I'm in shock after the turn of events over the last month. Let me start from the beginning.
Two years ago, we purchased a 2013 Dodge Dart SXT special edition, 6 speed manual with the 1.4L turbo. Within a few hundred miles, it saw the shop for hesitation issues and a ticking sound at idle in the shifter. Then a few months later it went back into the shop for a TSB on the rattling interior dome light in the rear passenger section. Few more months went by, the clutch went out and needed a new master and slave cylinder.
The last straw happened a month ago when me and my wife returned from our wedding in July only to find the Dart completely dead at home. I tested the battery, and it passed my voltmeter tests and so did the alternator. Jumped it and it started fine. Hours later, had no problems starting it. Came out the next morning and it was dead. I had nothing plugged into any outlets so I had no idea what drained it. Trying to start the car would cause the windshield wipers to turn on and the needles on the gauges to tick. It was dead again.
On the drive to work for my wife on a highway, she cancelled her Cruise Control (Not turned off) and took a corner onto another highway. The gauges all lit up like a Christmas tree and the needles bounced. Her car started fishtailing in the turn. After almost hitting the side concrete barriers, she regained control. Shortly afterwards, the car accelerated to over 100 mph on its own and wouldn't let her slow down. She finally was able to get the cruise control completely off and pulled the car over to the shoulder and called me panicked at 6:30 am. Not a normal phone call I get at all so I know it was serious. Chrysler towed the vehicle at no charge to the dealership we got it from and held onto it.
After a month of "we replaced the battery and flashed the ECU", Chrysler offered to buy back the Dart at full MSRP minus a usage fee.
After a hectic month, we got a chance to drive several loaner vehicles and my wife loved the Renegade because it fit her back well since she has a back injury. We found a 2015 Sierra Blue Renegade Lattitude that had the popular equipment group and the cold weather package which was perfect for the options we wanted. We got it in the 2.4L engine with the 9 speed auto transmission. Really excited, we got all the paperwork done quickly and we were on our way on Saturday, 8/22. The car started with 51 miles. We drove home, then realized we forgot something in a loaner vehicle so we drove back to get it. We threw our FIRST check engine light at 81 miles on the way back. The oil pressure light was on solid, and the ETC light (lightning bolt one) was flashing. The engine went into limp mode and we couldn't go over 35 mph. We took it to the dealership and they cleared the codes in the service department and gave us the car back. Just yesterday, the light came on again for my wife on her trip to work, same conditions again. Chrysler towed the vehicle on a flatbed to the dealership and it currently sits there diagnosing the P0108 code. This is most likely due to a poor quality control of the vehicle and it has a vacuum leak is my first thought, but we won't know more until today or later this week.
As you can see, this is highly frustrating. I personally drive a 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco Premium and I drove it back from Columbus, GA to Austin, TX without a single issue. I've always been a japanese car fan because they are very reliable. Chrysler reliability has me really second guessing both of these purchases at this point. I really like the Renegade. It's a fun, nimble car, and has spunk. It fits my wife perfectly with her personality and her back. I just don't want to have to worry about finding it on the side of a road needing to be towed.
Not a first good experience unfortunately, but we will see what happens in the end result with the Renegade. I really don't want to have to lemon a vehicle. Thankfully, the dealership we have dealt with has been fantastic. Mainly, the general manager.
Two years ago, we purchased a 2013 Dodge Dart SXT special edition, 6 speed manual with the 1.4L turbo. Within a few hundred miles, it saw the shop for hesitation issues and a ticking sound at idle in the shifter. Then a few months later it went back into the shop for a TSB on the rattling interior dome light in the rear passenger section. Few more months went by, the clutch went out and needed a new master and slave cylinder.
The last straw happened a month ago when me and my wife returned from our wedding in July only to find the Dart completely dead at home. I tested the battery, and it passed my voltmeter tests and so did the alternator. Jumped it and it started fine. Hours later, had no problems starting it. Came out the next morning and it was dead. I had nothing plugged into any outlets so I had no idea what drained it. Trying to start the car would cause the windshield wipers to turn on and the needles on the gauges to tick. It was dead again.
On the drive to work for my wife on a highway, she cancelled her Cruise Control (Not turned off) and took a corner onto another highway. The gauges all lit up like a Christmas tree and the needles bounced. Her car started fishtailing in the turn. After almost hitting the side concrete barriers, she regained control. Shortly afterwards, the car accelerated to over 100 mph on its own and wouldn't let her slow down. She finally was able to get the cruise control completely off and pulled the car over to the shoulder and called me panicked at 6:30 am. Not a normal phone call I get at all so I know it was serious. Chrysler towed the vehicle at no charge to the dealership we got it from and held onto it.
After a month of "we replaced the battery and flashed the ECU", Chrysler offered to buy back the Dart at full MSRP minus a usage fee.
After a hectic month, we got a chance to drive several loaner vehicles and my wife loved the Renegade because it fit her back well since she has a back injury. We found a 2015 Sierra Blue Renegade Lattitude that had the popular equipment group and the cold weather package which was perfect for the options we wanted. We got it in the 2.4L engine with the 9 speed auto transmission. Really excited, we got all the paperwork done quickly and we were on our way on Saturday, 8/22. The car started with 51 miles. We drove home, then realized we forgot something in a loaner vehicle so we drove back to get it. We threw our FIRST check engine light at 81 miles on the way back. The oil pressure light was on solid, and the ETC light (lightning bolt one) was flashing. The engine went into limp mode and we couldn't go over 35 mph. We took it to the dealership and they cleared the codes in the service department and gave us the car back. Just yesterday, the light came on again for my wife on her trip to work, same conditions again. Chrysler towed the vehicle on a flatbed to the dealership and it currently sits there diagnosing the P0108 code. This is most likely due to a poor quality control of the vehicle and it has a vacuum leak is my first thought, but we won't know more until today or later this week.
As you can see, this is highly frustrating. I personally drive a 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco Premium and I drove it back from Columbus, GA to Austin, TX without a single issue. I've always been a japanese car fan because they are very reliable. Chrysler reliability has me really second guessing both of these purchases at this point. I really like the Renegade. It's a fun, nimble car, and has spunk. It fits my wife perfectly with her personality and her back. I just don't want to have to worry about finding it on the side of a road needing to be towed.
Not a first good experience unfortunately, but we will see what happens in the end result with the Renegade. I really don't want to have to lemon a vehicle. Thankfully, the dealership we have dealt with has been fantastic. Mainly, the general manager.
