Jeep (JK) auto transmission recall

[TJ Willy]

In case you have not seen it:

Vehicle Make / Model: JEEP / WRANGLER
Model Year(s): 2007-2008
Potential Number of Units Affected: 161,450

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V436000

Summary:

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2008 JEEP WRANGLER MANUFACTURE BETWEEN JUNE 2006 THROUGH JULY 2008 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE WARNING SYSTEM.

Consequence:

FLUID COULD BOIL OVER AND MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST COMPONENT AND CAUSE A FIRE.

:Wow1:

Now the "fix" for this is to install a warning light in the cluster to inform the operator when the oil temp gets too high.

This is not much of a fix IMHO. I wish they would install a cooler. Or better yet offer to install a manual... laughter ensues...

My Jeep is one of the thousands affected... I am planning a long expedition and will be pulling a trailer and consequently, worry even more about this problem.

So... has anyone experienced this?

Has anyone installed an aftermarket cooler anticipating such a problem? If so, can you share your install details? I am looking at this: JEGS LINK 1 with associated fittings and this: JEGS LINK 2 so I don't have to wait for a warning light.


(I looked for a suitable Jeep during the "drought" a few months ago with a manual as I prefer manuals over automatic but settled on the auto. sigh...)

 

[hugh]

another thing to watch out for on the 4 door models is front axle tubes breaking. A guy in our club has 35" tires on his and lightly off roads it and while playing in the snow must have hit a hidden rock just the wrong way and it shattered the frt axle tube

 

[JK-Mg1212]

My JK goes into the dealer this week due to a shutter on the 1 -2 shift. I wonder how they are going to add this light in an existing cluster without making look hacked. Another weird one for my jeep is my hood prop came off! The rivet just broke off. I too picked it up when they were struggling and got a great deal. Overall I really like the JK but there are some things . . .

 

[JeepinJon]

It is just a flash so on the odometer where it will say gate, change oil, etc... it will now also say hot oil.

 

[JK-Mg1212]

It is just a flash so on the odometer where it will say gate, change oil, etc... it will now also say hot oil.

That's good. I had an image of an added light to the cluster with less than optimal results!
Mike

 

[TJ Willy]

another thing to watch out for on the 4 door models is front axle tubes breaking. A guy in our club has 35" tires on his and lightly off roads it and while playing in the snow must have hit a hidden rock just the wrong way and it shattered the frt axle tube

I don't know specifically the JK tubes versus the TJ tubes but I heard they were stronger. I wheeled my TJ jeep running 36's on a high pinion donor front axle up front and a donor 44 in the back both ARB locked. I think driving style does play a role in breakage but it sounds like your friend maybe hit something he could not see. Bad luck indeed. This build is the complete opposite as my TJ. But it is good to hear of any past experiences. Thanks.

My JK goes into the dealer this week due to a shutter on the 1 -2 shift. I wonder how they are going to add this light in an existing cluster without making look hacked. Another weird one for my jeep is my hood prop came off! The rivet just broke off. I too picked it up when they were struggling and got a great deal. Overall I really like the JK but there are some things . . .

What Jon said... just a simple in and out job for the dealer. Just make sure they run your VIN and take care of any outstanding TSBs/Recalls. You can go to Jeep.com, register your Jeep and enter your last 8 of the VIN and the site will report what work is needed. Check it out and make sure the dealer takes care of you.

My Jeep is also experiencing oil seepage from somewhere. They have kept it another day to track it down.

 

[njjeepthing]

I'm glad to see they finally acknowledged this problem, although I think it's a lousy fix. I had 2 auto JK's now I have a 6 spd, I guess I am safe from my Jeep burning to the ground.:Wow1:

 

[ssmathis]

I received this recall yesterday. I wonder what they'll say about the additional tranny cooler I installed....

Scott

 

[JeepinJon]

I don't think the light is going to fix this for Jeep anymore. Last fall when they filed the papers with the NHTSA showing they were going to do the flash the case was closed at the time. However since it has taken Jeep so long to issue the recall, and also many more complaints the investigation has been reopened. With the whole Toyota thing it wouldn't suprise me if they make Jeep find a way to actually "fix" the fire hazard either by installing a tranny cooler, or rerouting the vent tube.

 

[Piet]

I don't know specifically the JK tubes versus the TJ tubes but I heard they were stronger. I wheeled my TJ jeep running 36's on a high pinion donor front axle up front and a donor 44 in the back both ARB locked. I think driving style does play a role in breakage but it sounds like your friend maybe hit something he could not see. Bad luck indeed. This build is the complete opposite as my TJ. But it is good to hear of any past experiences.

Most people I know who plan to wheel their JK, sleeve and gusset their front axle. You will notice on JKs that have larger tires and/or are offroaded, the axle tends to sag (And the tire camber) You can read about sleeves here:

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4498

Sorry for the Highjack:

 

[TJ Willy]

Most people I know who plan to wheel their JK, sleeve and gusset their front axle. You will notice on JKs that have larger tires and/or are offroaded, the axle tends to sag (And the tire camber) You can read about sleeves here:

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4498

Sorry for the Highjack:

Naw... NP bud... good hijack. I wonder how many guys have had issues under light wheeling and large(er) tires. I am talking about normal mountain pass type stuff... no bouldering.

Several pages to read on that thread... gonna settle in to it in the AM.

Thanks for the link.

 

[TJ Willy]

I don't think the light is going to fix this for Jeep anymore. Last fall when they filed the papers with the NHTSA showing they were going to do the flash the case was closed at the time. However since it has taken Jeep so long to issue the recall, and also many more complaints the investigation has been reopened. With the whole Toyota thing it wouldn't suprise me if they make Jeep find a way to actually "fix" the fire hazard either by installing a tranny cooler, or rerouting the vent tube.

I agree on so many different levels. This is why I am just going to install a cooler. Breakdowns on long trips are not an option... neither is my Jeep burning to the ground OR pulling over every 30 mins to let the trans cool down.

I really wonder just how many rigs (while towing say 1700lbs) have had heat issues?

I got the program done today and spoke to the writer at length about my "opinion" of the fault blame light. I got the typical type of dealer response. "We have not seen..." blah blah blah...

This particular cooler is much cheaper than the one I posted above. I wonder if it would suffice as an additional cooling method? Any advice? Summit Racing B&M 70268 Cooler.

 

[JK-Mg1212]

I agree on so many different levels. This is why I am just going to install a cooler. Breakdowns on long trips are not an option... neither is my Jeep burning to the ground OR pulling over every 30 mins to let the trans cool down.

I really wonder just how many rigs (while towing say 1700lbs) have had heat issues?

I got the program done today and spoke to the writer at length about my "opinion" of the fault blame light. I got the typical type of dealer response. "We have not seen..." blah blah blah...

This particular cooler is much cheaper than the one I posted above. I wonder if it would suffice as an additional cooling method? Any advice? Summit Racing B&M 70268 Cooler.

I'm leaving for the dealer is a couple minutes. I never received anything on this but since I am taking it in for a shift issue I will have them do the "fix". Hopefully they will do the trans cooler in the furture - at least for the customers with the "tow package". I was surprised when it didn't come with a cooler to begin with - I thought that was the point with a "tow package".