Driver's side rear quarter panel of softtop flying off mid trip.

[DJ Jay]

So...we had an interesting morning. Put soft top on for first time earlier in the week. ('21 JLU Sahara with premium cloth) Made sure to do it with someone who knew what they were doing. Even checked before trip for good fit all around. Traveling on two lane highway at about 60mph this morning and driver's rear quarter panel blew right off. Landed behind us and then run over by multiple cars. No saving it. I am sure that the window was put in correctly. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Nothing on the rear window or the top is missing or damaged. It literally blew clean off. Again, I am sure that it was in the track correctly and all tabs were very secure. Windows were all closed at the time.

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[Heimkehr]

Sorry to read about this one, Josh. Will your insurance policy assist here?

With respect, it is a bit difficult to envision the described loss of the window unless it wasn't secured correctly or completely in its channels and brackets.

There is just a bit of voodoo required to properly seat the window panel's stiff vertical upright piece in the related plastic brackets on the vehicle. Note that the vinyl window panel can look correctly installed when this piece is otherwise not fully pressed in place.

Possibly the window assembly or the tab channels, etc. on the vehicle itself did fail, despite everything. Were either inspected to determine if this was the case?

 

[sf5211]

I have to agree with the above poster. Unfortunately something wasn’t installed right.

 

[aldo98229]

That totally sucks. But sounds like that “someone” who helped you didn’t really know what he was doing.

 

[78cj7-18lj]

I had the same thing happen, driver side rear quarter (Bang) and it was gone. I might have had 3000 miles. I took it to my local dealerships ( not the dealership I purchased from) and jeep covered it under warranty. No issues since but I'm careful to check all seams, corners, flaps before hwy speeds. Good luck

 

[DJ Jay]

James- Thank you. Everything looked right and felt right. Even checked it again right before the trip.

Nick- Thanks. I am going to speak with my service manager on Monday. Hopefully I will get the same warranty coverage. I am also going to make sure they look at everything to make sure there isn't some sort of defect in the main roof/channel.

 

[DJ Jay]

Just found this thread. Apparently it is an ongoing problem:

Soft Top window blowing out | 2018+ Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, Unlimited - JLwranglerforums.com

 

[Dscott326]

Just found this thread. Apparently it is an ongoing problem:

Soft Top window blowing out | 2018+ Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, Unlimited - JLwranglerforums.com

Yes, happened to my 16yo daughter while driving 2x last summer and after the 2 nd time soft top was taken off.

 

[BXFXJeep]

https://www.chrysler.com/universal/webselfservice/pdf/ca_en/V88.pdf



Campaign Description

2018-20 JL REAR QUARTER WINDO

Repair Description

Read and understand the enclosed Addendum Card booklet and Tip Card.Place these documents in your vehicles glove box for future reference by you or future owner

 

[Heimkehr]

https://www.chrysler.com/universal/webselfservice/pdf/ca_en/V88.pdf

Campaign Description

2018-20 JL REAR QUARTER WINDO

Repair Description

Read and understand the enclosed Addendum Card booklet and Tip Card.

The linked PDF essentially states that enough owners weren't installing the soft top rear quarter window vertical retainers correctly that a friendly reminder was considered necessary.

 

[Dscott326]

The linked PDF essentially states that enough owners weren't installing the soft top rear quarter window vertical retainers correctly that a friendly reminder was considered necessary.

Unfortunately, both times mine flew out, the windows had been installed by the Dealer. The 2nd time happened 15 minutes after he installed and then he refused to take any responsibility. Fortunately, Jeep stepped in and provided compensation.

 

[78cj7-18lj]

When it happened to me it was like a gut punch, brand new $$$$$$$$$$ Jeep and parts flying off, just a sick feeling. I still don't trust the top if I have had it folded down. I always want to stop and check because the two rear flaps WILL Not STAY TUCKED in the channel.

 

[DJ Jay]

I had the same thing happen, driver side rear quarter (Bang) and it was gone. I might have had 3000 miles. I took it to my local dealerships ( not the dealership I purchased from) and jeep covered it under warranty. No issues since but I'm careful to check all seams, corners, flaps before hwy speeds. Good luck

Nick
Can you tell me who your dealer was that provided warranty coverage? My dealer's service manager wants to reach out to him to see how the claim was put in with Jeep.

 

[karynm8621]

I guess this might be one of the downfalls of Bestop getting away from zippers and going to channels and velcro

 

[DevilDog305]

Exact same thing happened to me, and I lost the panel I couldn't find it after. Took it to the dealer, this is known issue with the soft top on Jeeps, at first they tried to tell me I installed it incorrectly so I called Jeep Wave customer service and they took care of it for me. Dealer wanted to charge me $400 for a replacement.

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