I just ordered and bought my first ever Jeep. A 2021 JL Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I’ve off roaded my entire life throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and various other areas too but always used trucks, with a majority being Toyota Tacoma 4x4’s but I wanted something that had the ultimate off roading capabilities in stock form that could be built upon and added to and the new Rubicon was definitely it. I considered a 2 door but needed a little extra length for storage and camping in the Rubicon, with the rear seats laid down. And now, the fun begins!
I have jlu sport, no problems, greatest wrangler ever. I had the jku sport, its a dinosaur compared to the new jl. I test drove the jl hoping it would be a little bid better, i was wrong, its leaps better, faster, exc. than the jk. I look at other the jeep owners yj,tj,jk as the poor souls who have deal with the daily ruff and tough ride of those wranglers.
if jeep offered the JL diesel with the 6 speed then I would love to own one. but I heard they won't be. I like the new JL so much better then the JK but I can't give up my LJ nothing beats the good old 4.0
I've had many different vehicles in the countries I have lived in, from many different makers and I can honestly say the my Jeeps and Toyotas have been the most reliable and funnest to drive.
My JK vs JL comparison (for me, a 2 door Rubicon soft top) My JL pros -possibly the new 2.0 engine (I also like the Pentastar) -8 speed transmission -quicker throttle response -soft top without ‘cross bar’ -soft top no zippers -quieter soft top -body color roll bar -flat horizontal dash -lighter/aerodynamic tweaks = better MPG -real metal interior detail -real hardware (not faux bolts) interior -more inputs and other interior conveniences -larger cup holders -air vents for cooling under hood -more rake in windshield (think rock damage) -doors stay opened, and close better -cabin is slightly longer -doors remove easier/faster -telescopic adjusting steering wheel -bigger storage tub -stronger and lighter tailgate -better hood latches -easier drain plug access (without needing to move carpet) My JL cons -auto start/stop (I know it can be disabled) -the bumpers (front and back) -front running lights on fender flare -too much digital visual “noise” on dash -rear camera (I know I can take it off - and I will) -no hard drive in radio to store music (I liked that in the JK) -the $ cost $
Dang my 2017 did that. A lot. I traded it in and at 30K same issues Jeep. At dealer for 40+ days. I still got it and love it just extended warranty a must.
I have a JL and it is a fine ride. Vast improvement over previous JK’s. Regarding the power failure, had a BMW that died the same way, it happens to all vehicles.
My Merc failed me, and now my Audi too. I am waiting for the JL to be released in the UK...hopefully I won't end up with a dud, although, unlike Audi, Jeep seems to actually resolve the issues.
JK sill the best. Got 130,000 on my 09. The 3.8 with 6 angry squirrels still can’t get out of its own way but has been a most reliable engine. Has just enough electrical bling to not be a pain in the ass and very easy to work on. Lol never buy the first year new year model. Can’t beat the Jeep Wrangler way of life in any model!
Greg Bisesi, had a 2010, it was good but nothing compared to the JL. Not a big believer in never buy version 1.0 of anything. You miss out on a lot of exciting new things.
FCA didn't get back to me in time for this bit of news to make it into the video but according to them, water got into some of the vehicle's electronics. This was also a very early-build model, about No. 500 off the line.
It happens to every other car manufacturers indeed. First year off cars are typically prone to various mechanical and electronics quality awes. However though, what really separates the tops quality brands from the others, including Jeep or FCA, is how they deal with the issues. They get right on it, investigate the cause, work with suppliers and fix it.
I own a jeep wrangler and love it, but Chrysler needs to get a handle on their electrical issues and various other quality control gremlins. I happen to have an unlimited warranty but absent that I don't think it's a car I could recommend
@@DUNEATV Sorry for the late reply but I had transmission issues where they couldn't identify it and then eventually it had to be rebuilt, I had a friend who had one that had electrical issues but luckily mine Is a bare bones Jeep without auto locks, Also had To replace the fuel pump. I think a lot of the issues have been resolved now but for the 1st 10 years of owning the car it was probably in the shop at least 12 times where Chrysler had to reimburse me and pay for my rental car. Think God for unlimited warranty
I was actually going to buy a wrangler this weekend but now i want to wait until 2019 models release... Damn. I said to myself. "dont buy first model year new car." ended in early 2000s but i guess not...
Not sure if you bought one yet but I used to be the same way. You will not be disappointed. We got a Sport S Unlimited. With the V6 we are averageing just under 24MPG. Does awesome off-road (not as good as a Rubicon obviously). More comfortable than any Wrangler I've owned. The ONLY complaint I have is the steering. It has a definite "dead spot" that takes alot of getting used to. This is apparently a known issue and this one had the recall done to it already. If you've owned a Wrangler before you know none of them steer like anything else.
I bought the new 2018 Yukon XL Denali, needed a new transmission before I took delivery. Took it to Denver and back, no problems. I will do it again. I ordered the new JL with the new 2.0T wish me luck. Lol
Bought a 4Runner TRD Pro last year...no computer glitches, no taking it back to the dealer for program updates, no problems whatsoever. 35000.00 well spent.
The same exact thing happened to my 2017 Renegade Trailhawk when I was trying to leave work. The dealer said the LoJack alarm caused it possibly but it had done it on the way to LA once to
Got to really love the thought of your electrical system going on the blink, when you might be far back in the woods off the beaten path. Not impressed with that dead vehicle failure. I wonder if disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes might have helped?
Great review...This looks like a great vehicle...Having said that, the more PFM, (Pure F$#@N Magic), in a vehicle, the more that can theoretically go wrong. My 2006 Jeep TJ lacks the electronic sophistication of the JL,, but after almost 13 years, everything still works like new...Very reliable...I'm hoping to get a JL diesel if it'll be available in a standard transmission.
So what was the outcome of the breakdown? Did you get to the bottom of it? It would be nice to know, unlike some I'm interest to know as I'm still considering purchasing a JL Rubicon.
I wish automotive reviewers were more thorough on their reviews. For instance, when he says this jeeps ride is more refined, he does not explain the changes that FCA made to make it more refined. He also did not mention the new tranfercase options or the upgrades made to the Dana 44's over the previous generation. Not saying he did not do a good review ,its just I want more. Also would have been nice to know what went wrong with the Jeep when it started freaking out. I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport that I bought new. It has never left me on the side of road in 14 years and 242,000 miles. Reliable is an understatement for the Jeep brand.
The locking differential is excellent. Otherwise I wouldn't want a Rubicon because it is over priced. I wish they would offer locking diff in the sport model.
Im from Europe and i own a Grand Vitara... but i was thinking to change on Wrangler ! After talking whit my friends in car service places they told me that jeep wrangler is a good offroud suv whit *BAD* Electronic !!! Wow now i understand what they mean whit that !!!
The level of complexity of the electronic systems on the latest automotive offerings across the board is excessive. We are at a point where vehicles are as electronically integrated as most aircraft. It's not uncommon to see a vehicle that won't start if the radio is stolen out of it, so think about the fact that many Wranglers can and do get rained in a few times in their lives and you come to realize that designers were asleep at the wheel. Imagine the peril you would be in if your Wrangler left you stranded in bear country because the body control module has a brain fart.
This is why cars don't need to have everything computer controlled. Mechanical things do fail, that's life but they are easier to fix and most of the time you can hobble your way to the next exit.
I've owned three TJ's and one JK, love them all, but I recently got a new one, and stayed away from the JL. Too many changes, crazy cost, and scary recalls. It's all improvements on paper,/marketing, but in real life, not what I want from what I consider a Jeep.
Guess my TJ was the last true Wrangler.... Love the look of the JL and I am all about tech but for some reason companies can't maintain reliability (except Tesla). What a shame... Jeep is an American icon
Can you tell us what exactly happened that caused the failure? From Jeep’s explanation? I think that is critical to know. Obviously the computer, etc, but why? Also, could it have been prevented? I’m thinking no, but just wondering
That can happen to any car, especially a new model. I usually wait a few months after a new model release to make sure the manufacturer gets all the bugs out of the software. It just sucks when it is on the side of the road and no one is there to help you out.
Would love too know what the issue was.?. I thought the same don’t buy first year production I bought my first Jeep Wrangler JK 4 door 2017 had the engine light come on 5 times for evap error before they got it fixed started at 800 miles . Then a new radiator at like 26,000 then heard a ticking noise driver side engine area especially when pulling up in drive ups. Jeep dealership Master Mechanic said it wasn’t the pen-star tic issue that was common in earlier years he assured me that there were some modification too the pen star v6 and that it was fine. Got worse and just around 35;000 I brought it back in and they said they would have to take apart engine that they believed lifter noise so I aloud and they replaced parts in both sides unsure what they replaced fortunately I have extended warranty tic isn’t as loud but still there no engine light though so I guess this is what Jeep life is all about lol.
There is a second battery in the trunk so the car didn't fully restart its computer. To do that push the start button then hold the brake and push start 3 times. That restarts the ECU and should relog.
I am tired of posting that the JL was made to appeal to the non-offroader in order to create sales. What most of us want is a tough basic offroad vehicle, not a BMW in mud. The JL is already on its second recall notice. One involves a transmission pin that allows the vehicle to roll even after putting it in park. More electronics, more things to go wrong. And the price you pay for luxury junk that you do not want and would rarely use is outrageous. There should be two classes of JLs, the basic offroad version and the luxury model for the rich and famous mall crawlers who never go offroad. My uncle once said, never purchase a new model of a car the first 1-2 years. No matter how much they test it, when thousands are sent out to the world, issues will arise. AND, THE REASON FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE VIDEO....WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM!!!! THIS IN A JEEP THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR OFFROAD USE??? RIDICULOUS!!
Yup, the water going where it shouldn't. lol It's a Jeep. I was one of the stupid ones that bought a 2007 Unlimited and wish I kept my 2004 Columbia Edition.
Check out the threads on Wrangler JL Forum. Track bar welds are separating, Jeeps are shutting down from electronics failures, steering columns are locking up, other steering columns have too much tolerance and are drifting. In addition, soft top hardware is being forgotten at the factory and dealers are having to order the missing parts, there is debris in paint, bunch of people had blatant paint runs going down full door length, aluminum door panels are coming warped from the factory leading to wavy paint appearances in sunlight, and white grilles are turning yellow after a few months exposure to UV sunlight. A TJ never looked so good. God help anyone who buys this POS in the first production year.
Craig Cole www.allpar.com/forums/threads/jl-wrangler-frame-issues.171395/ Happen to read about the issue on a 4Runner forum. Don't know if this is a wide-spread issue but something prospective buyers should be aware. At least I'd want to know if I were in the market.
Hence never buy a first year production model vehicle. It's always nice to have the latest one before everyone else but sometimes its just not worth the headache.
zalewskm They gave him a replacement Jeep while they tow the other one to their shop. You never know what caused it unless you call them back, which they probably didn’t. Even if they did, Jeep probably wouldn’t want to disclose that knowing Craig is reviewing the vehicle.
I bet this video will kill tons of future sales! Holy hell I would be Furious if I had just bought a brand new one. Jeep will never let you borrow a jeep again. Typical American car quality.
I agree it adds bad publicity to the brand but American car qualities have significantly improved over the years. When I bought my brand Camaro Zl1, I found a few assembly flaws that made me wonder about their quality control especially for a $65k car. My brother's 2013 Wrangler's engine did have a bad head design which luckily was replaced under warranty. Good thing it happened a few hundred miles right before the warranty expired. But my Sienna is also experiencing some brake issues at 20k miles. My friend also got his new Civic replaced by the dealers because like the jeep, it just died on him while driving. All cars mentioned were purchased new.
Better to pull the fuses. But.. it is not excusable. Imagine that happening going down a snowy hill or mountain road.. or in Moab. You would be serious F'd. One of those "EVERYONE JUMP OUT" situations.
padistedor I rented a renegade a few months ago, the tough screen was completely dead and unresponsive, and the electronic parking break was stuck on engaged one morning so I couldn’t drive it off the parking lot... I honestly cannot trust Jeep ever again...
this is crazy man. same thing happened to my dad when he went to test drive a rubicon unlimited. he was deciding on that or a 4runner. the test drive went well at first. i sat in the back seat. we went on the highway and was turning back to the dealership. we had to U-turn back to the dealership and when my dad finished the U turn that's when it shut down. the electronics didn't go bonkers like this flashing, it just stop working, my dad panicked obviously and he basically had it in neutral and we literally rolled into the dealership. the next day he bought a 4runner trd pro lol.
Evil One 4Runner TRD Pro or Off Road packages definitely do NOT look like "soccer mom" vehicles. Especially when lifted. Jeeps are cool vehicles, but anyone that has any common sense should admit, Toyota will outlast Jeep easily.
Phil Harris Thing with me is I get a new car every 4-5 years, so the Jeep doesn't really have to last long in my hands. Pretty much anyone who leases instead of buys gets a new car every 2-3 years as well. It's why all these Mercs/BMWs have such low resale value, they are engineered to only last like 5 years since the people who buy them replace them often. Another good thing about Jeep Wranglers is, unlike the Mercs/BMWs, they do have excellent resale value.
Jeep supposed to be simple utility vehicle not made for soccer mom. Over elegance is bad engineering!! Keep it simple stupid!! My YJ and TJ are old but they’re easy to maintain. Of course all makes and models have their bugs but not expecting from a refined brand new $50k LJ.
so if your heep breaks down in the middle of nowhere which it probably will inevitably leave some people stranded. you can shave some metal off your tailgate if you have a good knife and start a fire to keep you warm with the magnesium shavings..
I had the exact same thing happen to my 2008 JK!!! Except the horn was also going off during the light show, and the engine didn't die. Chrysler has awful electrical systems. Love the way the jeep looks, but it will be a long time before I consider another one.
The Japanese build the best cars period. It use to be the USA in the 60s but we all wanted cheap over quality. Also German cars look amazing but thier just as bad as American cars or much much worse. Range Roover.
I have jlu sport, no problems, greatest wrangler ever. I had the jku sport, its a dinosaur compared to the new jl. I test drove the jl hoping it would be a little bid better, i was wrong, its leaps better, faster, exc. than the jk. I look at other the jeep owners yj,tj,jk as the poor souls who have deal with the daily ruff and tough ride of those wranglers.lol
Test drove 'em both, went with a JK, more of the boxy Jeep look, I loved my TJs. They had the look. JK still drives too smooth for me. JL didn't even felt like driving our Mazda, a car!. up close it too rounded, windshield is too sloped, side sculpts,. where is the boxy Jeep look. ..Jeeps don't have scoops! Saved thousands on a JK, and liked that it feels less cheap (compare the door handles!) and less electronic stuff. Not to mention I always make sure to never buy 1st year runs.
Just because this jeep has this issue it doesn't mean all jeep's will come with it. Many other cars comes with issues or recalls, It doesn't matter what brand is it.
Nearly every review online has been about the Rubicon model. I understand that Jeep wants people to feel like they have to buy that model, but then you get all the “wow it’s $50,000” comments. You can get a decent Sport for $35k.
Man I live in the most northern metropolitan city in the world , and hunt all the time , I'd be so hesitant to take that into the Bush, in the middle of the canadian winter
Jershaun // also the rubber molding peeling off everywhere. A lot of the electrical problems was tracked down to a factory malfunctioning main computer that was downloading bad junk into the new vehicles causing a lot of customer rage.
Jordan Natyshen my husband I own 4Runner it's the best suv we have ever owned. We just recently bought a jeep wrangler because my husband wanted one and I'm so worried about it breaking down. I've just heard too many bad things about Jeep brand in general :(
Craig, love your reviews, especially the subtle doses of sarcasm and humor. Has FCA let you know the diagnosis of your test Jeep? (Considering this... www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2018/05/the-jeep-wrangler-is-selling-like-gangbusters.html ) Hopefully it was just a one-off problem. Keep up the great reviews!
I just ordered and bought my first ever Jeep. A 2021 JL Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I’ve off roaded my entire life throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and various other areas too but always used trucks, with a majority being Toyota Tacoma 4x4’s but I wanted something that had the ultimate off roading capabilities in stock form that could be built upon and added to and the new Rubicon was definitely it. I considered a 2 door but needed a little extra length for storage and camping in the Rubicon, with the rear seats laid down. And now, the fun begins!
No modern vehicle should leave you stranded on the side of the road...especially one that costs 50 grand. Wow.
is it because it has all these fancy gadgets? what I'm asking is...would the "entry" level models with less electronics/gadgets be more reliable?
it was a pre production model it normal to see these failures in pre production cars
I have jlu sport, no problems, greatest wrangler ever. I had the jku sport, its a dinosaur compared to the new jl. I test drove the jl hoping it would be a little bid better, i was wrong, its leaps better, faster, exc. than the jk. I look at other the jeep owners yj,tj,jk as the poor souls who have deal with the daily ruff and tough ride of those wranglers.
if jeep offered the JL diesel with the 6 speed then I would love to own one. but I heard they won't be. I like the new JL so much better then the JK but I can't give up my LJ nothing beats the good old 4.0
Jeeps tend to reject the CRV driver croud. It was a Christine moment.
That is a terrifying and dangerous place to have a Jeep to break down. Heavy fog + snowy roads + no rear hazards + truckers = big recipe for disaster.
This jeep gives a new meaning to term "Break-In" period
I’m a Jeep owner. Love my Jeep and I think his commentary is hilarious and entertaining.
Gotta love the short list intro, the music, Craig, everything is just on point!
I've had many different vehicles in the countries I have lived in, from many different makers and I can honestly say the my Jeeps and Toyotas have been the most reliable and funnest to drive.
As usual, your reviews are detailed , balanced and entertaining. Good Journalism. Keep up the good work.
My JK vs JL comparison (for me, a 2 door Rubicon soft top)
My JL pros
-possibly the new 2.0 engine (I also like the Pentastar)
-8 speed transmission
-quicker throttle response
-soft top without ‘cross bar’
-soft top no zippers
-quieter soft top
-body color roll bar
-flat horizontal dash
-lighter/aerodynamic tweaks = better MPG
-real metal interior detail
-real hardware (not faux bolts) interior
-more inputs and other interior conveniences
-larger cup holders
-air vents for cooling under hood
-more rake in windshield (think rock damage)
-doors stay opened, and close better
-cabin is slightly longer
-doors remove easier/faster
-telescopic adjusting steering wheel
-bigger storage tub
-stronger and lighter tailgate
-better hood latches
-easier drain plug access (without needing to move carpet)
My JL cons
-auto start/stop (I know it can be disabled)
-the bumpers (front and back)
-front running lights on fender flare
-too much digital visual “noise” on dash
-rear camera (I know I can take it off - and I will)
-no hard drive in radio to store music (I liked that in the JK)
-the $ cost $
Dang my 2017 did that. A lot. I traded it in and at 30K same issues Jeep. At dealer for 40+ days. I still got it and love it just extended warranty a must.
If you guys made a short video showing that electrical problem it would be all over the internet. Couple million views easily
I keep going back to this video every time I get the urge to buy a Jeep.
I have a JL and it is a fine ride. Vast improvement over previous JK’s. Regarding the power failure, had a BMW that died the same way, it happens to all vehicles.
Bill Carfagno two of the most reliable car brands ever
My Merc failed me, and now my Audi too. I am waiting for the JL to be released in the UK...hopefully I won't end up with a dud, although, unlike Audi, Jeep seems to actually resolve the issues.
JK sill the best. Got 130,000 on my 09. The 3.8 with 6 angry squirrels still can’t get out of its own way but has been a most reliable engine.
Has just enough electrical bling to not be a pain in the ass and very easy to work on.
Lol never buy the first year new year model.
Can’t beat the Jeep Wrangler way of life in any model!
Greg Bisesi, had a 2010, it was good but nothing compared to the JL. Not a big believer in never buy version 1.0 of anything. You miss out on a lot of exciting new things.
It just shouldn't
Very informative and hilarious.
Thanks!
I have a new ram Laramie and a 2018 JL they both drive and ride perfect
Soooo... What's the reason why the JL Wrangler test unit got horribly wrong?
FCA didn't get back to me in time for this bit of news to make it into the video but according to them, water got into some of the vehicle's electronics. This was also a very early-build model, about No. 500 off the line.
Craig Cole that does not sound very off road worthy to me.
It happens to every other car manufacturers indeed. First year off cars are typically prone to various mechanical and electronics quality awes. However though, what really separates the tops quality brands from the others, including Jeep or FCA, is how they deal with the issues. They get right on it, investigate the cause, work with suppliers and fix it.
may I ask, what was the explanation for the "complete system failure" I own a 2018 jeep JL.
I own a jeep wrangler and love it, but Chrysler needs to get a handle on their electrical issues and various other quality control gremlins. I happen to have an unlimited warranty but absent that I don't think it's a car I could recommend
Just bought a 2021 Rubicon. Can you elaborate on any issues you have had?
@@DUNEATV Sorry for the late reply but I had transmission issues where they couldn't identify it and then eventually it had to be rebuilt, I had a friend who had one that had electrical issues but luckily mine Is a bare bones Jeep without auto locks, Also had To replace the fuel pump. I think a lot of the issues have been resolved now but for the 1st 10 years of owning the car it was probably in the shop at least 12 times where Chrysler had to reimburse me and pay for my rental car. Think God for unlimited warranty
You made it easy to decide what I gonna buy. Thanks.
The AAA card should come standard with every JL.
I was actually going to buy a wrangler this weekend but now i want to wait until 2019 models release... Damn. I said to myself. "dont buy first model year new car." ended in early 2000s but i guess not...
Not sure if you bought one yet but I used to be the same way. You will not be disappointed. We got a Sport S Unlimited. With the V6 we are averageing just under 24MPG. Does awesome off-road (not as good as a Rubicon obviously). More comfortable than any Wrangler I've owned. The ONLY complaint I have is the steering. It has a definite "dead spot" that takes alot of getting used to. This is apparently a known issue and this one had the recall done to it already. If you've owned a Wrangler before you know none of them steer like anything else.
I bought the new 2018 Yukon XL Denali, needed a new transmission before I took delivery. Took it to Denver and back, no problems. I will do it again. I ordered the new JL with the new 2.0T wish me luck. Lol
Bought a 4Runner TRD Pro last year...no computer glitches, no taking it back to the dealer for program updates, no problems whatsoever. 35000.00 well spent.
Chrysler jeep dodge couldnt make a reliable car if they tried...which they dont
it was a pre production model it normal to see these failures in pre production cars
Only American brand I would actually trust.
Mine have always been great.
Welldone,good vid.thanks
The same exact thing happened to my 2017 Renegade Trailhawk when I was trying to leave work. The dealer said the LoJack alarm caused it possibly but it had done it on the way to LA once to
We hope you weren't stranded! Thanks for watching!
AutoGuide.com no I was able to reset it. It only did it a few time before the lemon law process completed. But I do sorta want another Jeep
Wow! Thanks for posting truth.
Got to really love the thought of your electrical system going on the blink, when you might be far back in the woods off the beaten path. Not impressed with that dead vehicle failure. I wonder if disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes might have helped?
And that's way I keep my 96 4runner , never let me down ,no computer crap and easy to fix
Great review...This looks like a great vehicle...Having said that, the more PFM, (Pure F$#@N Magic), in a vehicle, the more that can theoretically go wrong. My 2006 Jeep TJ lacks the electronic sophistication of the JL,, but after almost 13 years, everything still works like new...Very reliable...I'm hoping to get a JL diesel if it'll be available in a standard transmission.
Miss the old days when cars were mechanical, not computers on wheels.
I'd say the same about a phone... now a laptop in your pocket lol
So what was the outcome of the breakdown? Did you get to the bottom of it? It would be nice to know, unlike some I'm interest to know as I'm still considering purchasing a JL Rubicon.
I wish automotive reviewers were more thorough on their reviews. For instance, when he says this jeeps ride is more refined, he does not explain the changes that FCA made to make it more refined. He also did not mention the new tranfercase options or the upgrades made to the Dana 44's over the previous generation. Not saying he did not do a good review ,its just I want more. Also would have been nice to know what went wrong with the Jeep when it started freaking out. I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Sport that I bought new. It has never left me on the side of road in 14 years and 242,000 miles. Reliable is an understatement for the Jeep brand.
Very informative👍🏼
GET THIS MAN A STEAK AND A BARBELL
The classic Craig is back!
that's sooo heart breaking that new car $50-$60k dollar car with top reputation can leave u in the middle of the nowhere.
The locking differential is excellent. Otherwise I wouldn't want a Rubicon because it is over priced. I wish they would offer locking diff in the sport model.
THANK YOU! THIS ONE IS A STICK SHIFT!
Im from Europe and i own a Grand Vitara... but i was thinking to change on Wrangler ! After talking whit my friends in car service places they told me that jeep wrangler is a good offroud suv whit *BAD* Electronic !!! Wow now i understand what they mean whit that !!!
Omg lol can not wait until your 2019 review .😂😂😂
The level of complexity of the electronic systems on the latest automotive offerings across the board is excessive. We are at a point where vehicles are as electronically integrated as most aircraft. It's not uncommon to see a vehicle that won't start if the radio is stolen out of it, so think about the fact that many Wranglers can and do get rained in a few times in their lives and you come to realize that designers were asleep at the wheel. Imagine the peril you would be in if your Wrangler left you stranded in bear country because the body control module has a brain fart.
That's was unsafe electronic message up. Think may be wrangler might not be a good option, nice video
This is why cars don't need to have everything computer controlled. Mechanical things do fail, that's life but they are easier to fix and most of the time you can hobble your way to the next exit.
I've owned three TJ's and one JK, love them all, but I recently got a new one, and stayed away from the JL. Too many changes, crazy cost, and scary recalls. It's all improvements on paper,/marketing, but in real life, not what I want from what I consider a Jeep.
I really wanted one before watching this
It appears there are two basic Wrangler model jeeps sold in 2018, the earlier JK which was sold to me by the local Bend dealer and the new JL.
Those are what we call "The First Year Blues". I'd wait until the second model year before buying a new version of any vehicle.
I love his comical personality
Good one.
Guess my TJ was the last true Wrangler.... Love the look of the JL and I am all about tech but for some reason companies can't maintain reliability (except Tesla). What a shame... Jeep is an American icon
Huh? JKs rock much better than TJs. I've own two of each.
Can you tell us what exactly happened that caused the failure? From Jeep’s explanation? I think that is critical to know. Obviously the computer, etc, but why? Also, could it have been prevented? I’m thinking no, but just wondering
That can happen to any car, especially a new model. I usually wait a few months after a new model release to make sure the manufacturer gets all the bugs out of the software. It just sucks when it is on the side of the road and no one is there to help you out.
Would love too know what the issue was.?. I thought the same don’t buy first year production I bought my first Jeep Wrangler JK 4 door 2017 had the engine light come on 5 times for evap error before they got it fixed started at 800 miles . Then a new radiator at like 26,000 then heard a ticking noise driver side engine area especially when pulling up in drive ups. Jeep dealership Master Mechanic said it wasn’t the pen-star tic issue that was common in earlier years he assured me that there were some modification too the pen star v6 and that it was fine. Got worse and just around 35;000 I brought it back in and they said they would have to take apart engine that they believed lifter noise so I aloud and they replaced parts in both sides unsure what they replaced fortunately I have extended warranty tic isn’t as loud but still there no engine light though so I guess this is what Jeep life is all about lol.
There is an error in this video at 5:39. Only the 4 Door Unlimited Models are rated for 3,500 lbs. Doors are just 2,000
There is a second battery in the trunk so the car didn't fully restart its computer. To do that push the start button then hold the brake and push start 3 times. That restarts the ECU and should relog.
Where are such pushbutton rituals documented?
Jeeps used to be reliable as hell. My 20 year old Cherokee has never once left me stranded anywhere. Cars have become far over complicated.
It has two batteries...Oh you didn't know that though eh?
Exactly!
As many videos as I have watched about the new JL and nobody has brought this up. Thanks for pointing it out.
I am tired of posting that the JL was made to appeal to the non-offroader in order to create sales. What most of us want is a tough basic offroad vehicle, not a BMW in mud. The JL is already on its second recall notice. One involves a transmission pin that allows the vehicle to roll even after putting it in park. More electronics, more things to go wrong. And the price you pay for luxury junk that you do not want and would rarely use is outrageous. There should be two classes of JLs, the basic offroad version and the luxury model for the rich and famous mall crawlers who never go offroad. My uncle once said, never purchase a new model of a car the first 1-2 years. No matter how much they test it, when thousands are sent out to the world, issues will arise.
AND, THE REASON FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE VIDEO....WATER GOT INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM!!!! THIS IN A JEEP THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR OFFROAD USE??? RIDICULOUS!!
Yup, the water going where it shouldn't. lol It's a Jeep. I was one of the stupid ones that bought a 2007 Unlimited and wish I kept my 2004 Columbia Edition.
the moment a heard "dont f with the jeep wrangler" i subscribed
It was no big DILL that we had to wait for technical difficulties
Check out the threads on Wrangler JL Forum. Track bar welds are separating, Jeeps are shutting down from electronics failures, steering columns are locking up, other steering columns have too much tolerance and are drifting. In addition, soft top hardware is being forgotten at the factory and dealers are having to order the missing parts, there is debris in paint, bunch of people had blatant paint runs going down full door length, aluminum door panels are coming warped from the factory leading to wavy paint appearances in sunlight, and white grilles are turning yellow after a few months exposure to UV sunlight. A TJ never looked so good. God help anyone who buys this POS in the first production year.
Did you disconnect BOTH batteries? Don't forget the small one by the fire wall (for the auto start-stop feature)
I like this guy.
Something else to note: apparently there has been some welding issues with the new JL.
Haven't heard of this. What sort of welding issue?
Craig Cole www.allpar.com/forums/threads/jl-wrangler-frame-issues.171395/
Happen to read about the issue on a 4Runner forum. Don't know if this is a wide-spread issue but something prospective buyers should be aware. At least I'd want to know if I were in the market.
Dam that means it best to look into the Scrambler next Xmas.
Hence never buy a first year production model vehicle. It's always nice to have the latest one before everyone else but sometimes its just not worth the headache.
Unbelievable!! Quite frankly, reliability has been a problem with Jeeps.
I LIKE JEEP ,COOL
I dig the Eminem cosplay, Craig. Lose yourself.
>Buys a brand new model year
>Expects no bugs
Remember the early Renix Cherokees? The '97 TJs? I don't hear many people bitching about them.
When roadside assistance arrived, what was the fix?
zalewskm They gave him a replacement Jeep while they tow the other one to their shop. You never know what caused it unless you call them back, which they probably didn’t. Even if they did, Jeep probably wouldn’t want to disclose that knowing Craig is reviewing the vehicle.
Actually, I spoke to Jeep PR and they told me water got into some of the vehicle's electronics.
I like this guy
what was the results of the computer issue? that seems to be a recurring issue with these
I bet this video will kill tons of future sales! Holy hell I would be Furious if I had just bought a brand new one. Jeep will never let you borrow a jeep again. Typical American car quality.
I'm not saying it killed a sale, but I am no longer considering it based on this video. Even a battery disconnect didn't fix it. Wow! Unacceptable.
Well to be fair the new jeep has 2 batteries
I agree it adds bad publicity to the brand but American car qualities have significantly improved over the years. When I bought my brand Camaro Zl1, I found a few assembly flaws that made me wonder about their quality control especially for a $65k car. My brother's 2013 Wrangler's engine did have a bad head design which luckily was replaced under warranty. Good thing it happened a few hundred miles right before the warranty expired. But my Sienna is also experiencing some brake issues at 20k miles. My friend also got his new Civic replaced by the dealers because like the jeep, it just died on him while driving. All cars mentioned were purchased new.
Just because this Jeep was bad doesn't mean they all are. I used to own a 2010 4Runner that was a lemon. Does that mean all Toyotas are bad?
Better to pull the fuses. But.. it is not excusable. Imagine that happening going down a snowy hill or mountain road.. or in Moab. You would be serious F'd. One of those "EVERYONE JUMP OUT" situations.
I’ll never trust anything from Jeep after seeing that electronic meltdown.
padistedor I rented a renegade a few months ago, the tough screen was completely dead and unresponsive, and the electronic parking break was stuck on engaged one morning so I couldn’t drive it off the parking lot... I honestly cannot trust Jeep ever again...
rainystorm88 wow! Thats crazy!
this is crazy man. same thing happened to my dad when he went to test drive a rubicon unlimited. he was deciding on that or a 4runner. the test drive went well at first. i sat in the back seat. we went on the highway and was turning back to the dealership. we had to U-turn back to the dealership and when my dad finished the U turn that's when it shut down. the electronics didn't go bonkers like this flashing, it just stop working, my dad panicked obviously and he basically had it in neutral and we literally rolled into the dealership. the next day he bought a 4runner trd pro lol.
j burggg This is crazy! They need to start a recall on this model!
it was a pre production model it normal to see these failures in pre production cars
i wouldn't buy 2018 , i would wait and buy 2020 , usually first set have problems , a lot , i have 2013 jeep grand cherokee , love it
it was a pre production model its normal to see these failures in pre production cars
nicolas balcaar yeah they just did a Corolla a preproduction and Avalon no break downs. Are Americans born dumb? These excuses are hilarious
Stop spreading fake news. This is a 2018 production model.
Bullshit!
How is a Jeep breaking down something unbelievable. Save your money and your time and buy a Toyota 4Runner.
Trevor Doyle yeah that way you can look like a soccer mom
Evil One rather look like a soccer mom than look like a fool on the side of I-75 in Atlanta rush hour with a $55K broke down Jeep.
As a Jeep fanboy, I was gonna defend the Jeep here, but can't really defend it now after seeing that break down... Shit. Wait for the 2019 model...
Evil One 4Runner TRD Pro or Off Road packages definitely do NOT look like "soccer mom" vehicles. Especially when lifted. Jeeps are cool vehicles, but anyone that has any common sense should admit, Toyota will outlast Jeep easily.
Phil Harris Thing with me is I get a new car every 4-5 years, so the Jeep doesn't really have to last long in my hands. Pretty much anyone who leases instead of buys gets a new car every 2-3 years as well. It's why all these Mercs/BMWs have such low resale value, they are engineered to only last like 5 years since the people who buy them replace them often. Another good thing about Jeep Wranglers is, unlike the Mercs/BMWs, they do have excellent resale value.
Always keep emergency lights and Orange Cones in the back.
Jeep supposed to be simple utility vehicle not made for soccer mom. Over elegance is bad engineering!! Keep it simple stupid!! My YJ and TJ are old but they’re easy to maintain. Of course all makes and models have their bugs but not expecting from a refined brand new $50k LJ.
Yeah, so it was a new JLU Rubicon or 4runner TRD off road. Will be getting the 4runner
I wonder if it was the secondary battery that killed it like that. The one that controls the starting and ESS
so if your heep breaks down in the middle of nowhere which it probably will inevitably leave some people stranded. you can shave some metal off your tailgate if you have a good knife and start a fire to keep you warm with the magnesium shavings..
Or make a signal flare.
I had the exact same thing happen to my 2008 JK!!! Except the horn was also going off during the light show, and the engine didn't die. Chrysler has awful electrical systems. Love the way the jeep looks, but it will be a long time before I consider another one.
Is that common to only the V6?
The Japanese build the best cars period. It use to be the USA in the 60s but we all wanted cheap over quality. Also German cars look amazing but thier just as bad as American cars or much much worse. Range Roover.
Range Rover is British 🤭🤭
I'm just wondering if you ever figured out what caused it to shut down
Only 9 things just couldn’t think of one more. I’ll find a video with 10 things I need to know.
I have jlu sport, no problems, greatest wrangler ever. I had the jku sport, its a dinosaur compared to the new jl. I test drove the jl hoping it would be a little bid better, i was wrong, its leaps better, faster, exc. than the jk. I look at other the jeep owners yj,tj,jk as the poor souls who have deal with the daily ruff and tough ride of those wranglers.lol
Richard Sardina did you know that the JLU wrangler has 2 batteries Under the hood?
Richard Sardina shoulda kept the JK
Test drove 'em both, went with a JK, more of the boxy Jeep look, I loved my TJs. They had the look. JK still drives too smooth for me. JL didn't even felt like driving our Mazda, a car!. up close it too rounded, windshield is too sloped, side sculpts,. where is the boxy Jeep look. ..Jeeps don't have scoops! Saved thousands on a JK, and liked that it feels less cheap (compare the door handles!) and less electronic stuff. Not to mention I always make sure to never buy 1st year runs.
Just because this jeep has this issue it doesn't mean all jeep's will come with it. Many other cars comes with issues or recalls, It doesn't matter what brand is it.
Aaaaaaand waiting for the 2019 model...
Nearly every review online has been about the Rubicon model. I understand that Jeep wants people to feel like they have to buy that model, but then you get all the “wow it’s $50,000” comments. You can get a decent Sport for $35k.
Man I live in the most northern metropolitan city in the world , and hunt all the time , I'd be so hesitant to take that into the Bush, in the middle of the canadian winter
What most reviewers fail to mention is the free rust you get with every NEW Wrangler 😂
Jershaun // also the rubber molding peeling off everywhere. A lot of the electrical problems was tracked down to a factory malfunctioning main computer that was downloading bad junk into the new vehicles causing a lot of customer rage.
So what was the problem after the car was repaired?
Love my JK. Why change the shift pattern?
And that’s why I got a 4Runner.
4runner won't do what a wrangler rubicon can do.
Like breakdown? lol. In all seriousness, they're both very capable and Wrangles a bit more-so when offloading.
Jordan Natyshen my husband I own 4Runner it's the best suv we have ever owned. We just recently bought a jeep wrangler because my husband wanted one and I'm so worried about it breaking down. I've just heard too many bad things about Jeep brand in general :(
Nah...you got one because you can't drive a manual transmission.
Esmeralda Escobar any car can break down. What a stupid comment.
Craig, love your reviews, especially the subtle doses of sarcasm and humor. Has FCA let you know the diagnosis of your test Jeep? (Considering this... www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2018/05/the-jeep-wrangler-is-selling-like-gangbusters.html ) Hopefully it was just a one-off problem. Keep up the great reviews!
I'll keep my 2008.
Me too, 2009 Jk, this video makes me glad to own it.