This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My Jeep was making grinding sounds when I shifted gears. At first it was just a quick grind (metal against metal). Then it got progressively worse as this last week went by. It became almost impossible to shift into reverse and it would pop out of gear unexpectedly while going down the road.luckily I didn't drive it much. I took it to my mechanic and he said I was lucky- my transmission(?) was tilted and sitting on something and that was causing the noise (the luck was that the transmission didn't fall all the way down). The description of the problem from prestige hi-tech is "check for noise/ grinding in drivetrain. Frame badly rusted out, cross member under transfer case, bolts pulled out of rusted frame." I was then told it was unsafe to drive. Visually it is in great condition without rust on the body. Prestige said both sides of the frame are rusted through because of poor design. There were no holes for trapped water to escape through.
My Jeep frame rusted out, forcing us to purchase a new vehicle in 2015. I am the original owner, female, never went off-road with it and it was garage kept. Less than 90,000 miles on it today. Upset that I cannot drive it because of the frame and cannot find frame to replace it. I still own it and still waiting to find a frame for it. Now sitting in my driveway. Excellent condition, except for the frame! see photo as proof.
Frame is completely rusted only 90K miles. The transmission dropped because the structure holding it up was bolted to the frame and because the entire frame is completely rusted it cant be fixed. Its so bad a no body shop will fix it, rust kit is no help with how bad this frame is rusted. This is completely ridicules that a frame is this badly rusted at 90K miles.
This 2001 Jeep Wrangler tj failed NY state safety inspection due to frame rust. Purchased new on 06/01/2001 from a Jeep dealership in lindenhurst, NY and only has 116,097 miles on a 4.0 engine. This tubular frame rust is premature due to lack of "weep holes" that allows water to exit the frame, thereby promoting rust from the inside, out and is costly to repair (see attachment). Note... Toyota has had similar "rusty frame" issues, but Toyota has done the "right thing". see write-up and video here: autoweek.com/article/recalls/Toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion... I love my Wrangler, but if Jeep refuses to help with this (wide spread) rusty frame issue, I may very well make a Toyota my next purchase! this is not just a customer service issue, this is a big safety issue!!!
- Ballston Spa, NY, USA
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Complete corrosion through the frame just behind the rear upper and lower trailing arms mount locations. Two large holes approximately 1" in diameter. Stress concentrations due to corroded metal and cyclical fatigue has caused crack propagation and connection of the two holes with one another.
The contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion to the frame. The dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure and provided no recommended solution to prevent the condition the vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by an independent mechanic and a dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/13/17
I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler with only 89,000 miles. The entire frame and undercarriage is rusted out and the transfer case has fallen off. I'm unable to drive it is so unsafe!! I can not believe that a vehicle only 15 years old would be in this condition!! I will be getting an attorney!! apparently there is not proper holes for drainage in the frame and it has caused the water to pool and rust out the frame. I still owe $6000 on this vehicle! I will never buy a Jeep again! I called Chrysler and because it's so far out of warranty and no recalls they are unwilling to do anything for me...ugh
Takata recall my vehicle was in motion traveling about 50 mph when it lost control on a wet road. The car slid across the road, over a small ditch, and head on into a tree. The car bounced from the tree and swiped the drivers side with another tree and finally bouncing back towards the road. The road was slightly curved downhill in a small town. I attempted to use my brakes while out of control but they were ineffective. The weather conditions were thunderstorms on and off, raining in the area of the accident. I believe the airbag is the safety risk. The car hit the tree in the center of the grill which cracked the radiator, twisted the motor mounts, damaged the suspension, folded the frame and several other fractures. The airbag never deployed, both a body shop and the towing company said it should have deployed. The car is considered totaled. I was immediately taken to the emergency room. Injury's to the driver include broken ribs, sprained ankle, bruised muscles, and a cut on my forehead that required 5 stitches among a few more minor injury's. I also believe the tall steering wheel kept me from being ejected.
2001 Jeep Wrangler sport, frame is rusting from inside out due to improper drainage holes. Currently with 139,000 miles the center skid plate/transfer case mount is ready to drop out of the vehicle. The front control arm has also broke off requiring estensive repairs.
This is been an ongoing problem since I purchased this vehicle the frame is pretty much completely rotted away basically since the day I bought it it is cost me almost $4000 to get the frame repair of repeatably. One such time my transmission and transfer case actually fell out because the skid plate rotted out for bolts on. This specific repair cost me almost $3000 to fix as I had to get another transfer case and a newport of rail made. I also have my rear upper control arm mounts rust off of the frame destroying my rear axle. That was another $2000 replacement. I have seen instances at the shop where ports of falling off of these vehicles due to the same issue. I respect the Toyota recall the rusted frames and I think it's finally time to make Chrysler do the same. They have known this is an issue since the 80S and continue to do this.
(*note: I live in ct, usa. I park my Jeep in the garage when it snows, and in the driveway the rest of the time.) while retrieving something out of the back seat, I stepped up on the running board (aka. Side step) and as I leaned in, it ripped right out of the frame. Within a month of this, my skid plate rotted out of the frame and left my transmission unsupported and my universal joint hanging at 30 degree angle. I brought it to my mechanic, who told me to take it straight to a body shop. It's been there two weeks now! I purchased 2 skid plate mount replacements which they are welding on right now. *note: I'd upload pictures of my frame, but my Jeep is still in the shop. So... (attached) are some pictures of the running board and rusted-out mounts.
The frame on the tj model years Wrangler are made in a box design with no drain holes at the bottom so when water or other corrosives get in they are trapped and this makes the frame rust from the inside out. By the time this is detected it's to late, the frame is unsafe and won't pas inspection. Don't wait until someone is killed because off this very unsafe design, do something now.
When sitting in my driveway with the engine running I noticed a burnt odor smell from the dash area. The air conditioner was running on high blower and on the max setting of internal air flow. The blower stopped working shortly after this happened. Upon inspection of the blower switch I found the switch had started to burn and melt at the connection for the max blower speed. I have replaced the switch twice now with the same problem, the circuit needs a relay in it to prevent the blower switch from over heating and causing the wire from burning up. At no time was the fuse blown on the circuit.
The contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the rear sub frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Driving over a railroad tracks, heard a pop. Discovered the frame by the trailer arm, on right hand side became completely detached, as it had rusted through.
Removed transmission cross member to replace clutch. Found complete bottom of frame rusted from inside so as to make unsafe to drive. Since have found that new frame is not available and if a used frame is found it to is rusted as to be dangerous. Have checked online and found this to be a common problem. I work in collision repair and find this to be a serious fault. This needs to be addressed quickly before a death occurs. My son's Jeep would kill him in an accident.
The contact owns a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced for routine maintenance, the vehicle was diagnosed as the frame being rusted and corroded from the front control arm to the rear control arm. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Parkville, MD, USA