Jeep Service

[Old Dogger]

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[Swisskidd]

I bought my first Jeep Wrangler, a JLU Sahara eco-diesel in Jan 2022 and love it. We helped my daughter buy a new 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited, she still has it and loves it too. My problem isn't with the vehicles, its with the service, its horrible! There are seven Jeep dealers within 25 miles of me and only one has more than 2.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp. I take my JLU to the one that has a higher rating (but surprisingly few reviews, including ones I know were there a year ago but are no longer) and they are mediocre at best too. They never stick to their appointment schedules and after three weeks earlier suggesting I drop my vehicle off last night so they could bring it in cold immediately upon opening up today (first available appointment), I just found out they didn't start on my JLU until mid-afternoon, and they will call me tomorrow when its ready. I drive past two dealerships with appalling ratings and drive three times as far as the closest dealer to get to mine and have to say with out a doubt, Jeep dealerships have the worst service department of any brand I have owned in more than 50 years of having a car. Just curious, and quoting a movie title, is this As Good As It Gets when it comes to Jeep Service, or am i just in a bad area (southeast New England)? Jeep dealers give the impression they don't give a crap about either excellence or their customers. Like I said, I LOVE my JLU and all the fun it brings in the warm weather (got the dual top option and have a Top Lift Pro), but unlike the other two vehicle manufactured cars we have at our house now, I have off putting experiences at the Jeep dealership every time and never have any at the other manufacturor dealerships.

The dealership experience really boils down to the single person who interacts with you. Not the dealer name, nor any potential online reviews.
My visits were solely for warranty issues, and I asked them once to include one of their free oil changes and tire rotations. Only to find out that 5k miles later, I removed the filter I installed 5k prior to the dealer oil change (different brand of filter, not used by dealer). Upon confronting them, the service mgr had no explanation other than agreeing with my observation and offered me additional free oil changes. I happily declined!

If you’re not a hands-on owner, I would suggest to find a reputable independent shop for your maintenance (preferably not the quick lube type chain stores).

 

[jbcrane]

I must say that servicing my own Wrangler is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of ownership. I haven't been to the dealer in 2.5 years and during that time have done all oil changes, tire rotations, tailgate reinforcement, air/cabin filter changes, tire rotations, differential fluid changes, transfer case fluid changes, transmission fluid changes, installing/aiming headlights/fog lights, winches, power interrupt kit, track bars, tie rods, drag links, shock mount skids, differential covers/skids... anything else needing to be done - except replace the auxiliary battery, which I had a local 4x4 shop do. I'm just a normal Joe, not an experienced/skilled mechanic. Before getting my Wrangler in April '21 I didn't even change the oil on my other cars... it was too difficult to get access. The Jeep is so easy to work on that if you have a garage and a few tools you'll save a ton of money – and have fun doing it yourself. I'm considering tackling harder stuff coming up, like brakes, ball joints, etc. If I decide to replace my clutch with OEM I'll take him to a dealership I trust half hour away. Besides that, it's just me & my buddy figuring it out.

 

[Gangplank]

I must say that servicing my own Wrangler is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of ownership. I haven't been to the dealer in 2.5 years and during that time have done all oil changes, tire rotations, tailgate reinforcement, air/cabin filter changes, tire rotations, differential fluid changes, transfer case fluid changes, transmission fluid changes, installing/aiming headlights/fog lights, winches, power interrupt kit, track bars, tie rods, drag links, shock mount skids, differential covers/skids... anything else needing to be done - except replace the auxiliary battery, which I had a local 4x4 shop do. I'm just a normal Joe, not an experienced/skilled mechanic. Before getting my Wrangler in April '21 I didn't even change the oil on my other cars... it was too difficult to get access. The Jeep is so easy to work on that if you have a garage and a few tools you'll save a ton of money – and have fun doing it yourself. I'm considering tackling harder stuff coming up, like brakes, ball joints, etc. If I decide to replace my clutch with OEM I'll take him to a dealership I trust half hour away. Besides that, it's just me & my buddy figuring it out.

Agreed. I’ve had my JLUW for about 18 months. There is a DIY Bay near me where I can rent a lift bay with all the tools needed for $45/hr. So far with the help of a couple friends I’ve installed a lift kit w/ shocks, adjustable track bars, relocated the steering stabilizer, new bumpers, and changed the oil. It’s very satisfying to be able to work on my own Jeep.

Changing the oil and filter on the Jeep is so easy it literally takes 30 minutes going slow and taking your time not to make a mess.

Cost me $43 for 5 quarts of oil and a filter at local auto parts store. Compared to local places charging $100 - $130 for “premium sysnthetic”… yep I’ll do it myself from now on.

https://www.quadratec.com/c/howto/how-do-oil-change-2018-and-newer-jeep-wrangler-jl-36l-pentastar-v6

 

[JJC01]

If a service department has people standing around with their hands in their pockets waiting on a scheduled appointment, they aren’t making any money.

said my father to me when I was in third grade...

 

[JJC01]

I must say that servicing my own Wrangler is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of ownership. I haven't been to the dealer in 2.5 years and during that time have done all oil changes, tire rotations, tailgate reinforcement, air/cabin filter changes, tire rotations, differential fluid changes, transfer case fluid changes, transmission fluid changes, installing/aiming headlights/fog lights, winches, power interrupt kit, track bars, tie rods, drag links, shock mount skids, differential covers/skids... anything else needing to be done - except replace the auxiliary battery, which I had a local 4x4 shop do. I'm just a normal Joe, not an experienced/skilled mechanic. Before getting my Wrangler in April '21 I didn't even change the oil on my other cars... it was too difficult to get access. The Jeep is so easy to work on that if you have a garage and a few tools you'll save a ton of money – and have fun doing it yourself. I'm considering tackling harder stuff coming up, like brakes, ball joints, etc. If I decide to replace my clutch with OEM I'll take him to a dealership I trust half hour away. Besides that, it's just me & my buddy figuring it out.

Like you, I do the maintenance and a lot of repairs on my vehicles myself, but other than an oil and filter change at the house at 500 miles, like I always did on my motorcycles, I don't touch it while its under warranty for fear of them telling me I've voided it. You sound like you and your buddy are more adventurous than me, but I agree, there is a great deal of satisfaction, as well as the convenience, that comes with doing such things yourself.

 

[JJC01]

The dealership experience really boils down to the single person who interacts with you. Not the dealer name, nor any potential online reviews.
My visits were solely for warranty issues, and I asked them once to include one of their free oil changes and tire rotations. Only to find out that 5k miles later, I removed the filter I installed 5k prior to the dealer oil change (different brand of filter, not used by dealer). Upon confronting them, the service mgr had no explanation other than agreeing with my observation and offered me additional free oil changes. I happily declined!

If you’re not a hands-on owner, I would suggest to find a reputable independent shop for your maintenance (preferably not the quick lube type chain stores).

a constant theme I am hearing and like you folks, I will do it after the warranty expires, but you don't do a fuel-pump recall yourself and in addition to the (warranty-free) oil/filter change and a state inspections sticker, that was on the to-do list... The independent shop is also something I have used from my other vehicles after the warranty expires and a good recommendation for my JLU. Thanks

 

[JJC01]

I don't understand where this take it to the dealer mentality that Americans have now came from.

Fuel-pump recall was the biggest motivator and it is still under warranty.

 

[melendez69]

Fuel-pump recall was the biggest motivator and it is still under warranty.

If you decide to use your area dealer(s) for a simple service; i.e., an oil change, don't just drive away afterwards. Check oil level, filter cap, spills, etc.

Although somewhat infrequent, the stories here are many... not enough oil, the infamous 6-quarts (read the invoice), loose cap, etc.

Don't take it for granted your service was completed successfully, especially with those poor ratings.

 

[Swisskidd]

a constant theme I am hearing and like you folks, I will do it after the warranty expires, but you don't do a fuel-pump recall yourself and in addition to the (warranty-free) oil/filter change and a state inspections sticker, that was on the to-do list... The independent shop is also something I have used from my other vehicles after the warranty expires and a good recommendation for my JLU. Thanks

I understand; For warranty / recall work, you’re at the mercy of a dealer.
I do not believe you’re obligated to have maintenance done at a dealer, for the warranty to remain valid. Certainly, keeping a log with receipts would help in case there is a question during a possible warranty issue.

 

[JJC01]

I understand; For warranty / recall work, you’re at the mercy of a dealer.
I do not believe you’re obligated to have maintenance done at a dealer, for the warranty to remain valid. Certainly, keeping a log with receipts would help in case there is a question during a possible warranty issue.

Agree 100% and thanks! I also have to confess I wanted to get that second (of three) warranty-free oil&filter change while it was in there for the fuel-pump recall and I was already several months past my 1st inspection sticker requirement...

 

[JJC01]

If you decide to use your area dealer(s) for a simple service; i.e., an oil change, don't just drive away afterwards. Check oil level, filter cap, spills, etc.

Although somewhat infrequent, the stories here are many... not enough oil, the infamous 6-quarts (read the invoice), loose cap, etc.

Don't take it for granted your service was completed successfully, especially with those poor ratings.

Great reminder! I remember taking a 98 sedan to a local oil change shop once for an automatic transmission fluid exchange, only to get home and discover they had overfilled it, which is potentially damaging, so I had to jack it up and get underneath to remedy their carelessness. I have seen a few posts in the past on this forum about dealership oil-changes gone-wrong, but wouldn't have remembered to do the check if you hadn't reminded me. Thanks!

 

[jbcrane]

...I don't touch it while it's under warranty for fear of them telling me I've voided it. You sound like you and your buddy are more adventurous than me, but I agree, there is a great deal of satisfaction, as well as the convenience, that comes with doing such things yourself.

I hear ya... for what it's worth, I once asked the service manager if installing stuff myself voided my warranty. His reply:"not if you do it right." I keep every receipt in both paper and digital form, along with a spread sheet on the computer documenting every event, just in case.

 

[autotragic]

If a service department has people standing around with their hands in their pockets waiting on a scheduled appointment, they aren’t making any money.

The flip side of that is if I schedule an appointment that appointment shouldn't be made 3 months out because the dealer can't get their staffing sorted out. Surely there can be a happy medium?

 

[mwilk012]

The flip side of that is if I schedule an appointment that appointment shouldn't be made 3 months out because the dealer can't get their staffing sorted out. Surely there can be a happy medium?

Appointments just shouldn’t be made 3 months out. Imagine the chaos that is that service center. They have no idea what their ETA’s are and they take any job that becomes difficult and push it to the side or out the door with PROBLEM NOT REPRODUCED. You cannot accurately gauge what the workload will be 3 months from now.

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