I own a 2011 Jeep Patriot, 2 WD 5 speed manual transmission. I bought it used in Washington State in 2012. It had about 28,000 miles on it. Clean CarFax except for one minor recall item unrelated to the transmission. The dealer went through the vehicle and gave me a report. Long story longer I noticed a whirring sound I had never noticed before. Hit the gas it whirred. In neutral no whir. Increase in speed increase in whir. Had a 60,000 mile maintenance done on the vehicle (at 68,000 miles) by my personal mechanic. He drained the manual transmission oil, there were no metal filings (yet), the oil was clean, no burnt smell. The level was fine. He suspected a bad transmission, and mentioned it will only get worse. I agreed. I took the vehicle to Rairdons Jeep Chrsyler in Kirkland WA.
After a teardown of the clutch and transmission it was determined the transmission bearings had failed and that that failure was leading to a complete transmission failure. I suspect the bearings were of inferior quality that Jeep Chrysler uses to cut costs and increase their margins. My opinion. But I suspect the bearings came from a country not known for their Total Quality Management programs. The cost of a new clutch and transmission was going to be $5,600. Roughly 6 months of mortgage payments. The vehicle was 9 months past 60,000 mile warranty. I howled foul. Howled!! A transmission fails 9 months out of warranty? Is this planned obsolescence? A Jeep with a failed transmission with 68,000 miles? Preposterous...but true. Wasn't it Jeep that conquered Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Khe Sanh? John Wayne riding in a Jeep. Clint Eastwood riding in a Jeep. Douglas MacArthur riding in a Jeep smoking his corncob pipe. That Jeep??
The service manager spoke with Jeep Chrsyler and the $5,600 was brokered down to $3,300. I agreed to pay for the clutch work as that it is a normal wear item at 70,000 miles. That cost $1,700. Ultimately I did pay $3,300 for a rebuilt transmission and a new clutch. The way I see it Jeep Chrsyler owes me $ 1,900 for the transmission work ($5600- 2000-1700=1900). Ethically. Morally. Reputation. Transmissions do not fail at 68,000 miles no way no how. I've always had Toyotas and they are bullet proof. 180,000 miles and they don't burn a drop of oil. Not a drop.
Like it or not Rairdons is a Jeep dealer. When we have a problem with a vehicle we don't drive to Detroit or Mexico and ask them to take a look at it. We take the vehicle to the closest dealer. The dealer is the face of the manufacturer. The spokesperson if you will.
It's no wonder, no wonder at all that Chrylser went bust in the 80's. Nobody wants to buy junk. Not when there are much better vehicles to be had for the same money. It's also no small wonder most people don't want to buy "American".
Rairdon's Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Kirkland Reviews
I own a 2011 Jeep Patriot, 2 WD 5 speed manual transmission. I bought it used in Washington State in 2012. It had about 28,000 miles on it. Clean CarFax except for one minor recall item unrelated to the transmission. The dealer went through the vehicle and gave me a report. Long story longer I noticed a whirring sound I had never noticed before. Hit the gas it whirred. In neutral no whir. Increase in speed increase in whir. Had a 60,000 mile maintenance done on the vehicle (at 68,000 miles) by my personal mechanic. He drained the manual transmission oil, there were no metal filings (yet), the oil was clean, no burnt smell. The level was fine. He suspected a bad transmission, and mentioned it will only get worse. I agreed. I took the vehicle to Rairdons Jeep Chrsyler in Kirkland WA.
After a teardown of the clutch and transmission it was determined the transmission bearings had failed and that that failure was leading to a complete transmission failure. I suspect the bearings were of inferior quality that Jeep Chrysler uses to cut costs and increase their margins. My opinion. But I suspect the bearings came from a country not known for their Total Quality Management programs. The cost of a new clutch and transmission was going to be $5,600. Roughly 6 months of mortgage payments. The vehicle was 9 months past 60,000 mile warranty. I howled foul. Howled!! A transmission fails 9 months out of warranty? Is this planned obsolescence? A Jeep with a failed transmission with 68,000 miles? Preposterous...but true. Wasn't it Jeep that conquered Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Khe Sanh? John Wayne riding in a Jeep. Clint Eastwood riding in a Jeep. Douglas MacArthur riding in a Jeep smoking his corncob pipe. That Jeep??
The service manager spoke with Jeep Chrsyler and the $5,600 was brokered down to $3,300. I agreed to pay for the clutch work as that it is a normal wear item at 70,000 miles. That cost $1,700. Ultimately I did pay $3,300 for a rebuilt transmission and a new clutch. The way I see it Jeep Chrsyler owes me $ 1,900 for the transmission work ($5600- 2000-1700=1900). Ethically. Morally. Reputation. Transmissions do not fail at 68,000 miles no way no how. I've always had Toyotas and they are bullet proof. 180,000 miles and they don't burn a drop of oil. Not a drop.
Like it or not Rairdons is a Jeep dealer. When we have a problem with a vehicle we don't drive to Detroit or Mexico and ask them to take a look at it. We take the vehicle to the closest dealer. The dealer is the face of the manufacturer. The spokesperson if you will.
It's no wonder, no wonder at all that Chrylser went bust in the 80's. Nobody wants to buy junk. Not when there are much better vehicles to be had for the same money. It's also no small wonder most people don't want to buy "American".
I'd like to know your opinions on this matter.