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VA's Lemon law is pretty straightforward and very partial to the consumer. However, there are some very specific steps you must follow in order to be able to take advantage of it. I followed them to the letter after some advice from a local Lemon LAw attorney and the Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs and have had no problems getting Chrysler's attention. I didnt have to involve an attorney and unless you are looking to get something beyond the what Lemon Law says you are entitled to, you probably shouldnt either. However, I do believe that the District Manager I dealt with and my local dealership, made a differnece in the process.
After attempting to resolve the stalling problem on four different occasions, I began the process of requesting a buyback, citing Virginia's Lemon law. I wrote a CERTIFIED letter to Chrysler, accompanied by all my repair receipts and documented in as much detailI as possible all my stalling issues. I was fortunate in that my vehicle stalled in fornt of the dealership one day after picking it up from an unsuccessful repair attempt. They atcahed a computer right away and no codes were present. I stated that this was their last attempt to fix the problem-apparently after written notification, they have only one more opportunity to repair the vehicle. I explained that I no longer felt safe in the vehicle and that I was requesting a buyback of the vehicle under Virginia's Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act.
I received a call from a Chrysler District Manager less than two weeks later who offered either a replacement or buyback. He was very professional and admitted that i had been inconvenienced and it was his commitment to fix the siutation for us. As much as I loved the Commander, I was no longer confident in the product and did not want another one. I elected the buyback and was contacted a week or so later from Impartial Services group, Chrysler's arbitration contractor. I sent them a copy of my purchase agreement, registration and a few other details and soon after received a computation for repurchase.
My vehicle was leased, so they are paying off the lease, returning our payments tax, tags, fees, etc less an allowance for mileage. I will be going today to pick up my check and sign over the vehicle. I must admit, the District Manager I dealt with and the rep at Impartial Services were very professional, responsive and helpful throughout the process. The situation with the vehicle was unfortunate, but I have no complaints about anyone I have dealt with at Chrysler from purchase to turn in.
I am, not trying to throw Chrysler under the bus, since the way they handled my complaint was nothing short of professional. But since this stalling issue is well documented and involves a Federal probe, they shouldnt have much of a leg to stand on if you proceed properly. At worst, you shoudl be reasonably expect to be able to have your vehicle replaced and at best, Chrysler should offer to take it off your hands.
I have tons of links to information on VA Lemon Law. Of course it varies from state to state, but it can be helpful in pursuing your own case, should you choose to. Feel free to email me directly at csamos2@msn.com and I will send you what i have
Also, check out the Commander's Technical Service Bulletins (aka TSBs)
VERY INFORMATIVE !!!!!!!
http://www.xkjeeps.com/tsb/tsb_xk_2300406.pdf
The dealers have NO excuse NOT to know about ANY and ALL TSBs !!!
When you take your vehicle in for service, INSIST that all TSBs be accounted for for your vehicle!
You, Your Vehicle and the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)
How do you know TSB 18-049-07 fixes a 2006 4x2 4.7L? I could not see the stalling info anywhere in it? "momentary ESP actuation with an associated short lack of throttle response" doesn't quite explain that it dies and you loose power steering and brakes on the frreway or railroad tracks.
I hope you are right so I dont have to waste 2 hours a week with Chrysler, the NTHSA or the Texas Lemon Law
It has always happened when my wife drives so I cant comment on how difficult braking and steering is. I think its the "Oh Sh*@! - it happened again!" panic factor more than anything else.
Just picked it up fprm the dealer who says the fix was "flash PCM (Powertrain Control Module) - STAR solution K50951304" and described it as a SW update to prevent the sensor from cutting off oxygen at throtlle and killing the engine. I could not google that fix and have not talked to the tech yet. Any advise where to look to see of this is legit?
If you could anwser some of the following questions, I would really appreciate it.
1.Does this happen at any particular vehicle speed ?
2.Does it happen on accelleration or decelleration ?
3. What do the instrument panel gauges do when it happens ?
4. Do any other accessories in the vehicle become inop when it happens? ex: radio, headlamps, turn signals, gauges, etc...
5. Are you making or receiving a cell phone call within 3 seconds of this happening ?
6. Were you within 500 feet of a cell tower or radio/ tv tower or any other kind of communications tower or equipment?
7. Was a tractor trailer within 100 feet of you when this happened?
8. Did you notice any vehicles within 100ft around you with large antennas or police or emergency vehicles?
9. Were you within 500 feet of any high tension power lines?
10. Were you driving over a dam that produces hydroelectric power?
11. Were you within 1/2 mile of a nuclear plant?
12 How much fuel was in the fuel tank when this happened?
13. Does it occur more at certian fuel levels?
14. What was the outside air temp when this happened?
15. Is it more noticeable in certain weather conditions?
16. Do you operate any other aftermarket radio or video transmitting equipment?
Well this is a start. I know some of these questions sound strange. but trust me. you would be suprised what can affect electronics. Take the issue in the mid 80's to 90's when Volkswagen had a random engine stall issue. The cause was found to be RF "radio frequency" from a passing semi, ie " trucker talking on his cb, which had a linear amplifier attached to it. Thank you very much for your time
thanks jeeptech1
Incidentally, you have up to 30 minutes to edit a message after posting it.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
TSB 18-049-07 fixes this problem. Please refer to that. Don't waste your time trying to investigate this and figure out what causes it. The fix is known and released to dealers on Dec.13. Just flash any customer vehicle 3.7, 4.7 and it will cure the low speed stalling and the momentary lack of throttle response due to the ESP system.
When NHTSA updates their website with Chrysler's response you can read about it there.
I refused that offer. Why would I want to put a few thousand in my pocket just to continue to own a vehicle I can't drive? I told my attorney that I wish to continue with the court preceedings. I also stated that I want Chrysler to purchase my vehicle back. He said OK. A fews weeks ago Chrysler agreed to buy back my vehicle. They were willing to pay for the accessories except for the ipod connector I had purchased through their parts department. Everything else is after market. Still waiting on the green light to take my :lemon: back to the dealer and get my check. Thanks for finally coming through Chrysler. Its sad that a law suit had to be filed because you blew me off and Consumer Affairs. Good Luck to the rest of you.
I am just became a mbr of this site in order to research the prob that I have been encountering with my 2006 Jeep Commander. I am late in the game, can you please explain what problems you have been having. My jeep has been stalling for the last 6 months on and off and i have taken it to the dealership 4 times already. They claim it's this or that but nothing seems to work. To top that off, I am about 900 miles away from my 36000 miles with no extended warranty. Please explain your situation so that I can decide what to do. Get a lawyer, trade it or what?
2.Does it happen on accelleration or decelleration ? ACCEL/COAST
3. What do the instrument panel gauges do when it happens ? RANDOMLY TURN ON/OFF
4. Do any other accessories in the vehicle become inop when it happens? ex: radio, headlamps, turn signals, gauges, etc... RANDOM ON/OFF of radio, all dash/warning lights, gauges. and it's not usually all on off at the same time. usually at the first instance, the whole thing lights up and then one at a time they randomly turn on and off. i haven't noticed the headlamps/turn signals affected.
5. Are you making or receiving a cell phone call within 3 seconds of this happening ? NO
6. Were you within 500 feet of a cell tower or radio/ tv tower or any other kind of communications tower or equipment? NO IDEA
7. Was a tractor trailer within 100 feet of you when this happened? NO
8. Did you notice any vehicles within 100ft around you with large antennas or police or emergency vehicles? NO
9. Were you within 500 feet of any high tension power lines? NO IDEA
10. Were you driving over a dam that produces hydroelectric power? NO
11. Were you within 1/2 mile of a nuclear plant? NO
12 How much fuel was in the fuel tank when this happened? VARIES
13. Does it occur more at certian fuel levels? NO
14. What was the outside air temp when this happened? VARIED
15. Is it more noticeable in certain weather conditions? NO
16. Do you operate any other aftermarket radio or video transmitting equipment? NO
_______
Please see my original post # 144. I've had 4 occurances since then.
only the first time, did i lose power steering and power brakes.
every other instance involved the dashboard only (warning lights going crazy, turning on and off, gauges not working, etc.)
it appears completely random. a few times it occurred right after starting up and backing out of a parking space.
other times, just driving down the road at speeds between 25 and 45 mph.
of course, it leaves no codes and is unreproducible.
once, it occurred when i was near a jeep dealership, i drove straight there and it was still in progress (about half the warning lights were still lit, the gauges had started working again though) -- every service bay door was closed, there was no technician available to put it on the scope!!
each and every time, after shutting off the ignition and waiting a short pause, it restarted and ran normally.
exception - once, a single warning light remained lit into the next day.
I am an owner of a 2008 Jeep Commander Overland and we've been experiencing a few issues with it lately.
FIRST - Stalled on my wife while she was driving our daughter back from a Pediatricians appointment. (The Dealership stated that they fixed the stalling issue with a TSB software update)
SECOND - Sometimes it will just not start! This issue has happened to both me and my wife. Insert the Key FOB into the slot, turn, and nothing.. nadda! Usually after the 2nd or 3rd attempt the truck will start. (The truck is currently at the dealership and has been there for a week for them to try and fix the issue. They can't reproduce the problem so they don't know how to fix it.) I know my wife and I aren't crazy... We are not making this up. Sometimes the truck will just not start.
THIRD - The MyGIG DvD player freezes and locks up. When this happens you can't utilize any of the buttons, can't eject the DVD, and so far the only resolution is to turn the truck off and then back on. The dealership has replaced the MyGIG system 3 times and we still experience this issue.
Any other Commander or JGC owners experiencing the same issues? Has your dealership fixed your problem and if so what did they do?
Unfortunately its gotten to the point where this 6 month old truck with just over 5000 miles has been in for "service" more times then all of my prior Jeep Grand Cherokees combined. According to Rhode Island State Law the truck is now classified as a "Lemon" but we are hoping to not go down that path.
Anyone???
-Eric in Rhode Island
i have some questions for you if you you will?
what does BBB stand for and how od i contact them?
i have has so many problems with my commander.
the stalling, the window whistle, wet floors in the morining when i get into my car and it didn't rain the night before!!!! you name it! the list is so long.
how do i get in touch with the BBB?
the even more frustrating thing is....
EVERYTIME i take it into the dealer to get fixed, they call to tell me my car is ready, i go to get it and attempt to drive it off the lot and something new is wrong with it. for example, i took it in to have my back up sensor lights fixed. when i picked it up they said nothing was wrong with it. i drove off the lot and my AC was going on and off and all my warning lights were going on and off too.
turned right around and told them what happened.
when i picked my jeep up AGAIN they told me my a.c. was not working correctly because it was my ignition switch and they had to replace it.
i attempted to drive it off the lot and my front (power) windows wouldn't roll down!
does anybody know what the ignition switch powers????? does it have anything to do with powering my windows and other non engine things in my car???? my problems sound electrical and every time someone works on my car some new problem happens!
i am going to pick my jeep up tomorrow and i want to be prepared!!!!!!
help!
FYI- my jeep is a 2006 only has 15,000 miles on it.
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 understand there is is cabin air filter. Is this the source of the recurring odor? and I can't find a repair manual showing the location of this item.
Does anyone have a diagram showing the location.
Thanks.
I also noticed that when driving it in town (Westport, CT,i.e., slow going here because everyone takes great pride in driving no more than 30mph when they're not driving 25) it feels like it needs me (I'm a game theorist/international relations and not an engineer so i apologize with errors in vernacular) to put more pressure on the gas pedal, once i do that it runs more smoothly.
I spoke with local dealer where it was purchased and their mechanic who has been there for one year said that he's never seen this problem; but, now i see that there's an entire forum on the issue.
Has anyone had experiene of receiving the remedying diagnosis for this? Because it happens so infrequently, I don't want to drop off at dealer (they'll say that they can't replicate it).
Thanks,
S.F.
Recalls Summary
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
JEEP / COMMANDER 2006
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08V203000
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 24,461 MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L V8 ENGINES. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence:
THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM SOFTWARE IN ALL 4.7L ENGINE EQUIPPED MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDERS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 11, 2006. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER RECALL NO. H19. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Georgetown Jeep in Westport, CT and even Chrysler headquarters when they went through list of recalls - go figure - didn't find the one that pertained to my car!
I am looking forward to my refund and towards the car being repaired finally...
so thankful to you and so sick of Chrysler and Georgetown Jeep...i never thought that i would say this but unless they admit their error and apologize, this will be the last Jeep I purchase.
After dealing with Chrysler India and Chrysler Michigan from July - August and giving up all hope in September, I am now, because I could cite Recall Number H19 dealing with Chrysler in Salt Lake City and they are - go figure - actually interested in reimbursing me for the starter that I was told would solve the problem as well as getting me to a local Jeep Dealer (that is actually proud to be part of Chrysler and respectful of the taxpayer funded government bailout that is enabling Chrysler to survive and hopefully, soon to, to thrive) who will inspect my Commander and do the necessary recall repairs.
What's more, I asked them to put this denial into writing and send it to me for my records, and I was told in no uncertain terms by Gus (Customer Service ID: GD637)Chrysler Customer Service (telephone: 800.992.1997) that Chrystler does not have to and will not put this denial into writing.
More: i just put over $3k into this car that has less than 36k miles on it; as of a week ago, i have only owned this car for one year. It seems that - and remember, i have purchased 2 brand new jeeps from jeep since i was 16 - in order to enable these Commanders to be 'Jeeps' you have to purchcase parts from outside of jeep, i.e., i purchased the TOYO all terrain country tires and also had new brakes installed by my old Jaguar dealer, i.e., seems that Ford knows how to 'make a jeep a jeep' better than Chrysler can ;-) Of course, while i think that new brakes at this point is intolerable, I understand that the tires are something that - buyer beware - I should have seen were the cheapest 4 wheel drive tires available on the market in the US today.
Especially given the taxpayer funded government bailout of chrysler, we deserve better than this, right?
That said, when my Commander isn't stalling, when the dashboard lights aren't blinking, and now that I have had Ford-Jaguar specialists install new Toyo tires and top line brakes, I too enjoy the ride and look of my Jeep Commander.
That said, that inorder to enable my Jeep to drive like a Jeep I have to go outside of Jeep Dealers for parts and servicing, is a sign that Chrysler is ruining the Jeep brand name, i.e., how good (not!) of an investment then is this US Taxpayer Funded Government Bailout of The Chrysler Company?
as mentioned in another post, i have now spent over $3k at a dealer service center not affiliated with Chrysler (Ford Jaguar) on this car since the stall issue surfaced to the point of Chrysler putting in a new starter (which temporarily fixed the problem but now it is stalling again). The $3k i just spent was on toyo tires and new brake pads, and other brake repairs, i.e., i know, i know buyer beware regarding the tires but regarding the brakes, the dealer should have told me what i was getting. That said, now that the ford jaguar dealer is servicing the car, it is really becoming more and more like a real Jeep...now, to fix this stall problem.
between yesterday and today it has stalled when i was turning into traffic; in CT we can make rights on red, but i won't be doing that until this problem is fixed, because i can't be sure the car will keep going once i have made the right hand turn and have to speed up because traffic is coming up from behind me...
and, at this point, it's not a matter of $$$ (though it would be nice to avoid paying for this) it is a matter of this Commander being safe for me and the other drivers on the road; unfortunately, for my checking account that means I am going to have to pay to make sure that it is so because Chrysler won't do so.
essentially I am rebuilding the car on the inside to be as fabulous as it looks on the outside. Let's just hope that between now and then it doesn't stall at the wrong time, right?
I ran the test earlier today and found no issue with Our Commander. This doesn't mean it wont happen just means Jeep is unaware of any issue with my 07 Commander One reason companies give you warranty cards to fill out just to cover your butts and a way for the dealer to contact you in case of a recall or safety issue.