JL Wrangler Front Windshield Defrost: Please file NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint

[Hound Dog]

If I may ask a practical question...

that is a wiper from a 1940's Willys. The original jeep. It goes through the top of the windshield frame. You grab the handle and move it back and forth to wipe the rain off the windshield.

That was before all the fancy schmancy super high tech stuff like ELECTRIC powered wipers, a defroster and doors....

Now.... GET OFF MY LAWN!

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[melendez69]

that is a wiper from a 1940's Willys. The original jeep. It goes through the top of the windshield frame. You grab the handle and move it back and forth to wipe the rain off the windshield.

That was before all the fancy schmancy super high tech stuff like ELECTRIC powered wipers, a defroster and doors....

Now.... GET OFF MY LAWN!

Go easy on me... I thought you were gonna tell me weren't gonna do Stonehenge tonight.
And I'm only............ 51!

 

[Hound Dog]

Go easy on me... I'm only............ 51!

Haha! Then you know the reference about the lawn! I only have 3 years on ya.

 

[Nc138]

Purchased this and the fit is great. Issue addressed:

ARES 70344-1/2-Inch Drive Black 9.84-Inch Aluminum Socket Organizer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B3YFZXT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_rlS6FbG48BCZ4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Overall there several area’s that need to be addressed on the JL, I think other vehicles/brands have their own set of problems but since there is no such community like with Jeep it’s less likely to know about them.

 

[LooselyHeldPlans]

I got 99 problems, but a defroster isn’t one.

 

[Mabar]

Winter is coming soon in the Midwest, so I might as well update this thread

I installed 5/8" square plastic plugs (14 of them) in my defroster vent last winter. This seems to REALLY help the defrost problem! See the attached photo.

DO NOT try to insert these plugs into the 3 larger holes on the left and right. See arrows. These plugs will fall through the 3 larger holes on each side.

I got them from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YSG2JB4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you look closely at the photo, I arranged the plugs and spaced them symmetrically. They almost look like they came this way from the factory.

Very happy with them.

Mabar

 

[four low]

Thanks for clarifying where they go, I went outboard of where they should have been, and gave up when 1 dropped through.
Will try again, just in time for Winter now

 

[californiajeeping]

 

[californiajeeping]

Great thread.
Frankly, it’s the only reason I’ve not ordered a new JL yet.
Waiting for FCA to remedy this colossal safety concern/issue. As a matter of fact, I’m ordering a new SUV in the new year. It would have been the JL, but after seeing your thread, it has reminded me to wait another year until/if FCA finally ameliorates this safety flaw...
I had this exact problem with my TJ & JKs!
It’s simply ridiculous!

Cheers all/B

Still happening in 2022 -https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/fca-windshield-defroster-coverage-fix-s1924000008.87666/post-1826857

 

[DavidArmen]

Great thread.
Frankly, it’s the only reason I’ve not ordered a new JL yet.

Are you being serious?

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Are you being serious?

Well their signature has them with a 21 JL, I'd say they were able to get over this travesty of a car manufacturer fault.

 

[wildphins]

This issue is really hard to believe in the year 2022. Like another poster, I was driving a 1973 CJ-5 (starting in 1976!) with a soft top. The defroster duct was a shaped piece of cardboard that was stapled together, so yes, one had to have a towel handy. I sold that and haven't had a Jeep since, until my girlfriend bought a 2021 JLU. She came home from work one snowy day and showed me the windshield. In 50 years they still don't have a defroster that works? Doesn't sound like the engineering challenge of the millennium! I will file a complaint, and try some of the suggested solutions!

 

[bohnster]

I have the plugs in my vent holes. I had to park outside my garage last night for the first time since buying my JLU and the windshield was iced over. Great opportunity to try the fix. I remote-started the Jeep while working out and pretty soon the outside edges were defrosted, even faster and better than the center. Agree that you shouldn't have to do this but the plugs look like the belong in the Jeep and they work...

 

[MILT]

I have this same problem; I keep a winter hat in the Jeep and put it over the middle defrost vents. The air then goes to the outside of the windshield
Same as my old TJ.

would I like to have a better system? Yes
Do I really care? No

Jeep still gives me smiles all winter long. I’ll take the crappy defrost in order to trail run wearing a T shirt at 0 degrees with the windows down and the heated seats on. Ymmv

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