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And in winter, with just the slightest dusting of snow on the road, it feels like the JGC is on skates. During one 2"-3" snowfall I was so ticked off at my new JGC that when I got home I took my wife's Honda Pilot out around the block to compare handling. Her tires were normal all season tires and had more miles on them than the JGC did. The Pilot clearly handled much better in the snow than the JGC.
The other day, during our first snowfall of the season, I was slipping and sliding again, and my entire family was in the JGC. Even though I had plenty of "tread" left on the Forteras, I took it right over to my local tire shop and dropped $1,000 on new Goodyear Wrangler TA (?) tires. It handles MUCH better.
I understand why the dealer says the tires will be fine in snow, because they're just trying to make a sale. But why the heck is CORPORATE putting these tires on a JEEP?! Aren't Jeeps supposed to be known for their ability to get around in tough conditions? The Forteras really make this thing ride like a Lexus in normal conditions, which was nice. But in rain and snow, to not have confidence in a JEEP just doesn't make sense to me. Combine this tire issue with the other warranty issues I've had with the Jeep (6x in the shop for transmission, hydraulic lift, electric driver seat), and this will be my first and last Jeep. They lured me in with the JGC design, but now I see why they are consistently ranked in the bottom of JD Power quality rankings. I'm thinking they just don't care, that they are ok with their position in the marketplace, and they're counting on that "iconic" Jeep brand to always lure buyers in. In 12 combined years of Honda/Acura ownership we were in the shop ONCE for non-routine work. And their tires always worked just fine.
Again, hopefully Chrysler corporate is listening. For any of you readers who are considering a Jeep, and live in snow country, try like heck to ask the dealership to swap out the tires. Or just plan on investing $1000 right upfront on new aggressive tires. Or...consider a vehicle made by a company that isn't consistently ranked in the bottom of quality rankings, and that chooses appropriate tires that match their brand promise.
I have suggested that the Jeeps have a combo on the door like my old Ford Explorer had - that would be a nice feature. Maybe Ford has a patent on that?
Originally requested the vehicle be examined for a bad clunking sound heard in the suspension during low speed parking lot maneuvers. Jeep examined the vehicle and discovered the original shocks had leaked hydraulic fluid. Shock body clanking against itself was the reported sound source. New shocks ordered. Returned to the dealership, shocks installed, vehicle road tested by mechanics, new shocks found leaking. Repeated this process one more. Fourth set of shocks now on order.
I can't seem to find anyone reporting a similar problem in the late model JGC forums here, but has anyone dealt with this issue? It's a very subtle problem. The sound is annoying but not overwhelming. Only really heard at low speed maneuvers. (Sound drove me crazy though knowing I paid $45K+ for this vehicle.) The original shocks performed OK. I never noticed a leak. But I have to say shock pair #2 had the vehicle very unstable, particularly during highway speed maneuvers. Must have lost all their fluid. (Judging by the size of the puddle at the dealership that might have been the case.) They really got my attention.
Dealership has been very cooperative. Jeep claiming this is not a pervasive problem. Making the dealership follow warranty protocol with the replacements. But I've had it. I don't have time to have new shocks installed on my vehicle every 2 weeks, among other issues. Calling Jeep customer service tomorrow. Laying the groundwork for shock pair #4 to fail.
None of the 2011 or 2012 GC's I drove w/o trailer package had the noise issue.
Jeep tried many fixes but nothing worked.
Got 30 K on the clock on the 2011 GC, it's been a great 4x4, no problems whatsoever.