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Water infiltration problem!! No sunroof!

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#161 ·
I got a call from the dealership regarding my patriot (I think I have a Patriot... can't quite remember?) They said they found a leak and this time it is leaking throught the roofracks and took pictures to prove it to me. Maybe they figured on the sixth time they better prove to me they did something right. I get it back tomorrow, and I am demanding freebies (any suggestions) from the dealership for my aggravation, time wasted and stresssssss! Keep you posted.
 
#163 ·
KFC: If you had to do it all over again, you wouldn't buy a Patriot?

I have been very happy with mine so far. [knock on wood]

I have had no leaks but must say I have no cracked open the sunroof since last fall. I do experience the flappen hood issue ever now and then but with a long warranty and the number of flappen hoods out there, I am willing to wait for a final resolution and take my Pat in for that repair. My Pat was built in April 07.

jbettscanada: Welcome to the forums. Where in Canada are you? Just trying to zero in on the dealership. Someone here posted a *fix* for a rear dome light leak by plugging silicone at the rubber grommet where the drain hole goes on top from the liftgate. The grommet on my Pat is sealed with some kind of dark sealant. Looks like it came that way from the factory.

If the small sampling from the leak poll is any indication, there appears to be about 12.5% occurrence of leaks originating at the roof. That's a large number.
 
#164 ·
Yea Kwasi...I probably wouldn't have bought one. I have lost all excitment about owning it. Im at the point now, that I don't even bother selecting a parking spot away from all others at the mall anymore. I'll cram it in no matter how small the spot is.
I have since driven and have read reviews pertaining to equivilant (sic) Japanese vehicles, and I must say they seem far superior in my opinion. Re-sale value is better as well.
I don't know..the best thing I like about the vehicle is the styling, the roomie driving compartment and the comfortable seats, thats about it. I have just been reading too many issues in here, to have built up a good comfort level of whats in store down the road as the vehicle starts to age. These thin body panels.,,does this mean that rusting may start a bit prematurely?
It amazes me that the leaking issue seems very rampant meanwhile we have all these dealerships across North America that can't really seem to get on the same page as it pertains to fixing the issue correctly the 1st time. Also I feel my exeriances with the dealership haven't been as personalized as I would have hoped. I got ripped off for $100 bucks for a non deliverable option, that I brought to light during the customer satisfaction survey and have heard nothing back. Follow-up calls with the sales rep on numerious occasions has only been futile, as all I ever hear is a bunch of lip service and broken promises over restitution. Im at the point now they can keep their friggin 100 bucks. This doesn't help my opinion pertaining to Chrysler. I don't care that different dealerships act differently. They are representitives of Chrysler, so Chrysler needs to step up to the plate and be accountable for them
The posted mpg's for this vehicle seem somewhat inflated, and the more I drive the CVT, the more need I find to turn up the radio so i don't have to listen to it's constant moaning. (not too much tho, as I hear you can blow the factory speakers easily).
Once again, I should have gone Japanese, even if it meant that it would have cost me another 5k.
 
Discussion starter · #167 ·
Hello all,

I haven't replied for quite some time since each time I do, no long after the water starting coming back inside the car.

However, this time, IT IS OVER!

They finally found the leak, after changing dealership 2 time. The last one found it first try!

They said the leak was under the two track on each side of the roof (outside of the rack mount). There was a joint not correctly soldered. Unfortunately, I didn't see what they did exactly since it was all clipped back together, but this is where they said it was.

Now, there have been around 3 good rain so far and nothing inside. I am really happy now, not that I had a leak problem but that it is finally gone.

Now, I have to go back one last time to the original dealership because when they changed the ceiling inside, they didn't clip all the pieces back together adequately.

So, for all who have a rear dome light problem, ask the dealership to check the two track on each side of the roof (not the rackmount).
 
#170 ·
DavidOBE said:
Hello all,

I haven't replied for quite some time since each time I do, no long after the water starting coming back inside the car.

However, this time, IT IS OVER!

They finally found the leak, after changing dealership 2 time. The last one found it first try!

They said the leak was under the two track on each side of the roof (outside of the rack mount). There was a joint not correctly soldered. Unfortunately, I didn't see what they did exactly since it was all clipped back together, but this is where they said it was.

Now, there have been around 3 good rain so far and nothing inside. I am really happy now, not that I had a leak problem but that it is finally gone.

Now, I have to go back one last time to the original dealership because when they changed the ceiling inside, they didn't clip all the pieces back together adequately.

So, for all who have a rear dome light problem, ask the dealership to check the two track on each side of the roof (not the rackmount).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update david. Would there be any chance of a photo of the problem area?
 
#173 ·
I had the same problem with the plug for the rear wiper washer leaking water into the dome light when it rained. After three failed attempts by the dealer I had the dealer do the following: When you open the tailgate you will notice on the left hand side a flexible tube which contains the electirical wires for the rear wiper, license plate light etc. I had the dealer re-route the wiper fluid hose through this flex tube and then re seal the area where the wiper hose was originally with a rubber plug. So far no leaks.
 
#174 ·
I too am a prospective owner. I've been seriously looking at the Patriot and lurking here for awhile but after reading so many leak threads/posts I honestly just don't feel confident at all in purchasing one now, even without the sunroof. The poll seems to indicate nearly 1 in 10 people reporting leaks which is huge and it's not just isolated to 2007 MY.

Does Chrysler/Jeep have any official stance on this? Hard to believe there hasn't been some kind of recall by now.

I test drove a Pat last weekend and loved the ride but man, I just don't want to deal with leaks. What a bummer.

NP
 
#176 ·
NickelPlate said:
The poll seems to indicate nearly 1 in 10 people reporting leaks which is huge and it's not just isolated to 2007 MY.
NP
Click to expand...
I don't believe you would be advised to use the poll as an official way of measuring the leak problem. Remember the old adage "The squeakiest wheel gets the grease"? More people usually do not say anything when nothing is wrong, mostly the ones who DID have the problem.
We here in these forums are but a very VERY small percentage of Patriot owners out there and there is no way to accurately determine whether we are a true representation of owners and their problems or no problems.

Basically, I would hate to see you base your purchase decision solely on this poll. Go test drive one and ask questions to your dealer and service personnel. And don't forget the warranty IF there was a problem. (of which I have had none personally)
Here's to hoping you give the Patriot a fair chance,
Randy
 
#177 ·
Randoo-N-CJ said:
I don't believe you would be advised to use the poll as an official way of measuring the leak problem. Remember the old adage "The squeakiest wheel gets the grease"? More people usually do not say anything when nothing is wrong, mostly the ones who DID have the problem.
We here in these forums are but a very VERY small percentage of Patriot owners out there and there is no way to accurately determine whether we are a true representation of owners and their problems or no problems.

Basically, I would hate to see you base your purchase decision solely on this poll. Go test drive one and ask questions to your dealer and service personnel. And don't forget the warranty IF there was a problem. (of which I have had none personally)
Here's to hoping you give the Patriot a fair chance,
Randy
Click to expand...
Hi Randy,

I sure would like to give it a fair chance and haven't totally ruled it out. I drove one and loved it and no other manufacturer/model out there right now really floats my boat which is why I'm so bummed.

I know that no vehicle is perfect and they all have their issues. But water leaks are a pretty major deal and can be very damaging. You're right that this poll and forum is not really a very good statistical sample but it's still pretty scary to see all the water leak threads.

I think I will talk to some of my local dealers about this issue. Possibly even talk to the service managers and see if they've heard of it before, not sure they'd admit to it though.

NP
 
#178 ·
This is awful - Thank you for sharing.

As stated.. Document every visit and conversation.

I would ask them to replace the roof.. in fact, I would have them replace the roof after every time they claimed they fixed the leak. If not, mold, odors and stains will set over time. You bought a brand new car and that's what you should get.

If they can't fix it to original condition after several attempts then get your money back.

Something about the Patriot, the steel seems very thin everywhere.. it appears to be a very light car.

I have to wonder, with the lemon law, do they prorate the value of the car based on the purchase price or fair market value? I got my patriot in May 2008 at a steal (14k OTD) and paid cash for it. I wonder what would happen if I had to go through this now 6 months after the purchase.
 
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#179 ·
NickelPlate said:
You're right that this poll and forum is not really a very good statistical sample but it's still pretty scary to see all the water leak threads.
Click to expand...
There have been well over 100,000 Patriots and Compasses sold just in the US. Even if 100 people on this board had leaks that would be 0.1%. The problem is not as widespread as the number of threads (so many because just about each person that has a problem starts a new thread) would suggest.

There are definitely issues with several sunroofs, some issues with the seams along the roof, and issues with the area above the rear dome light. Instead of asking/worring about how many do have problems concentrate on the much larger group that do not have problems. Everything every produced will vary from unit to unit. Despite all of the horror stories on this forum, those stories are the unfortunate minority.

I am one of the fortunate ones that does not have a leak. You definitely will be playing russian roulette, but there is only 1 bullet in over 1000 chambers.
 
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#180 ·
Nickleplate. I share your leak concern. My new Riot (June 08 delivery) is still bone dry, touch wood. Like you, I was very concerned by all the postings on this leak grief.

At the time of ordering my new Pat, I expressed my fear to the dealer. Of course they tried to soothe me. When my jeep arrived at the dealership, I explicitly delayed accepting delivery until after 10 days of heavy rainfall in Toronto.
During this trial by water, I checked the Riot (not mine yet in title) sitting on the dealer's lot with the salesman, looking for leaks. We examined the fabled dome light area, the firewall area, all the weatherstrips. It was and still is, dry. After this proof, I accepted the delivery of the vehicle. You can call me paranoid. I bought the salesman & his manager some beers in return for delaying them. It was cheap insurance.

After reading a posting by firemothjoe(?) who described a preventative fix for the 0-plug in the back hatch, I noted that old Ford also suffered from that type of leakage problem. My Ford went to Car Heaven; but I'm going to apply the preventative fix to my new jeep soon. LOL

Nickleplate, you could go for the Patriot, and cover your bets with some rainy weather before delivery.

Postscript: We had the wettest July on record in the Toronto area. My jeep is still dry:)
 
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