[ARD]

Hi,

I am trying to seek some help from people who have knowledge of Jeep Cherokee. I am planning to buy a used Jeep Cherokee model of 2016 with a V6 3.2 engine. It has 32k miles on it and is fully loaded with features at a good price. But there has been some issue with the factory fitted tow hitch in the Cherokee I test drive today. It has some rust on it which has been disturbing my mind. I asked the dealer about it and they said that it is normal in cars in New England region to have some rust and it cant be covered in warranty. For your knowledge this is a certified vehicle from Jeep and they claim 7 years/100k miles powertrain warranty but does not cover this rust thing. Is there a possibility that this rust spread to other areas of the vehicle with time and corrode things like chassis and stuff. Please let me know what you guys think. Should I drop this deal or it is not a deal breaker. Also I have another concern that whether the vehicle has been used for heavy towing in past creating any engine or weakening the engine.

Regards

 

[sanghill]

Welcome to the Club.
Rust on the hitch weld seams is normal. Look under the rear of the Jeep and all of the welds will be rusty.
I haven't figured out why paint doesn't adhere to welds, but it doesn't.
Don't worry about the rust, there are plenty of other things to worry about. i.e. the battery, connections & IBS.
Get a CarFax report and study it.
Check for recalls at jeep.com and make sure they are completed.
Make sure you have the improved transmission. There is a recall for the Jeeps with the less good PTU splines.
Have a Jeep Service Advisor print a VIP report and discuss what it says.
Surf this site and you will get so paranoid you won't buy anything.

 

[JeffD]

My 2016 3.2 has been the very image of reliability. Had a couple of recalls done with no issues so far. Had to have the steering wheel replaced under warranty due to the leather cracking (5K miles) and the rear spoiler over the window also under warranty (10K) when the seal started to pull out from between the spoiler and the body. I have 29,900 on it and it has been behind my Motorhome for another 8-10K miles as a toad. Rust happens and rust on a hitch is not surprising or a deal breaker on a 4 year old car. I am in dry country and my rock rails (RRO see other threads) rust everywhere that a rock takes it's toll. Once a year I inspect and rattle can with rustoleum and am good to go.

 

[SkipW]

Welcome, I will also say that rust on the hitch is not of great concern. I have a 2014 with Tow Group and tow daily. My 2014 has been a great vehicle and not had issues. Agree with checking a report on service from the dealer to see about all updates and recalls.

 

[jeepreaper]

Rust on the hitch is common, it's been there on both of my Cherokees. I use Fluid Film to prevent it from spreading.

 

[ARD]

Thank you all for your advices and really Appreciate you guys. I also gave it a thought and decided to proceed with the deal. If needed I will get that part replaced or removed as I don't need a tow hitch for my usage. I may also try to get it cleaned and painted prior to that. I have checked the Carfax thoroughly guys and the car has no accident or recall history. Twice it has been PCM reprogrammed and front brake rotors have been replaces that is the only service repair done so far on this car. I asked them whether the PCM reprogram can some issue or re occur in future they said that it is unlikely as it was fixed in 2018. Let me know your views. I just love the car it is very comfortable and drives good and has lot of features like navigation, leather seats, heated, remoted start adaptive cruise control, etc and stuff and I am getting all that in 20.5k USD with Jeep certified powertrain . Feel like it is a good deal and thinking to proceed. Let me know if any thoughts.

 

[sanghill]

Keep the factory hitch, you can put in a tow hook if you need to pull something.
I also use mine for a bamboo bumper. You might want to get a small bumper or a step.
I quickly learned the Cherokee does not have a bumper, all I did was backup into trees and dent the deck lid.
Check out companies that sell trailer hitch and towing stuff. TSC has great stuff.
I also use the 7-pin receptacle for a back-up light and/or back-up beeper so I can warn pedestrians in parking lots.
You will find the back up camera at night is practically useless. The extra light makes it useable again.

 

[Reel Crazy]

Agree with above, KEEP the hitch. Its great for a bike racks as well as storage racks for traveling with things you do not want in the Jeep. The warranty is great, your covered 7 years after the service date. Also suggest to cruise around this site, Most are great. Mine, not so great. Search results for query: problems with 2016.

 

[ARD]

Thanks everyone makes sense to keep the trailer hitch. May be I will clean and paint it in a decent way to prevent further rusting.

 

[sanghill]

Lets us know what kind of primer coat a top coat works.
Apparently the steel in a weld does not let paint adhere to it.
Back in the bad ole days I would use roof tar on rust, it would hide everything.

 

[UN4GTBL]

The rust on the hitch is basically cosmetic. My Cherokee has it too unfortunately. Look at other vehicles with hitches, and you will see that they are rusty too.

 

[Pearl]

Hi,

I am trying to seek some help from people who have knowledge of Jeep Cherokee. I am planning to buy a used Jeep Cherokee model of 2016 with a V6 3.2 engine. It has 32k miles on it and is fully loaded with features at a good price. But there has been some issue with the factory fitted tow hitch in the Cherokee I test drive today. It has some rust on it which has been disturbing my mind. I asked the dealer about it and they said that it is normal in cars in New England region to have some rust and it cant be covered in warranty. For your knowledge this is a certified vehicle from Jeep and they claim 7 years/100k miles powertrain warranty but does not cover this rust thing. Is there a possibility that this rust spread to other areas of the vehicle with time and corrode things like chassis and stuff. Please let me know what you guys think. Should I drop this deal or it is not a deal breaker. Also I have another concern that whether the vehicle has been used for heavy towing in past creating any engine or weakening the engine.

Regards

Sounds Like a Good deal the Vin will tell you about recalls not sure about the Trany thing but they are a great car love mine but its a 2020 loaded most comfortable seats ever