Jeep is well known for being a robust, reliable and trustworthy manufacturer, and rightfully so. However, not every vehicle’s reputation matches every consumer’s experience and like all manufacturers, Jeep has faced reports from owners relating to a number of problems. While these problems vary from regular enough for a recall, to few and far between but enough to draw attention, knowing the most common can help you stay on top of repairs and maintenance. To help, here are some common faults and how to fix them.
TIPM Faults
The Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is the system that maintains and operates the entire electrical system in a Jeep. It controls the air conditioning, the lights, the windshield wipers, the radio and more. Given the level of control the module has, faults are noticeable and in many cases, could be frustrating or even dangerous. JeepProblems report that “by some estimates, hundreds of thousands of Fiat-Chrysler vehicles from 2007-2015 model years have defective TIPMs” with problems ranging from the fuel pump not returning off, to the engine stalling while driving. (https://jeepproblems.com/tipm/, 2018) Owners report these issues particularly in the Wrangler, which has seen faults such as sudden loss of power or an inability to start the vehicle at all. The fix could involve the total replacement of the faulty module, which costs upwards of £1,500.
Water Leaks In Wrangler
One thing that drivers expect from their off-road vehicles is to be able to drive it off-road without experiencing the outside weather inside the cabin. According to HotCars.com, however, owners of the Jeep Wrangler haven’t been so lucky. They state “the 2002 Jeep Wrangler and the old 1987 model have reports of leaking door seals. The front A pillar on the 1987 model is infamous for this.” Even a slight leak can cause moisture build-up in a car and cause odours and damp problems. (https://www.hotcars.com/most-common-problems-with-jeep-wranglers/#common-problem-with-jeep-wranglers-door-water-seals). JeepProblems.com also report leaks in the Jeep Patriot and Compass. (http://www.jeepproblems.com/interior-water-leaks/)
Shaky Steering Wheel
Some of Jeep’s top models, particularly the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, are reported to experience what Jeep owners call the Death Wobble. According to JeepProblems, the death wobble is “a creative term coined by Jeep owners that describes a situation when the front axle begins violently oscillating, causing the car to shake (or wobble) in a manner which makes the vehicle hard to control.” While this hasn’t been the cause of any reported accidents thus far, it’s an issue that should be addressed. If your Jeep is experiencing this issue, bring your car in for a service and check. Parts of your steering may be worn or parts of your suspension may even be loose so it’s best to be safe.
Exhaust Leaks
A report by 1aAuto also suggested that some Jeep models, particularly the 4.0 litre 6-cylinder engine in the 1987-2001 Cherokee, the 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee and the 1991-2006 Wrangler, have been particularly prone to springing exhaust leaks. They stated that “the exhaust manifold could develop cracks after many cycles of heating up and cooling down, and start to leak.” (https://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/common-jeep-problems-death-wobble) If your jeep is any of the above, or you’ve experienced ticking sounds from the engine or even reduced fuel mileage, this could be a sign that you have an exhaust leak. This should be fixed as soon as possible, so it’s important to book in your repairs.
Ignition Switch Recall
If you own a 2006 or 2007 Grand Cherokee or Commander, you may have missed a recall on their ignition switches which caused the engine to switch off while you were driving. 1AAuto reported that “2006 and 2007 Grand Cherokees and Commanders could develop an ignition switch fault that could lead to the engine turning off while you’re driving.” (https://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/common-jeep-problems-death-wobble). If you’ve experienced this fault or your vehicle hasn’t had the part replaced, you should get this replaced by your dealer as soon as possible.
Window Motor Failure
JeepProblems also reported an issue that saw Jeep windows falling back into the door as a result of a damaged regulator. They detailed a notice sent out to owners regarding an extended warranty and claimed that they have “heard only good things about people being able to be reimbursed by Chrysler for their previous window repairs” too. (http://www.jeepproblems.com/window-regulator/) Surprisingly, issues were seen in vehicles that had different regulators, however, so the recall covers a number of models that might seem unrelated. The issue could be a result of a damaged or misaligned regulator, so if you feel like you may have burned out your motor, you should replace the regulator too.
For more information about common Jeep problems, or to book your Jeep in for car repairs, get in touch with a member of our team here at Service 4 Service, today.