on the top would bring them back, sometimes not, and the fix was to remove it, pack the connector with dielectric grease and reassemble it, which would work... for a while.

 

[DarkWater]

I know this doesn’t help your situation which I am absolutely happy that my experience had been flawless thus far...

I ordered my JL Rubicon in January, received it a week ago and haven’t noticed any issues or missing items (as I read somewhere others have had problems with). Granted, I only have about 400 miles on my Rube but they haven’t revealed any problems thus far. The miles have included highway, dirt and mud. No climbing yet but I did need 4 high for some of the mud...

I hope your issues are fixed soon as I believe these will be some of the greatest Jeeps yet!!!

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