Track bar frame weld issue recall! [Updated with official UA5 recall notice w/ repair procedure]

[RamMan]

Posted this before: My welds looked OK on my '18 JLU. I thought I would buy Rusty's Track Bar Brace ($110) just for insurance. Installed it; seems to drive a little better than before. It reminds me of Rack & Pinion Steering. Installation did something; the steering wheel center was now off about 30 degrees. Centered the steering wheel, & away I went. That front track bar mount is a little weak looking, compared to the rear track bar mount. I think Rusty's Brace cuts down on frame flex. Even without the brace, it drove better than my '12 JKU ever did. The JL's steering was redesigned.

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[FlatSixShooter]

Hi Gaust,
Our team would be happy to look into this further for you. Please send us a private message with your VIN!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Alex,

Please ping me as well...I also sent you a PM. I just learned that our Jeep was on the recall list (JLS May 2018 build) and repaired by selling dealer before I took delivery. The recall status on the MOPAR owners site says recall "Complete". So this morning, I put it up on my garage lift, and I can see that the upper track bar bracket has indeed been re-welded but it was a sloppy job. The upper track bar bracket area that was re-welded does not appear to have been taken to bare metal nor was the re-weld repainted. It is rusting at 1600 miles. It’s a line of metal “blobs, with some porosity and the re-weld has started cracking already. I have 1,600 miles total on this jeep in 5 months of ownership, since buying new in April. Most of these miles has been back and forth to two dealers for ESS issues, dead batteries, hairs and other debris in the clear coat, and overfilled oil (6 qrts vs 5) at break-in oil-change. I can post re-weld & crack pics, but it won’t make anyone proud. While our Jeep was on my lift, I have now seen other front end frame welds on my vehicle that have me even more concerned. The dealer hasn't even got to the Steering Dampener recall or '"steering wandering" that I suspect is related to re-welded track bar bracket, or track bar bushings or the original dampener.

Jeep has one more chance with me to correct these issues, make it a safe/usable vehicle for our family, or replace it, post haste.

 

[maddscot]

New owner here, and was checking into suspension kit/shocks and decided to do a once over on the corners. The pics attached are from the front driver and passenger only. Been in the automotive business for a bit (corporate heel) and really have not seen welds like these. Should I be concerned? Only the stabilizer recall since my purchase (2019 JLUR) that has been taken care of... 3500 miles to date...

 

[FlatSixShooter]

At least your driver side track bar bracket weld (last pic) looks good. The seam above it however looks like it was liquid JB Weld.

As noted above, I put my new JLUS up on my lift yesterday and the welds are a mess. Certainly the repair weld on my tracking bar bracket by selling dealer (done before delivery) was the worst, but a number of the welds are quite poor and look likely to fail. I looked at three other JLs yesterday on the street, and all had nice even tracker bar bracket welds, like yours. I’ve already opened a case, and we will be pursuing a remedy vigorously.

 

[JeepCares]

Alex,

Please ping me as well...I also sent you a PM. I just learned that our Jeep was on the recall list (JLS May 2018 build) and repaired by selling dealer before I took delivery. The recall status on the MOPAR owners site says recall "Complete". So this morning, I put it up on my garage lift, and I can see that the upper track bar bracket has indeed been re-welded but it was a sloppy job. The upper track bar bracket area that was re-welded does not appear to have been taken to bare metal nor was the re-weld repainted. It is rusting at 1600 miles. It’s a line of metal “blobs, with some porosity and the re-weld has started cracking already. I have 1,600 miles total on this jeep in 5 months of ownership, since buying new in April. Most of these miles has been back and forth to two dealers for ESS issues, dead batteries, hairs and other debris in the clear coat, and overfilled oil (6 qrts vs 5) at break-in oil-change. I can post re-weld & crack pics, but it won’t make anyone proud. While our Jeep was on my lift, I have now seen other front end frame welds on my vehicle that have me even more concerned. The dealer hasn't even got to the Steering Dampener recall or '"steering wandering" that I suspect is related to re-welded track bar bracket, or track bar bushings or the original dampener.

Jeep has one more chance with me to correct these issues, make it a safe/usable vehicle for our family, or replace it, post haste.

Hi FlatSixShooter,
I have received your private message and will continue assisting your further from there!

New owner here, and was checking into suspension kit/shocks and decided to do a once over on the corners. The pics attached are from the front driver and passenger only. Been in the automotive business for a bit (corporate heel) and really have not seen welds like these. Should I be concerned? Only the stabilizer recall since my purchase (2019 JLUR) that has been taken care of... 3500 miles to date...

Hi maddscot,
If you decide to have your dealer look into this, feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to assist.

Alex
Jeep Cares

 

[maddscot]

Hi maddscot,
If you decide to have your dealer look into this, feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to assist.

Alex
Jeep Cares

Will do, pIan on reviewing with the local dealer I bought from on 1st maintenance (7500m) should be next month at the rate I am putting mileage on.

 

[JeepCares]

Will do, pIan on reviewing with the local dealer I bought from on 1st maintenance (7500m) should be next month at the rate I am putting mileage on.

Sounds good, maddscot! We're here if you need us.
Alex
Jeep Cares

 

[FlatSixShooter]

Hi FlatSixShooter,
I have received your private message and will continue assisting your further from there!


Alex
Jeep Cares

Thanks Alex. I will PM you requested info. I have appt set up with local dealer Monday 10/7.

 

[FlatSixShooter]

Thanks Alex. I will PM you requested info. I have appt set up with local dealer Monday 10/7.

So after 4 months, my Track Bar bracket weld has STILL not been properly repaired. more to follow, including pics of faulty weld and equally faulty weld repairs by FCA.
And now I see I also have the man trans pressure plate safety recall and fire hazard- “no remedy available”.

Thanks FCA !



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