Outsider looking in

[DCOURTS]

I've been a big Toyota guy for a while and have always been on the fence about buying a Wrangler Unlimited. Almost bought a JK but went 4Runner route instead. Now I'm back to being intrigued with the roll out of the JL. Jeep looks amazing, has everything you could want minus the big price tag.

My hang up is (and I know the history of issues with previous generations, etc), there seems to be an awful lot of issues, problems, horror stories with the JL. Leaky coolant, wobbly steering wheels, of course the well publicized bad welds, etc.

I know the problems and complaints get all the attention and you never hear enough about all the people who bought one and enjoying with no issue, but is it just me or does the JL seem to have more issues than normal?

Again, not to spark a war on the forums, just curious to hear from experienced Jeep owners and followers as I admit, I'm a curious outsider looking in.

Thanks

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[W1ck3d]

The only time people are going to complain is when something goes wrong... Dont let the fourms trick you into thinking all jls are having quality issues.... The 3 common things people are complaining about is steering, death wobble, and you see alot of people with battery issues.. The frame welds was a minor use and it seems like alot of that issue was cleared up... The other 3 issues are not ones that i believe should steer you away from deciding to get one.... Like i said the only time people complain is when something goes wrong... You dont see nearly as many people talking about how much they love their jeep... And you are on and internet fourm where a small amount of people are gathered versus the worlds population who drive the new jl... Look around in the other sections and see what people are saying... I see a ton of people talking about how much they love their jl and i have talked to tobs of memvers on here about how they like their jl... Dont let peoples opinions make the decision for you... Go test drive one and see how it feels and performs

 

[DCOURTS]

I cant believe the death wobble is still an issue in 2019. How is that possible?

 

[GhostActual762]

If I really wanted a JL I would personally wait, their going to be making them every day for years. I’m not even going to take the chance with these headaches others are having.

Major issues like

steering lock up
death wobble
service “insert literally anything related to the JL”
really weak glass
pull over engine will shut off in 10 sec
Defroster melting itself off the glass
Transmission limp mode ....ect when all these sensors start going bad in the JL’s this part of the forum will explode.

I could handle a few minor quality control issues like fit n finish, a little rattle here and there, maybe even a humming from the drivetrain on a brand new vehicle but they haven’t come close to perfecting their consistency yet.

I’ve owned new ford/chevy/toyotas and absolutely none of them had issues coming close to the JL. The JL seemed very rushed and not thoroughly tested, or FCA’s over all quality control is being run by the last two brain cells of nancy pelosi.

I will keep my 18 JK Recon(zero issues in 15k miles) for a very long time if the JL has anything to do with it.

It really all comes down to you though, roll the dice(odds are probably in your favor) or sit and wait for the issues to be fixed in house rather than an aftermarket fix.

My .02 and good luck!

 

[W1ck3d]

I cant believe the death wobble is still an issue in 2019. How is that possible?

Solid axels

 

[GhostActual762]

Solid axels

I mean....not really lol. All the solid axle vehicles i’ve owned never had death wobble. 1979 Ford Bronco with 6” lift and 36” super swamper TSLs never have death wobble(dana 44), 2000 F250 super duty 4” lift 35” BFGs never had death wobble(Dana 50), my current JK doesn’t have death wobble(Dana 44).

JL steering components are subpar. They can’t even roll out of the factory without issues. The issue is either the engineered steering system (FCA’s fault) or the supplier of the steering components (FCAs fault for not keeping tabs on quality which effect their product they sell to people with money).

At the end of the day a bad product needs recalled but FCA knows Wrangler culture best and there’s gobs of people out there that will drop gobs of money on over engineered, underbuilt products. Don’t you know the saying? “It’s a Jeep thing”

 

[W1ck3d]

As far as steering goes... Ive driven 10s of thousands of jls and never came across the steering problems people have described... And believe me im not discrediting people.. Maybe a little loose/wandering, but nothing severe enough for service.... The death wobble i have yet to experience myself as well and believe me i am no granny driver..... But i get what you're saying but i get what you are saying, and ive also seen the same exact problems with jks, but the difference is they have been building jks for 11 years so that means 11 years of fine tuning things... The jl will get there and it is getting better.... Then again we are on a fourm on the internet... Its not like every problem you see on this fourm happens on every single car that comes off the line... You cant base the vehicle's issues and quality of the maybe what 15,000 members on this fourm... 15,000 vs probably 200-300 thousand wranglers made/sold?

 

[nerubi]

Same BS when I read the JK forums when I bought my 2012. Worst vehicle ever made! How can Jeep build such junk? I'll never buy another one again. Mine finally needed a new radiator cap after 7 years.
Every single brand has issues...Ford just recalled over 2 million F-150s for transmission and fire issues. Yet they are the best selling vehicle for years. If you are that scared of buying any vehicle because it might have an issue (go read any vehicle forum and you'll see the same doomsday complaints) then you shouldn't buy anything. The vast majority of Wrangler owners do not have any major issues. But anything that is mechanical and designed/built by humans will have some issues.

 

[W1ck3d]

I mean are you not going to buy a product you really want off amazon because out of the 10,000 reviews there are 20 people who gave it 1 star? Not every single product is going to be perfect especially with something that is mass produced like a wrangler where they build 1100 a day... Sometimes things break and its unfortunate but that is why we have warrenties..... You can't say the jl is a terrible vehicle and has crap quality because a few people have had problems

 

[GhostActual762]

Same BS when I read the JK forums when I bought my 2012. Worst vehicle ever made! How can Jeep build such junk? I'll never buy another one again. Mine finally needed a new radiator cap after 7 years.
Every single brand has issues...Ford just recalled over 2 million F-150s for transmission and fire issues. Yet they are the best selling vehicle for years. If you are that scared of buying any vehicle because it might have an issue (go read any vehicle forum and you'll see the same doomsday complaints) then you shouldn't buy anything. The vast majority of Wrangler owners do not have any major issues. But anything that is mechanical and designed/built by humans will have some issues.

Case in point Ford RECALLED those vehicles before millions of vehicles caused deaths, FCA has yet to recall. Thats why people buy Fords and keep the F150 on top.
FCA has the responsibility to fix these deal breaking issues. But I guess no one really knows how bad/frustrating it is until it happens to them.

I remember the JK trans fire hazard around 2012 wasn’t it? Other than that the 3.8’s blowing up and the trans fires where the big two?

It’s just bandaids and sorry’s from FCA until they get it right. All the more reason to wait.

 

[GhostActual762]

I mean are you not going to buy a product you really want off amazon because out of the 10,000 reviews there are 20 people who gave it 1 star? Not every single product is going to be perfect especially with something that is mass produced like a wrangler where they build 1100 a day... Sometimes things break and its unfortunate but that is why we have warrenties..... You can't say the jl is a terrible vehicle and has crap quality because a few people have had problems

Idk maybe it’s just me but 10’s of thousands of JLs???? Lol

It’s up to the buyer to put down their hard earned cash for something that might not be worth their hard earned cash(sure as hell not mine).

OP sorry this got derailed, if you like those yotas i’de say stay over there until the JL is proven a little bit more unless you want the risk! I think I can hear the Jeep dealerships from here “sorry we couldn’t replicate the problem”

 

[W1ck3d]

Yes.... I have a job that consists of me being very familiar with jls... Jts as well

 

[nerubi]

Case in point Ford RECALLED those vehicles before millions of vehicles caused deaths, FCA has yet to recall. Thats why people buy Fords and keep the F150 on top.
FCA has the responsibility to fix these deal breaking issues. But I guess no one really knows how bad/frustrating it is until it happens to them.

I remember the JK trans fire hazard around 2012 wasn’t it? Other than that the 3.8’s blowing up and the trans fires where the big two?

It’s just bandaids and sorry’s from FCA until they get it right. All the more reason to wait.

Hasn't even been an accident reported to NHTSA for Jk or JL steering. Have been crashes and fires for the F-150.
Because it hasn't happened to most Wrangler owners. Only 300 to 400 steering problems of all types officially reported. Weld problems were for a limited set during the beginning of production and were recalled.
2012 had the 3.6 and no fires that I remember.
So go back to F-150 and make my day. How many 150s do you see on the trails? Oh right, none.

 

[W1ck3d]

Hasn't even been an accident reported to NHTSA for Jk or JL steering. Have been crashes and fires for the F-150

I was going to say.... The question that boggles my mind is why did ford issue a recall?... Most likely because events took place

 

[Dkretden]

I mean are you not going to buy a product you really want off amazon because out of the 10,000 reviews there are 20 people who gave it 1 star? Not every single product is going to be perfect especially with something that is mass produced like a wrangler where they build 1100 a day... Sometimes things break and its unfortunate but that is why we have warrenties..... You can't say the jl is a terrible vehicle and has crap quality because a few people have had problems

Of course, on Amazon if the reviews for the product turn out to be true within a short period after delivery, you can return the product and get your money back. Doesn’t quite work that way with a vehicle. So, since it doesn’t work that way with a vehicle, lots of potential buyers come to places like this to gather information.

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