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Defective Power Transfer Unit [FCA bought back Renegade]

32K views 30 replies 18 participants last post by  codev  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
(not sure if this is the right forum - i'm new to this forum stuff)

I miss my Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. It went back into the shop after only four days being able to drive it.

After the second day, a bright message popped up in the middle of the gauge cluster and said: "SERV 4WD 4WD CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE"

I thought it was just a tiny glitch on the second day, but I noted it. Two days later, Monday morning going into work, it was still very dark out and the message kept popping up almost randomly in the gauge cluster. A bigger problem is that this message doesn't acknowledge the dimming of the interior lights/gauges and shines at full brightness level. Blinding and very, very dangerous. Ever few minutes it would flash. Imagine, driving down a dark highway with the cluster dimmed - then suddenly a bright light from within the vehicle shines directly in your face from a couple feet away.

My Renegade is in the shop, since Wednesday (4/1/2015) night. They said there were numerous error codes in the transmission.

They found the defective Power Transfer Unit and had to order a new one. The new one won't arrive until next week Wednesday (4/8/2015).

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. I love this vehicle.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else has the same issue. It would be interesting to know if it is faulty engineering, a bad batch of several or just an isolated incident.

Take care,
Quark
 
#5 ·
Hopefully this is an isolated incident and not a common occurrence.
 
#7 ·
Not sure if related but...

I was test driving a Latitude in Atlanta and it completely lost power as the salesman was pulling it back onto the lot. They couldn't get it to restart and had to push her out of the way for other cars coming in from test drive. Scary and thank goddess we had 1) not been on the highway and 2) had switched places to get back into the dealership
 
#8 ·
UPDATE #1: Day 10

Hello, here is an update on the issue and what they've found:

Today is Friday, Apr-10-2015.

The dealership had to order a new "Power Transfer Unit". It arrived on Thursday, Apr-8-2015; a day late.

The technician worked on it all day and had encountered more issues. I don't know any of the codes yet, but after finally getting the new Power Transfer Case installed, it didn't work. They were on the phone with "STAR" - which, I was told, is a corporate support number to the engineers or something.

They couldn't fix it. Today, they spent all day on the phone with more engineers and are checking all the wiring - they thought that maybe a wire is loose. The engineers said something must've burnt out and to look for charring. There is no charring or melting. Additionally, there is another part that they think they need, but it currently doesn't appear in any of the "order-able" parts lists. It is so new, there is no part number assigned to it yet and it doesn't appear to exist, yet.

The vehicle is still being worked on and investigated.

I spoke with two of the top dogs at the dealership (which, by the way is a fantastic dealership with fantastic support and professionalism - www.NWJEEP.com) and we very briefly mentioned alternative options - such as buy-back or vehicle replacement - but it is too early to go down that path. The "rules" indicate the vehicle is either an non-reparable safety issue or it the vehicle is in service for a cumulative total of 30 days. We are on day 10 and by Monday, it will be day 13.

However, they left me with a distinct impression that they are handling this seriously and with full effort; at this point, that is the best I could hope.

On Monday, they expect to contact me with further details and perhaps a plan to discuss other options.

Quark :crying:
 
#13 ·
UPDATE #2: Day 41

Hello, here is an update on the issue and what they've found:

Today is Friday, Apr-10-2015.

The dealership had to order a new "Power Transfer Unit". It arrived on Thursday, Apr-8-2015; a day late.

The technician worked on it all day and had encountered more issues. I don't know any of the codes yet, but after finally getting the new Power Transfer Case installed, it didn't work. They were on the phone with "STAR" - which, I was told, is a corporate support number to the engineers or something.

They couldn't fix it. Today, they spent all day on the phone with more engineers and are checking all the wiring - they thought that maybe a wire is loose. The engineers said something must've burnt out and to look for charring. There is no charring or melting. Additionally, there is another part that they think they need, but it currently doesn't appear in any of the "order-able" parts lists. It is so new, there is no part number assigned to it yet and it doesn't appear to exist, yet.

The vehicle is still being worked on and investigated.

On Monday, they expect to contact me with further details and perhaps a plan to discuss other options.

Quark
Well, Today is May-11-2015, Day 41. The Power Transfer Unit was replaced. Some wiring was replaced. Many hours were spent with the technicians/engineers at FCA and the service techs at the dealership. They were unable to determine what is happening.

A buy back was initiated not long after my first update. FCA has asked for the vehicle for further study and analysis. I expect to have my replacement Renegade Trailhawk this week. While I'm happy that I'm getting a replacement vehicle, with some additional options, it hasn't been a walk in the park. The coordinating of the effort between all parties has been a little more difficult than I had hoped. The duration is a killer. I have a loaner car, but it is a tiny Dodge Dart and I can't even go up into the hills to do my hiking - roads require a 4x4 to get to the trails I hike.

Quark
 
#9 ·
Wow, that stinks. It seems like they are throwing parts at it without knowing what the real problem is. Hopefully, they will send in some expert who knows the system and get it resolved.

Please let us all know what they find.
 
#14 ·
Well, that's the best thing to have happened; a replacement car. If they did fix the original car, you would always wonder if additional problems would surface. And they can take the original car and hopefully find every fault. That may benefit us all.
 
#18 ·
I'm not losing any money through the buy back. I am getting full MSRP credit for the original and I have to pay the difference on additional options on the new one, plus taxes only on the new options. The way I look at it - the way it makes most sense - is that I got the car I wanted with the options I wanted (mostly) for about $900 below MSRP. Which essentially is the original deal I received. It all works out fine. The loan didn't change. I paid cash for the additional options; so no refinancing.
 
#19 ·
UPDATE #3 - On 5/15/2015 - I got the replacement vehicle! (finally)

The new Trailhawk is awesome! I put 550 miles on it over the last 2 days. Took it rock climbing and tested the Rock Climbing mode as well as the Hill Descent control -- this thing handles like a champ on and off the trail.

I have some great pics to post - but it appears I can't post them using the iPad. I'll post them tomorrow.

No error messages, no warning lights. The first vehicle exhibited issues in the first 150'ish (street) miles.

I am going to schedule appointment to ensure the Techs apply all applicable Tech Service Bulletins (TSB). Like the firmware update for the Power Transfer Unit (or something like that). I've reviewed the "Plug Issue" and found it to be a non issue. It appears that several "holes" exist to drain the fluids out of areas they get into. Just to be sure - the techs will review this a third time.

I'm getting amazing support from the dealership (NWJeep.com).

Quark
 
#21 ·
New Renegade Pics - Mountain Adventures

Here are some pics of the mountains in S/SW Washington.

Quark
 

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#26 ·
Hey Quark! Congrats on your replacement Rene!

I recently bought a TH Rene in Seattle and have been looking for some good roads to take her on (I've only lived in WA for about a year). Where is the road in your pictures?

I know this thread isn't the place for this, but I've been dying to try my TH on something a little more challenging.
 
#27 ·
Three Corner Rock and area

The place is Three Corner Rock and some hills around Washougal River -- quite a drive from Seattle. I'm new here too :)

I know that just east of Seattle are some great off road trails. Do a search for "jeep Trails" in Washington State with an internet search engine.

There are several trails, possibly undocumented, around Mt. Rainier too. I went on some on the south side by south entrance a couple years ago - a friend was driving a different vehicle.

Have Fun!!
Quark

--Off topic opinion - Question: I'm new to jeeps and new to this site and new to going off the beaten path... do you think I should post these pics and some select locations to this forum?--
 
#29 ·
--Off topic opinion - Question: I'm new to jeeps and new to this site and new to going off the beaten path... do you think I should post these pics and some select locations to this forum?--
You should definitely start a new thread for those pics in maybe the off road or regional sections so more people see them when looking for trails or just looking for some awesome pics!

Does anyone know any specific Tech Service Bulletins for the 2015 Renegade Trailhawk? I saw some posted information, but no way to verify the source. Is there an official FCA tech service bulletin website?
I logged in to the Jeep site from when I registered under the "owners" section. It takes me to moparownerconnect.com and gives a little "dashboard" of info. You can check for Recalls/Alerts. For my VIN it says No Outstanding Recalls or Customer Satisfaction Notifications Exist.
No idea how thorough or updated this is though.