[kbeaumont]

Yes, I have not really had issues with any Chrysler before. My father retired from GM, my uncle from Ford I have received a bit of sometimes not so light hearted ribbing. I guess because I always wrenched most of my cars, I never really appreciated the need for a top quality service department. At my age and how crowded the engine compartment in a transverse mounted vehicle is. Other than oil & brake pads etc, those days are done. I assume that FCA will stand by their product and make it right. It is the months waiting with very little information that has me stressed. @JeepCares contacted my regional rep yesterday, still waiting on his call. I do appreciate them contacting him for me since I haven't had much luck. The first month before the issues really began I liked the Cherokee, though the transmission seemed to make its mission to rob all the fun out of the V6. Do all of them not like to shift down? My 2013 Wrangler was a whole lot of fun to drive with a lot more power than my 2011 Wrangler. I will say though, the KIA Sorento V6 AWD, isn't a bad vehicle that has been my loaner now for a couple months. Jeep needs to up its game in the Cherokee. A manual transmission or a better automatic would be the place to start. I'm glad you like your Cherokee, I don't for a minute think all of them are like mine. I see way too many on the road.

 

[goobnav]

1) I have never driven it off the lot with a check engine light. But 3 times it came back within 24 hours after it was supposedly 'fixed'. Same error. Once I didn't even make it home 8 miles away. And yes I brought it right back, which is why I haven't put even 50 miles on it since August. I have not had possession of the vehicle. I have been driving a series of loner vehicles that I had to get sales department to arrange because the service department initially refused. So the only ones driving it are them, and with my NASA vanity plate its hard to miss. I haven't sat in the car since 1 Nov and that was just to get stuff out of it.

2) I explained why: 40 miles vs about 8! Where I am located it is not many times practical to take it to the other Chrysler Dealers for service. Plus this vehicle has had a Star Case since August and a Chrysler engineer even come to look at it. The fact they called in help is the only reason that I kept it there. As I said, this is the first time I have ever really needed anything from their service department. I have bought 5 vehicles total from these guys. Like I stated before they are cheaper when they sell you a vehicle then their nearest Jeep Dealer usually by about 2 - 3 thousand dollars cheaper! I do shop around. Unfortunately for them after this is settled they won't get another dime in sales from me or my relatives. And since I am an Air Force retiree, a whole lot of the local service members now have learned about them. I have always known the service department sucks and would try and get maintenance done you don't need! This is the first time I have found out just how bad they really are. I am firmly convinced that had they really looked into the engine the first time I took it in then Chrysler wouldn't have had to replace it. But instead they first ignored it after the light went out and then just replaced a catalytic converter. They let a small engine noise become a bigger engine noise until it got so bad the engine started failing needed replacing. My wife's 2004 Sebring is still going strong for my niece. I had a dodge Avenger that lasted years and both of my Wrangler were relatively worry free. So I'm hoping Chrysler makes it right and I never have to deal with this dealer again. I have owned a lot of Chrysler vehicle since the 1970's including some late 60's early 70's muscle cars that are collector cars today. If things don't go well I may buy a Kia Sorento and that's not something A boy who grew up in a UAW family in Michigan would normally do!

Understand both situations, just your original post stated you drove off the lot with check engine light, appreciate the clarification!!


BTW, former USCG Aux, O-1, Father-in-Law is retired FCA, he and POS '11 GMC Terrain converted myself to FCA. Also nearest dealer to myself is 5 miles, wouldn't take my enemies vehicle their as they try to charge for unnecessary service and have way too many other brands they sell and their commercials are annoying as can be. My purchasing and servicing dealer is 20 miles, one way and, worth it.

 

[kbeaumont]

Cherokee Nightmare UPDATE

Friday the 21st the FCA rep called me but unfortunately could not provide me any information. Mainly he called because at the same time the service manager from the dealer arrived at my home with my Cherokee. The vehicle was detailed and after me putting about 150 miles on it it seems to be fixed. The FCA rep said he would contact me after New Years and should have the details of their offer. I am not ready to say it is fixed. I still don't know what other issues are lurking. The dealer service manager apologized and seems sincere. He told me we was well aware of the abysmal service department he inherited when he was hired around Thanksgiving. He told me he had to let 2 mechanics and a service rep go. So maybe they will get better. I hope so for other customers. I'm waiting, wondering what FCA will do. Because if I can I would like a different vehicle I'm just not confident at this point. And with all I have put up with, I want to know if they will make it right.

 

[kbeaumont]

Well I just received a call from the FCA rep and I'm so upset I can't see straight. He said that he is closing out the request for a buyback because the Cherokee is running right now. I got it back Dec 21st 2018 it is now Jan 3rd 2019. I was without the vehicle for 5 months, for 2 1/2 months I has in a car, I couldn't haul my band equipment. None of the vehicles I has loaned could pull a trailer. I had to make multiple trips to the dealer, the dealer has conveniently forgotten their promise of a maintenance agreement. Not to mention the stress, and all I get in return is a 1-800 number if something comes up? I KNEW they were going to pull this crap! Stall for months until they could get it running without a check engine light and then drop me. What a jerk! It is evening now but I will be calling that number, this is far far far from over!!!!

 

[hogeyphenogey]

Please update us on this- I've not been without mine for as long, but it's in for the third time in 2 months and it's pushing 15 business days in total- the Lemon Law in Mass. After that I have to send a letter and they get one more attempt.

Have you talked to the Attorney General in your state?

I'm ripshit for making payments while I'm driving either a rental or loaner- I cannot imagine 5 months of paying on a car in the shop!

 

[kbeaumont]

I have researched it and contacted the 1-800 number they are determined that a replacement vehicle is off the table. I feel they are dealing in bad faith because even though they were correct that from the time I contacted the company and gave notice they do have 1 chance to fix it. But conveniently he left off the part about them having 15 days to fix it. I gave notice to the company in November, I sent the notice to the address listed in the FCA care booklet. It was mailed overnight delivery on 14 November. They brought me the vehicle on 21 December. They offered to credit me 4 months of payments towards a maintenance agreement. I feel they will say anything to get out of replacing the vehicle. A lie by omission is still a lie.

 

[Gurgle]

Here's my thread on a similar thing. Guess I should be checking if we even have lemon laws in Ontario, Canada. Update, nope, we don't have lemon laws.

https://jeepcherokeeclub.com/33-engine-technical-discussion/238562-mil-unkown-cause.html#post2896112