Hi folks
So now as I've replaced the battery in my 2l limited CRD I find myself browsing threads about leaks and wondering when I should attempt to remove the headliner of my jeep and confront the cause of the water in my dome lights, spare tyre compartement and the sodden floor carpet.
I also now find myself browsing the for sale signs for other cars and wondering at what stage in my finance deal I'm best trying to get a good part ex on a car that doesn't have the Pats problems. The following is a slightly edited version of a letter I sent of to Fiat/Chrysler to offer them a chance to repond:
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to highlight the catalogue of faults with the above vehicle and invite you to respond. A copy of this letter can also be found on the Jeep Patriot blog at www.jeeppatriot.com.
I purchased the vehicle in question from The dealer on 14/12/2007 as an ex demonstration model with approximately 5k miles on the clock. As I write the car has approximately 42k miles.
The car (Jeep Patriot Limited CRD) was serviced by The dealer at 9k, 18K and 27k miles. The 36k service and MOT were carried out by an independent garage who failed the MOT due to excessive wear on the driver’s side ball joint. The reason for not using The dealer for the 36k service was that I was not confident that they would identify warranty issues at a time when the warranty was within weeks of expiring. The dealer did however carry out the repair and, after some debate, provided a courtesy car.
During my ownership of the car the following warranty repairs have been carried out by The dealer :
Three new alloy wheels due to corrosion (The forth showed no signs of corrosion at that time)
Replacement driver door locking mechanism (the door stopped responding to either manual or keyless entry)
Drivers side ball Joint replaced (issue identified by independent garage but repair carried out by The dealer )
Replacement fog lamps (I had to point out that a TSB existed for this issue)
One further replacement wheel (two were supposed to be replaced at that time under warranty however one could not be due to a bald tyre. The forth wheel which had never been replaced was also corroded but Chrysler Jeep would not honour this repair as there was also kerbing on that wheel. The dealer had agreed to split the cost of replacing that wheel as a gesture of goodwill but was again unable to do so because of a bald tyre and have since withdrawn the offer as, with the cost of replacing two tyres, I could not afford to pay my half within a month of their offer).
Related to above one replacement wheel is outstanding to be replaced under OEM warranty
In addition to the above the car has had to be repaired twice at the roadside for, what would now appear to be, a battery failure.
At my own cost I have replaced the battery and had a seized rear brake calliper freed by an independent garage after I had to replace my rear brakes twice within eight weeks.
In late November 2010 (the warranty expired in June 2010) I noticed water leaking from my front dome light. Since then I have also had water leak from my rear dome light, discovered a puddle under my spare wheel and the car floor is drenched. After very little research it turns out that this is also a problem common to Patriot models of this age and that a TSB had also been issued. The car is however out of warranty. I have not contacted The dealer regarding this issue as (perhaps due to the catalogue of problems) I have lost faith in their being able to resolve the issue.
It should also be noted that, in early November whilst replacing one of the wheels, The dealer also stated that there was some leaking in the suspension struts. There has been no evidence of this however when replacement tyres were fitted.
My questions to Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd (FGAUK Ltd) are:
The excessive ball joint wear and associated problems with Tie Rods, wishbones and suspension are a known fault with this car as noted by the Automobile Association. These issues present the possibility for fatalities yet owners have not been contacted to have their cars inspected nor has there been a blanket recall that I am aware of. Even though my issue was fixed under warranty for the failure at MOT I have no knowledge of them inspecting or replacing the other ball joint at that time leaving me to wonder if or when it will fail, whether it will do so in dangerous circumstances or what it will cost if or when it does.
Why do you continue to fit the same wheels as a replacement when they appear to have a lifespan of less than two years? Associated to this why do I have to pay for a repair to one of the wheels that the garage have agreed is faulty as a result of corrosion because I have been unfortunate enough to have unrelated kerbing on the same wheel? (I would be more understanding had all the other wheels not required replacing)
Is it normal for a high performance battery to require replacement after three years or is there a known issue with European diesel model batteries failing within this time frame?
What, if anything, do you offer as a solution to the known issue of water ingress? Am I just unlucky because I didn’t discover the fault in time whilst still under warranty? As I understand it the water will be coming from the roof rails and will have damaged the headliner, perhaps electronics and probably all interior carpets)
Do you accept that this is a ridiculous set of circumstances for a car that is less than four years old or do you simply suggest that I mask the faults as best as I can and sell the car to some other unsuspecting motorist?
I bought in to Jeep as a brand believing that it would offer excellent comfort and ability. I wanted a large and safe car as I do a lot of long journeys. All of my mileage is either motorway or urban and the car has never been taken off road. I’ve stopped talking to my friends and colleagues about my car problems as it is actually embarrassing to own such a poor example of the jeep brand.
I would be greatful if you would reply this directly rather than passing it back through the dealer. I look forward to your response to these issues which I will, with your permission, add to the blog at www.jeeppatriot.com.
Yours Sincerely
So now as I've replaced the battery in my 2l limited CRD I find myself browsing threads about leaks and wondering when I should attempt to remove the headliner of my jeep and confront the cause of the water in my dome lights, spare tyre compartement and the sodden floor carpet.
I also now find myself browsing the for sale signs for other cars and wondering at what stage in my finance deal I'm best trying to get a good part ex on a car that doesn't have the Pats problems. The following is a slightly edited version of a letter I sent of to Fiat/Chrysler to offer them a chance to repond:
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to highlight the catalogue of faults with the above vehicle and invite you to respond. A copy of this letter can also be found on the Jeep Patriot blog at www.jeeppatriot.com.
I purchased the vehicle in question from The dealer on 14/12/2007 as an ex demonstration model with approximately 5k miles on the clock. As I write the car has approximately 42k miles.
The car (Jeep Patriot Limited CRD) was serviced by The dealer at 9k, 18K and 27k miles. The 36k service and MOT were carried out by an independent garage who failed the MOT due to excessive wear on the driver’s side ball joint. The reason for not using The dealer for the 36k service was that I was not confident that they would identify warranty issues at a time when the warranty was within weeks of expiring. The dealer did however carry out the repair and, after some debate, provided a courtesy car.
During my ownership of the car the following warranty repairs have been carried out by The dealer :
Three new alloy wheels due to corrosion (The forth showed no signs of corrosion at that time)
Replacement driver door locking mechanism (the door stopped responding to either manual or keyless entry)
Drivers side ball Joint replaced (issue identified by independent garage but repair carried out by The dealer )
Replacement fog lamps (I had to point out that a TSB existed for this issue)
One further replacement wheel (two were supposed to be replaced at that time under warranty however one could not be due to a bald tyre. The forth wheel which had never been replaced was also corroded but Chrysler Jeep would not honour this repair as there was also kerbing on that wheel. The dealer had agreed to split the cost of replacing that wheel as a gesture of goodwill but was again unable to do so because of a bald tyre and have since withdrawn the offer as, with the cost of replacing two tyres, I could not afford to pay my half within a month of their offer).
Related to above one replacement wheel is outstanding to be replaced under OEM warranty
In addition to the above the car has had to be repaired twice at the roadside for, what would now appear to be, a battery failure.
At my own cost I have replaced the battery and had a seized rear brake calliper freed by an independent garage after I had to replace my rear brakes twice within eight weeks.
In late November 2010 (the warranty expired in June 2010) I noticed water leaking from my front dome light. Since then I have also had water leak from my rear dome light, discovered a puddle under my spare wheel and the car floor is drenched. After very little research it turns out that this is also a problem common to Patriot models of this age and that a TSB had also been issued. The car is however out of warranty. I have not contacted The dealer regarding this issue as (perhaps due to the catalogue of problems) I have lost faith in their being able to resolve the issue.
It should also be noted that, in early November whilst replacing one of the wheels, The dealer also stated that there was some leaking in the suspension struts. There has been no evidence of this however when replacement tyres were fitted.
My questions to Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd (FGAUK Ltd) are:
The excessive ball joint wear and associated problems with Tie Rods, wishbones and suspension are a known fault with this car as noted by the Automobile Association. These issues present the possibility for fatalities yet owners have not been contacted to have their cars inspected nor has there been a blanket recall that I am aware of. Even though my issue was fixed under warranty for the failure at MOT I have no knowledge of them inspecting or replacing the other ball joint at that time leaving me to wonder if or when it will fail, whether it will do so in dangerous circumstances or what it will cost if or when it does.
Why do you continue to fit the same wheels as a replacement when they appear to have a lifespan of less than two years? Associated to this why do I have to pay for a repair to one of the wheels that the garage have agreed is faulty as a result of corrosion because I have been unfortunate enough to have unrelated kerbing on the same wheel? (I would be more understanding had all the other wheels not required replacing)
Is it normal for a high performance battery to require replacement after three years or is there a known issue with European diesel model batteries failing within this time frame?
What, if anything, do you offer as a solution to the known issue of water ingress? Am I just unlucky because I didn’t discover the fault in time whilst still under warranty? As I understand it the water will be coming from the roof rails and will have damaged the headliner, perhaps electronics and probably all interior carpets)
Do you accept that this is a ridiculous set of circumstances for a car that is less than four years old or do you simply suggest that I mask the faults as best as I can and sell the car to some other unsuspecting motorist?
I bought in to Jeep as a brand believing that it would offer excellent comfort and ability. I wanted a large and safe car as I do a lot of long journeys. All of my mileage is either motorway or urban and the car has never been taken off road. I’ve stopped talking to my friends and colleagues about my car problems as it is actually embarrassing to own such a poor example of the jeep brand.
I would be greatful if you would reply this directly rather than passing it back through the dealer. I look forward to your response to these issues which I will, with your permission, add to the blog at www.jeeppatriot.com.
Yours Sincerely
I once owned a Cherokee that was pretty dismal 
