2000 Jeep Wrangler

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING AND SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE MAIN CROSS MEMBER, WHICH HAD ROTTED FROM CORROSION, DETACHED AND FELL WITH THE BOLTS STILL IN TACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

WATER LEAKING BENEATH DASH ONTO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. DEALER STATED THAT DEBRIS ENTERED THROUGH HOOD VENT AND ACCUMULATED CAUSING DRAINS TO PLUG UP. HENCE RAIN WATER WILL OVERFLOW INTO INTERIOR COMPARTMENT. DEALER CLEARED DRAINS WITH AIR HOSE. COVER HOOD VENT WITH MAGNETIC SHEET (MADE FOR HOUSEHOLD HEATING VENTS) WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. *NM

PERSISTENT LEAK PROBLEMS SINCE JEEP WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. RETURN TO DEALER OVER 5 TIMES BEFORE NOTICEABLE LEAKS STOPPED (BEHIND DASH BOARD, FLOOR AT DRIVERS AND A PASSENGER SIDE) FIX UNDER ORIGINALLY WARRANTY. 4 NEW LEAKS AND RETURN OF TWO OLD LEAKS - NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY NOW DEALER WANTS $650 TO FIX. ADDITIONALLY HAVE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND PAINT RUSTING PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE.*AK

I HAVE DOCUMENTED FOUR TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO FIX WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO OTHER TIMES THAT I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT, SINCE IT WAS A RETURN TRIP, THEY DID NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE "DEALER AGENT" THAT PERFORMED THE WORK. ON MY FOURTH & FIFTH TRIP, I DEMANDED WRITE-UPS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A CHRYSLER FACTORY REP WHO REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING, SINCE ON THE FIFTH TRIP, THE "DEALER AGENT" COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE FACTORY REP DID SUBSEQUENTLY OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. I HAVE FOUND THE WATER LEAK ON MY OWN AND ON MY SIXTH VISIT TO THE DEALER, I DEMANDED THAT THE BODY SHOP MANAGER VERIFY THE LEAKS. HE DID, AND I RECEIVED A "WORK ORDER" FROM HIM. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT BACK A SIXTH TIME TO BE REPAIRED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE ELECTRICAL OR OTHER PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE DUE TO THE LEAKAGE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF I GET IT FIXED AGAIN AND IT LEAKS AGAIN, WILL THERE BE ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHILE I HAVE FOUND THE CONDITIONS WHERE IT LEAKS IN, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE OR HOW IT TRAVELS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THUS DO NOT KNOW WHAT DAMAGES MAY HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, BUT HAVE NOT SURFACED. I HAVE DOCUMENTED 3-28-01 AS THE DATE OF FAILURE SINCE THE EARLIEST DOCUMENT THAT I HAVE DATED FROM THE DEALER IS 3-30-01. I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS EARLIER. THE MILEAGE IS CLOSE FOR THAT DATE.*AK

MIKE MAURICIO, SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT LARGE AMOUNT OF "SURFACE RUST" AT 6000 MILES IS NORMAL. IF THIS IS SO, THEN ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WOULD BE RUSTED OUT BY 30,000 MILES, VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE STRUCTURAL FAILURE, FUEL SYSTEM WOULD LOSE INTEGRITY CREATING FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZZARD. RECOMMEND SAFETY RECALL OF ALL 2000 JEEP WRANGLERS. EMAIL FOR PICS.

I MADE THE DEALER AWARE THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN COMING THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY JEEP. THE SAID IT MAY BECOMING THROUGH THE PLUGS WHICH COME OUT TO RINSE THE INTERIOR. BUT WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THEIR RESPONSE TO ME WAS "IT'S A JEEP...JEEPS ARE SUPPOSED TO GET WET." I'M PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR THEIR TOP MODEL WRANGLER AND I DON'T WANT IT LEAKING THROUGH THE PLUGS WHEN IT RAIN. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. BUT TOLD ME THAT THE JEEP COULD HANDLE IT.*AK