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Can you tell me if your "Service 4wd system" issue was resolved? My Commander just started sending that signal and I made an appointment to bring it in tomorrow. I just wanted to get an idea if you were told what was causing the problem. Thanks.
Yesterday evening I noticed the brake pedal was far away when I was stopped, I actually thought I had moved the pedals by mistake. Then on the way home, at every stop, the brake pedal would sink to the floor. This morning it was the same on my 2 mile trip to work and the last few stops I had to use the emergency brake to come to a full stop.
What a total piece of junk. I should have stuck with BMW.
The starting problem was corrected by them replacing some kind of module. It has started fine since I picked it up. The sunroof problem is now intermittent, so they couldn't fix it. They said they could hear no rattle, but tighted up a bunch of stuff. I still hear it.
Ugh, how frustrating.
Now I know why they offer all those incentives......
I have an 07 and after numerous times of it going to the shop and not for one day rather a week plus each and every time – they brought in the big-guy who travels all over the Midwest service wise to look at it. However, interestingly, it wasn’t he who figured it out it was our own Libertyville service rep – it came in for this so much the guys there decided to see what might have been different with the ‘08’s (I got mine in 07) so they checked out any differences with the door sill and sealing and, sure enough, all it took was them duplicating the way the ‘08’s were with """slits""" in the rubber residing under the door and low and behold – it seems remedied and thus far doesn't appear to be further pooling up with tremendous water as before. Mind you I say “”seems remedied”” as I am still slightly cautious and looking at it as a glass have empty until winter time.
The other problem whereby the electronics disable on the door (for the seat programming) when programming driver one or driver two - well, that's still not fixed and this too they've looked at it quite a bit.
However, again, the fact that the water in the door sills has been rectified is positively wonderful. Had to share as I've been dumping about the never-ending saga with this and I do hope this helps someone with the same problem.
Hope that aids somewhat and serves as something for you to go by, do let me know.
Not to belittle anyone on the board, but if you are having problems your Commander within the warranty period, your remedy is to have Jeep (Chrysler) fix it. If your dealer can't or won't fix it, then you really need to get a new dealer. Chrysler rates their dealers and 5 Star dealers have to work to keep their good rating. So you should only go to a 5 star dealer IMHO.
Also, when the dealer says he fixed something (and this applies to all car repair work, whether under warranty or not) you should insist on seeing the old parts and inspecting them to assure that work was actually done. Now, if you don't know a fan blade from a wiper blade you're not going to be able to discover a possible fraud (yes dealers do sometimes say they fixed a part and don't - and still bill the warranty work out to Chrysler), but merely asking to see the parts is a good practice and if they don't have them, you know something is really not right.
Very important is that you keep all of your receipts and that your receipts have a clear description of the problems that you are encountering. If they are not fixed properly within the Original Warranty period, you have recourse against Chrysler. You have to notify them in writing, usually within 60 days of the failed repair, and the warranty will not expire as to the problem being repaired.
And just to be clear, Chrysler is not the Dealer. Dealers are independent franchises and not under the control of Chrysler at all. So if your dealer is a bum and can't or won't fix your problem, it's not Chrysler or Jeep that you should hate....But repeatedly going to a dealer that doesn't fix your car is YOUR fault. Fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.
For some reason, I get good service from my dealer and they actually fix anything that is not working. The Commander has some issues - but all car makes and models do - just go to the NHTSA site and see the list of recalls. It will blow your mind. Japanese, German, American, no one is immune.
But that is why there are warranties. And while frustrating, unnerving and even scary, the bargain made by any new car buyer with the manufacturer is that the company will pay for the repairs during the warranty period. And generally they do...unless you have a bad dealer.
Unfortunately with new models of cars such as the Commander (new in 2006), there are inevitable production problems that don't manifest themselves until thousands of vehicles are already on the road. Again...common to all car makers and models.
I see a lot of "talk" of class action suits and lemon law suits from some owners. While sometimes successful, that is no easy route to satisfaction. I've seen it many times and it compounds frustration. You think Car Dealers are frustrating?? Now you want to hire a lawyer? Wow...that's like adding salt to a wound. And by hire...I mean you enter into a contingency agreement...you haven't really paid them anything until and if you win and they get their fees. So don't expect them to jump when you want them to jump. It's just another case of many...and it's a long road...so don't expect a quick resolution.
I like my Commander. It's a great looking SUV. The fit and finish are very good, though not perfect. The ride is superlative and quiet compared to my prior Suburban. It has good power for a V6. Mileage is acceptable for the size, but is certainly not a strong point.
I would recommend the Commander. I believe I am in the vast "silent majority" here. You just don't hear from us because we aren't surfing the web searching for answers to our car problems or posting them on forums. Not to say that your problems are not legitimate, but 191 posts and there are thousands of Commanders on the road....any many of the owners are happy.
In short, take these Forums with a grain of salt. Don't be afraid to test drive a Commander. You might like it. Rent one for a weekend and see for yourself.
I contacted a lemon-law attorney today and the process has begun. When I was at the dealer today I asked the cashier to print out my service history. At the very top it had "Days in service - 19". She looked at it and said "Do they have your mileage correct?" I said "Yep, that's thirty five hundred". She didn't say another word.
And, carzinmegenes, this has nothing to do with the dealer. They don't manufacture the ignition modules in the vehicles. This is a Chrysler issue and the fact that they make crap for cars.
Were you getting water on the carpet too? It is possible to post a picture of the slits that they put into the rubber trim? Was it the rubber under the door or the rubber around the door?
I'm getting some water on the driver's side floor after a good rain. Can't seem to find any leak evidence anywhere but the wet carpet.
So, what was the culprit?
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Best,
That's what I was asking about.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I have pictures if anyone cares to see them ...
You can post them right here - click on the link at the bottom of the page if you need help posting pictures.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
So here it is Monday, 10/13/08. I'm still in the crappy Sebring rental as on Friday I was told they could not find a remedy for my stalling problem. I'm guessing that Chrysler Rep. will not be present when/if I can go pick up my "fine vehicle" that I've only been able to manage to put 5k miles on in 8 months because it's in the shop for weeks at a time.
:lemon:
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Did replacing the transmission fix your problems? Thanks!
However, assuming it's a 3.7 L like mine (which is a 2006), you might be describing the "feature" which limits the slippping of one or more tires, by 1) automatically applying the brake to the slipping wheel(s) and 2) lowering engine RPM. The noise you are hearing may be the brakes being applied. The engine slowing would make no noise, but it would mean that your foot is not controlling the throttle...it is being computer controlled. This is supposed to avoid making you spin out of control on wet roads, snow or ice. OR...
You could be describing a cold engine/trans symptom that I have encountered only once, when it was -6 in Chicago last month and the engine/trans had not warmed up for more than a few minutes. This I indeed attributed to the possibility of foul gasoline and I put a bottle of Fuel Injection Cleaner in the tank. I have not encountered the problem since and it has been darn cold.
So far I really like my Jeep. It is very sure footed in the snow. Much more so than my old Suburban.
AR
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