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Subframe and crossmember warranty / recall?

209K views 218 replies 95 participants last post by  Sandstone 
#1 ·
Hey all, I was shown that my subframe is rusty, and that I should contact chrysler about this. The surprising thing is this.

I applaud chrusyler for giving us a 10 year extended warranty on this, but I am not even sure if mine is covered yet. I havnt taken it in. Heres why! The mechanic whom I spoke with, he says hes the head mechanic, has advised me that the replacement is covered and isn't that hard of a job. But that being said your looking at a HUGE bill when you come to pick it up. Because only the subframe and crossmembers are covered, ANYTHONG else they touch...as he put it, cut off, to make it quicker, will be replaced with chrysler oem parts, and this comes out of your pocket, and then to add injury to insult a charge for a wheel alignment after all is said and done, he said probably a couple grand to fix.

My jeep is a 2009 pat, 76000 kms, its on its 3rd front end ( control arms, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar links etc.). I am at my wits end keeping up with this thing.

And to add injury to insult, my front dash lit up like an xmas tree on the way to work this morning, its got the abs, brak light, esc lights and tracyion control lights all on. I was told its most likely a speed sensor. Which can be replaced fairly easy...another catch, bring it into see which one, its a 69.99 charge to have the reader see which one..wow...i'm shocked how they can get aay with this.

Can anyone add some light to this...anyone had the subframe replaced etc???

Love to hear from you guys about it.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#10 ·
My Patriot is a 2007 Diesel Limited uk. The front sub frame has been 'mentioned' in my yearly MOT (3 years from new) for the last 3 years. Rear sub frame just been set as an advisory for this years MOT. The car has 44k miles on, never off road, never seen snow etc etc.

Lousy part quality, also an advisory for the front lower suspension rubber.
 
#11 ·
just found a four inch x 1 inch rust hole in the sub frame of my 98,000 mile 08, was quoted $500 labor from the dealer, found a local repair shop with excellent reviews that welds frames and guarantees them to pass Pa Inspections , will weld the entire back side for $159 + tax...I jumped on it! the only rust on the entire underside will soon be remedied.
 
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#12 ·
I have a 2008 Patriot with a manufacture date of September 2007. I just had the oil changed at the Jeep dealership. When I picked it up, they told me my front crossmember was rotted through with holes in it. They said it would need to be replaced soon.

I read the threads on this forum and on the Compass forum about the extended warranty offered to 2007 owners and how some 2008 Compass owners with the same problem obtained coverage even though their Compasses were made after the July 31, 2007 cutoff date. One had a manufacture date of November 2007 and another October 2007.

I contacted Jeep Cares and they don't care. The representative said the extended coverage only covered those models made through July 31, 2007. I asked for a manager and was told a manager would have to call me back. That was 5 days ago and no call back.

This is a safety issue and they should be covering the 2008s with the same parts as 2007s.
 
#18 ·
Had to have our Subframe replaced...none to happy about it either. Not covered under the salt belt warranty/recall though, it clearly should be...dealer even looked up the part number and said it was the same as the 2008 which is covered under warranty/recall...same problem, same part, not covered. I called Chrysler and pled my case...they were less than receptive. Refused to consider helping one bit.

Very disappointing, indeed.

-Chris in Vermont
 
#19 ·
I also have a Sub-Frame rusting problem with my 2009 Jeep Patriot. My dealer agreed that it should not have rotted with 109K miles so they brought the case to the District Manager who declined the request. They stict to the 3 year, 30K miles warranty. The dealer then gave me an number to call to plead my case to jeep customer service - 800-992-1997. I spent ~ 30 minutes explaining everything and then was put on hold for another 15 minutes while the guy called the dealer. After all this he came back and said that they could not overturn the District Managers decision. So then why was I given the additional phone number to call? They said there was nothing else I could do! So I plan on never buying a Jeep again! There are many other SUV's to select from. I hate to say it but the Korean vehicles are excellent quality and they stand behind their products as opposed to hiding behind them as Jeep is doing to us. Very sleazy mode of operation....... they have a know problem and won't help!
 
#23 ·
I can relate because, I was just told the same thing about my 2009 Patriot, big expense and big headache. what I think needs to happen is to 1) start a blog against jeep and Chrysler, 2) file a class action suit against chrysler 3) call every news station with these investigative reporters that claim they can help , and bombard them with complaints so it goes public through the media, 4) contact the consumer protection agency... But all that being said , we have to remember that our president bailed out chrysler and is part owner of chrysler.. which by the way, I thought the government couldn't invest in private business? again look at our corrupt government and realize this will go nowhere. Maybe we should all drive to chrysler headquarters in michigan and have a jeep patriot bonfire in the parking lot. I'll bet that will get national attention.....LMAO, Just Sayin
 
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#24 ·
The crossmember of my 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited rusted through and completely broke. The local dealership quoted about $1300. I contacted Chrysler/Jeep but they were of no assistance. I've paid for repairs on this vehicle without asking for assistance including the CVT. I understand that parts break. However, this is a non-moving structural component, a hunk of steel. And for it to rust completely through and break before the vehicle is even 10 years old is just unacceptable to me. Plus, it just doesn't seem right that Chrysler/Jeep is covering this issue on vehicles 2 years older than mine, but when I have the exact same issue I'm left out in the cold. It seems this problem extends to more than just the 2007 models; as this really shouldn't have happened on a vehicle less than 10 years old. Explained all this to Chrysler/Jeep customer service, still nothing they would do. I don't even care if they don't cover the whole repair, it just seems like they should so *something*. *smh* my grandfather and mother both owned Jeeps, and I really love the brand, but if they consider it acceptable for a non-moving structural component to rust through and break on a vehicle less than 10 years old, I have some thinking to do about what my next vehicle will be.
Hi caseyac,

Can you PM your VIN? I'd like to look in to this situation for you.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#25 · (Edited)
Well the forum just threw my message away, so I'm going to re-type it and hope for a hail mary.

Long story short, purchased a 2008 Patriot North Edition in March of last year. 190,000km. I live in Toronto, Ontario. All was well with it until mere miles after I passed emissions and headed to the Ministry to register the vehicle and get my plate sticker. Motor seized up on the highway. No oil indicator even came on, just knocked and then seized up out of the blue. Oil pump grenaded, something got stuck in a gallery or something, 2 cylinders were bone dry. Replaced it. Starter then quit. Replaced it. $2,000 later, Back on the road.

Fast forward to present, front end needed work, links seized up. The Pat was intermittently throwing throttle control / traction control lights up and going into limp. Restart cleared every time. Also since the motor replacement, a pulley or tensioner something squealed until I reached operating temp. Time for a tire rotation as well, so I scraped up every dime I could and headed to a trusted mechanic to have the problems addressed.

Except they weren't addressed. As soon as the vehicle went up on the hoist, they called me over to show me the subframe, which was rotting right out. They sent me home while they made calls to find a replacement (edit - while typing this, they found one for $1000. Told me not to go for it and wait for a cheaper solution.)

Thing is, I'm poor. I'm trying to work my way out of a rough financial situation and I relied upon this vehicle to commute. Without it, I have no other option at the moment.

I baby my vehicles to the best of my ability and this Pat was no exception. Just before the motor went, (right after purchase during my temporary permit) I did 2 short OCI with quality oil and filters, fresh plugs, new filters and PS fluid, etc.

The rest of the undercarriage is spotless, save for the subframe. This round of repairs has more than doubled in cost. I do not have this money and It's going to cost me my job.

I don't have the time or the heart to escalate this with Chrysler, or drive to dealerships trying to plead my case.

If any of this recall/replacement information applies to me, @JeepCares, or anyone else with the knowledge, I'm sitting here armed with my VIN. Please Help!
 
#27 ·
Chrysler Won't Honour Warranty

I would NOT recommend buying a Jeep or any Chrysler. They use substandard parts and do not honour the warranty. I have a 2007 Compass in which the crossmembers (basically the entire underbelly of the car) are prone to EARLY and SEVERE rust/corrosion. Also on the 2007 Patriots. Chrysler refuses to replace them until there is a hole or they fall off. I had to insist that the dealer put it up on the hoist so that I could show him a hole. The rear crossmember is going to rot through any time and could fall off at that point causing an accident and even death. Then they will fix it. It is a waiting game. They won't fix it until it rusts all the way through, but when it does you could be on the highway when falls off! Please share this with as many people as you can; especially anyone owning a 2007 Jeep Compass or Patriot.
I urge anyone else with this problem who is willing to pursue a class action suit to contact me at moscoeh@gmail.com.
 
#29 ·
I would NOT recommend buying a Jeep or any Chrysler. They use substandard parts and do not honour the warranty. I have a 2007 Compass in which the crossmembers (basically the entire underbelly of the car) are prone to EARLY and SEVERE rust/corrosion. Also on the 2007 Patriots. Chrysler refuses to replace them until there is a hole or they fall off. I had to insist that the dealer put it up on the hoist so that I could show him a hole. The rear crossmember is going to rot through any time and could fall off at that point causing an accident and even death. Then they will fix it. It is a waiting game. They won't fix it until it rusts all the way through, but when it does you could be on the highway when falls off! Please share this with as many people as you can; especially anyone owning a 2007 Jeep Compass or Patriot.
I urge anyone else with this problem who is willing to pursue a class action suit to contact me at moscoeh@gmail.com.
Hi Cheryl,

I'd be happy to look further in to this for you--to clarify was it confirmed that you do have the extended warranty on your vehicle, the dealership just will not perform the repair?

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#28 ·
Uh, welcome to the forum. If you look around this website you'll find a lot of happy Patriot owners. Some (like me) have even had problems but FCA honored the warranty. Just last week they fixed my tranny leak at 235,000 miles--no charge, no problem. At least in my situation they honored the warranty.

If you'll take a little time to investigate even this thread, you will learn that FCA has certainly taken care of other 2007s with your rust problem so I don't know why they wouldn't take care of you. Are you the original owner? That might make a difference. Still it doesn't hurt to try.

Try contacting JeepCares in the previous posts above. Since you've been to a dealer JeepCares might be able to follow up and shepherd you through the warranty process and hopefully come to a fair resolution. May I suggest a conciliatory attitude could go a long way toward finding a resolution. :)

Finally, no one should be surprised if a 10 year old vehicle has rust problems. Like people, vehicles don't last forever. I remember my Dad ripping part of the frame off his '69 Dodge with his bare hands -- I'd guess it was about 12 years old at the time -- too many New England winters. He traded it in . . . somebody bought it . . . :|
 
#34 · (Edited)
Don't bother Jeep Cares this early. First, go through the perscribed channels. Save Kori & Andrea for the tough stuff.

The action is new in the last week so it may be that their letter hasn't gotten down from the office to the service desk yet.

The letter says you can request reimbursement for work already done by visiting their reimbursement website or you can write to them. My guess is the website will be faster.

The mailing address and the web address are both in the letter attached to post #20 and post #30 in this thread.

Good luck!
 
#44 ·
I have 2011 Patriot and I just had to replace both my control arms and ball joints for the second time in less than 2 yrs (131k miles on it) . Should I expect to get these replaced every other year?. Unfortunately, the warranty on the labor was only 24k miles and I drove 31k, so I am out of pocket again..frustrated! Anyone else replacing these parts often?
 
#45 ·
Somehow I've avoided the problem and I drive a lot of pretty rough roads -- frost heaves, etc. The best wisdom I've heard it to avoid OEM replacements, and get aftermarket parts. Your second repair likely speaks to the inferiority of the OEM parts. Others on the site may point you to the better brands for replacement.
 
#46 ·
Hi

I posted back in December, here is my ongoing saga related to subframe failure - also posted on another jeep forum, so forgive my cut n paste...

Just a post to help warn people about the subframe 'warranty' and how Jeep will try to recoup their losses by charging you for 'other repairs'.

Also, if anyone has more advice on this matter that would be great!

My subframe failed in downtown Toronto in Feb 2016, luckily at low speed, if it was high speed I think it would have resulted in a catastrophic crash.

It sat at my place, covered, with wheels off and brakes wrapped and protected, through the summer.

I started the 'recall' process in August/Sept last year. It took several weeks to get approval as my Jeep Patriot 2008 was not on the list for recall at the time, only up to 2007. I got a 'goodwill' phone offer and it was towed to a local dealer, who will remain nameless for the time being...

It took 2 MONTHS for the dealer to take the required photos and look at the vehicle, at one point they even asked ME how they could get the vehicle up on the ramp to inspect it as it was not driveable. At that point I should have realized these guys were not in the least interested in repairing my car.

The service desk kept saying I would have to pay for some parts as they would only fix the subframe, and not anything else that needed repairing. This is unacceptable as it broke whilst being driven! There is a lot of other damage.

After a lot of calls, some angry, AND a letter from me to the CEO of FCA in Windsor, miraculously, soon after that letter, the car was on the ramp!
More calls ensued with dealer and they got extremely angry when I kept saying I wouldn't pay anything for repairs.

It took another 2-3 months to get 'authorization' and the offer letter.
The offer letter was very obtuse and contains the phrase ' Please consider our goodwill offer....ONCE all other repairs have been completed". They keep saying that Jeep has to 'make the vehicle safe or roadworthy' and that is their policy. This is ridiculous. The vehicle came in completely unroadworthy and I shouldn't have to accept other repairs that I may want to have done by a local and much cheaper mechanic, or sell it for spare parts or sell it 'as is'. It appears they are forcing me into paying for repairs they deem necessary so as to make money out of the deal. They did offer to repair subframe AND 'related repairs', whatever that entails.. but no list of parts or costings.

Funnily enough, about a week after this letter, the recall notice arrived....

I sent a registered letter to the dealer asking for a quote for repairs and a breakdown of the costs associated, what they are going to repair , what they are not etc with 7 days to reply.

As of today no reply, 2 weeks later, and its still sitting at the dealers, outside I might add, all through winter in the snow and rain, uncovered.

Oh yeh, the manager phoned me at one point and wanted to tow it back to my house as there was a big snowstorm coming and "as I didn't want it repaired' it needed to be out of the way. I declined, and told him he should have received the offer letter, he had no knowledge of it..

SOOO be very wary of your recalls and if anyone can help with getting this vehicle repaired I'd appreciate the help.

If not, next stop CBC Go Public, papers, media and small claims court.

The sad thing is, I liked the vehicle, and maybe would have been a continuing Jeep customer if I'd got better service. Not now, oh hell no...

Thanks in advance
 
#49 ·
Hi, The sad thing is, I liked the vehicle, and maybe would have been a continuing Jeep customer if I'd got better service. Not now, oh hell no...

Thanks in advance
Sorry to hear about your extremely unfortunate experience with the dealer. Sadly, you can go to any vehicle brand forum and find people saying the very exact thing....."never again will I purchase brand "x,y,z" based on the dealer service experience.

In the U.S., there are lemon laws that cover exceptional out-of-service times. Lemon law lawyers will take on the case pro bono IF they are confident they will win. its sad when it has to go to this level.

Manufacturers - wake up and get these scum bag dealers in line!
 
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