JEEP CLUTCH RECALL FAILURE PROBLEMS

[FRV]

Sorry to hear about your clutch troubles. Very aggravating I am sure.

I have a 2021 JLUR. Original owner. MT. 2.5" AEV lift. Still on 33s. Ursa Minor J30 camper top. 17 gallon Aux fuel tank. 52,000 miles. We have overlanded it across the country including thousands of miles of gravel and two track roads across the desert SW as well as technical, though not too difficult rock crawling, in Colorado and NM. Some moderate wheeling fully loaded at Uwharrie in NC. Never had a bit of trouble with the clutch or tranny. Did the clutch recall about a month ago. Posted about it here. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...r-action-report-w-photos.140353/#post-2929499

Took it out yesterday and drove a couple miles in 4L. No issues. Performed perfectly.

The tranny seems pretty solid so not sure why complaints in this thread about it without providing specific details. The ratios seem perfectly fine to me in 2/4WH or 4WL provided ring/pinion matched to tire size. I agree the clutch design is poor because it is unnecessarily complicated. It's a head scratcher...just like the ESS. But I have had no trouble with it so far (knock wood). I don't know what to make of the trouble some owners experience. But a lot of drivers to include those who have driven the MT hard, some with over a 100,000 miles, have had no trouble either. Sounds like you have a defective clutch. When bought my Jeep I remember reading the clutch had limited warranty coverage and that issue is well documented in the forum. So no surprise there.

But one thing I mention for others reading this thread and wondering if they should get a MT is it's imperative when operating in difficult terrain where speeds under 20-25 mph are necessary is to shift into 4WL and keep your foot off the clutch. Use your gears and accelerator to manage speed and navigate obstacles. You simply can not ride this clutch...but after having driving MT cars and trucks for more than 50 years and replaced a number of clutches myself that is true of most vehicles but especially heavy off-road vehicles.

All that said, if I have trouble with this clutch like others have had I will replace with a more simple and robust aftermarket clutch.

Interested to read about your experience with the CF not only when you get to drive it but also an update in a year or so after you have done some wheeling.

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[Mguy]

I agree the clutch design is poor because it is unnecessarily complicated. .

I agree with everything FRV says except the above. The clutch (before and after recall replacement) may or may not be complicated, but it works very well for me and has been reliable. Smooth starts and even smoother low and high speed shifts, in 2W and 4W high. On mountain rock obstructed paths, when the sway bar needs releasing, I'm using 4WL and letting go the clutch pedal quickly from a stop, and then the gas pedal. I don't want a clutch in my Jeep that feels like a truck, done with that. Most often when I read clutch trashing on this forum, I don't understand what is being said.

 

[Jerry Bynum]

Jerry Bynum here once again (December 27, 2024) regarding an update on replacing the Jeep – Recall Clutch with an After-Market (Centerforce II) Clutch Kit after the Chrysler Jeep Dealership in Bakersfield had told me that I was responsible (Driver Error) for the damage caused to the recently installed Jeep – Recall Clutch in my 2021 Jeep Wrangler JL.
With that said, on December 24, 2024, the Jeep after-market clutch work had been completed and I picked up the Jeep at Brandon’s Transmission and Automotive Repair. At the time of pickup, the shop owner and transmission/clutch technician briefed me that when Jeep Recall Clutch (clutch had been installed by Hunter Dodge/Jeep in Lancaster, CA) had been removed, that the Recall Clutch was still in good condition and could not understand why Bakersfield Chrysler-Jeep’s Transmission/Clutch Technician said that the recall clutch had been damaged as the technician at the dealership (Bakersfield Chrysler-Jeep) could not of realistically made the determination unless he/she had removed the transmission out of the vehicle to of made a visual inspection and most likely made the determination that the clutch was damaged going off of faulty diagnostic sensors. The Transmission/Clutch Technician at Brandon’s Transmission and Automotive Repair has over 20-years of experience as a transmission/clutch technician of which during his career was also employed by Dodge Chrysler as a transmission/clutch technician and made the following written comments on the customer’s (Jerry Bynum) invoice as stated: “
“Dealer (Bakersfield Chrysler-Jeep) told customer (Jerry Bynum) his problem was from driver error but we see no reason for that to be true. Clutch doesn’t show signs of damage. Has very minimal wear but that is all.

On Thursday, December 26, 2024, I called both, Jeep Customer Care – Stellantis Customer Retention Team, Stellantis and Bakersfield Chrysler/Jeep’s Service Advisor to afford them with an update on the situation about both Brandon’s Transmission and Automotive Repair finding that the Jeep Recall Clutch was found undamaged. Neither representatives answered the phone and left my information to call me back.

Will continue to keep this forum informed with new future updates on my situation, and until then, Wishing Everyone A Happy New Year!

 

[lokilewis]

Dealer tech here who also owns a manual JL. I would not trust that garbage clutch (or garbage transmission) for any type of serious off road duty.

It's defective in its raw design combined with a transmission with the worst gear ratios in existence. I do not know what the engineers were thinking. I don't believe they were thinking at all. They just forced a powertrain through because they had to, not because they wanted to. It is the laziest half assed design for a problem that shouldn't of existed in the first place (Stop start on a manual...). A manual is bought by enthusiasts, it should be designed for an enthusiast.

This clutch has seen multiple recalls and they've slapped flex tape on it every single time while refusing to actually redesign it. The same negligence is present with our defective steering stabilizers.

I recommend everyone upgrade to an aftermarket clutch at the first sign of any issues.

I was one of the many that made this mistake getting this recall done. The dealership has had my Jeep for 2 months now. And I opened a case with Jeep two so far. they claim their technicians are working on the problem. This problem seems to be years old now and they as an organization knows about it. How could they not. all the forums seem to point to an ACT Clutch as an aftermarket replacement. From what I gather so far this is more of a software problem than a hardware issue.

 

[FRV]

I now have 70,000 miles on my jeep. Did the clutch recall at around 50,000 miles. Just completed a 9,000 mile trip from NC to Mt Ranier and back through the Oregon BDR, Moab, Canyonlands, Colorado etc. Only 300 miles on the interstate--all the rest on two lane black top, forest roads, and 4x4 trails. Plenty of technical driving, minor rock crawling, water crossings, deep sand etc. We were fully loaded at about 6,000 lbs. 2.5" lift, Ursa Minor camper, 17 gallon aux fuel tank steel front and rear bumpers. However we retained the stock wheels, 33" tall K02s, and stock 4:10 gearing. Never had a bit of trouble with the Jeep or the tranny. It was flawless.

One thing I will say is it is imperative to use 4WL whenever you are traversing obstacles be it deep sand, rocks, adverse terrain or any kind of technical driving that would otherwise require you to be in 1st or second gear and the engine under load. My observation is most people seem to avoid using the 4WL transfer case which when not used puts a lot of strain and heat in the clutch assembly. You ride the clutch at your own peril.

I'm not suggesting that is always the cause of clutch failure but sharing my own experience and observation.

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