2018 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Problems

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11578003

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, he felt a tug and heard a loud banging sound coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had overheated and exploded, causing damage to the transmission. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V124000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that only the cost to replace the transmission was covered. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11496488

Incident

Nov 10, 2022

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The contact stated that there sixty fault codes stored in the system. The contact stated that an unknown software update was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who also retrieved the fault codes but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer suggested that the vehicle be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11480179

Incident

Mar 24, 2022

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that a relative was driving the vehicle at approximately 55 MPH and the vehicle started losing motive power. The relative noticed an abnormal burning odor before hearing a loud boom sound underneath the vehicle. The relative saw smoke and safely pulled off the highway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that the clutch plate had exploded through the transmission bell housing and shrapnel went through the radiator. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,465.

NHTSA ID

11474585

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

Mileage

46,465 mi

I had the Y03 recall done on August 30, 2021. My 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Sahara Unlimited has 53,00 miles. On my way home from vacation, June 4, 2022, my clutch plate overheated, exploded through the bell housing and transmission, burnt the wire casing, and melted the fuel line. I had to leave my Jeep in NC and get a rental car to make it home. After being at a dealership 7 hours away from home for a week in Jacksonville, NC, I am told by the dealer that Chrysler will not honor my Powertrain warranty because the clutch is not a covered component; however, the issue that occurred with the clutch and how it occurred is exactly what both the Y03 and W12 recall said could happen. The W12 recall is still showing "incomplete in every location I've checked, including Chrysler and Mopar; however, I am being told that the simpler fix noted in the Y03 recall supersedes the W12 recall instructions - which required service techs to perform a hydraulic clutch system bleed and also perform of clutch health check procedure; whereas the Y03 skips these steps. I spoke to someone at MOPAR who told me that all components related to the recall (i.e. the clutch) have a 2-year warranty after the recall is completed, but any other components affected by the clutch failure are not covered. How can Jeep/Chrysler know there is an ongoing clutch issue specifically with the clutch plate and not honor/cover repairs that result because of it? And, how can a wire sheath and software update guarantee the potential failure is resolved if the clutch is never inspected to make sure the clutch plate hasn't already been compromised because of excessive heat? I have already filed a complaint with NHSTA, spoken to Chrysler Corporate (without any luck). Chrysler and Mopar should stand by their parts/vehicles when something catastrophic like this happens. Had the fuel line caused a fire, my Jeep could have exploded or caused a serious accident/death/injury.

NHTSA ID

11472253

Incident

Jun 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his wife noticed a strong burning odor coming from underneath the vehicle. . The contact's wife drove the vehicle out of the garage and parked outside. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch was fractured, had failed, and had a burning smell. The dealer also diagnosed that the engine RPMs rev up between shifts of the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (POWER TRAIN) was completed on the vehicle in 2021 to prevent transmission clutch failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the dealer would need to disassemble the transmission and the clutch further for proof that the failure is related to the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer also advised the contact that he would need to commit $600 before the dealer disassemble the transmission and clutch. The contact declined. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11452228

Incident

Jan 24, 2022

Mileage

24,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V028000 (Power Train) and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and a software update and the recall repair were performed. Two weeks after the repairs were performed, while driving 50 mph, the contact depressed the clutch to shift gears and depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact was able to shift gears however, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact was able to slowly move the vehicle over to a highway off ramp and moved the vehicle to a parking lot. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,088.

NHTSA ID

11428935

Incident

Aug 10, 2021

Mileage

35,088 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR UNINTENTIONALLY MOVED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RYDELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (700 SAN FERNANDO RD, SAN FERNANDO, CA 91340, (818) 493-6300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLY WHEEL WAS ON BACKORDER ACROSS THE NATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11267702

Incident

Oct 3, 2019

Mileage

29,000 mi