Certain Jeep Wrangler SUVs and Gladiator Pickups are at risk of fire due to parts of the transmission overheating and FCA now faces a class action lawsuit. Let’s uncover the cause of the defect, which models are affected, and most importantly, what you can do to take back control over big automakers.
Why Were Jeep Models Recalled?
The Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, and Gladiator models of recent years with manual transmissions have a defect where the clutch pressure plate could overheat. The vehicle may lose power when driving in traffic, and there is a possible risk of fire.
The heated clutch plate could fracture and cause hot debris to ignite if it reacts with a source of ignition. The high temperatures cause a major defect in the vehicle which makes it undriveable too. The design flaw in the clutch also means that it could result in a fire due to the high forces and materials.
When driving, you will experience symptoms such as clutch slippage, burning smells, or warning lights on the dashboard if your model is one of those affected.
Which Jeep Models Are Affected?
Over 69,000 Jeep models are affected by this issue, but only those with manual transmissions. The exact model and model years affected by this particular recall are:
- Jeep Wrangler SUVs with manufacture date between Aug. 23, 2017, and Feb. 16, 2023
- Jeep Gladiator pickup trucks with a manufacture date between Dec. 21, 2018, and Feb. 16, 2023
Three years ago, in March 2020 there was another similar recall issued by Jeep to fix a smaller number of Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models. This latest recall is an expansion of this.
What Jeep Owners Need To Do Next
Although Jeep claims there is no current resolution to this issue, owners are having to pay out of pocket for these repairs themselves and are not happy. Jeep first tried to attempt to repair the issue by replacing the clutches on the affected models, but this was unsuccessful. The “repair” used the same faulty clutches and plates as before combined with ineffective software updates.
There have been 26 customer assistance records so far as of November 30, 2023, as well as 36 Warranty claims, six reports of failures in the field, a single injury, and zero crashes.
How Jeep Owners Can Take Back Control
While recalls have been communicated to owners, many continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers. These problems have the potential to escalate into further legal action, just like this – underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.
If you struggle with vehicle troubles and feel cornered against big vehicle brands, remember it is always better to have experts with you. With extensive experience and successful cases at hand, The Lemon Firm is your best bet. With the dedicated team members always at your disposal, the package becomes too good to be true. So, if your car is giving you a headache, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Call 833 Lemon Firm and speak with a case analyst today!