Pentastar Engine Problem
- Thread starter GHR
- Start date
Ryanmb21
Expedition Leader
Wouldn't your confidence in your new jeep waiver if it needed new heads in year 1? Were they installed properly? I would be bummed.
Totally agree with para two.
The Swiss
Expedition Leader
Love my Pentastar!!! For me, together with the 5 speed auto the nicest engine/tranny combo I ever had (and trust me, I had a fair share of different vehicles in my life). The problems some engines show does not diminish my love for my Jeep or that engine a bit. As long as Chrysler takes care of people when the problem occures, we are golden.
If you dig a little deeper, almost every vehicle has some issues or problems. It's just the nature of the beast.
If you dig a little deeper, almost every vehicle has some issues or problems. It's just the nature of the beast.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
So true... for instance look at the Chevy Cavalier....
Kidding. Honestly there are issues with most vehicles, some BIG some insignificant. I know people who have had engine issues, brake issues, transmission issues, leaking window issues RUST issues with Ford, Chev, Dodge/Chrysler, Volvo, even the mighty Toyota was all over the news for 2 years because they were killing people with random acceleration sticking and brakes failing (nice combo). At that time people who were long time Toyota owners swore they would never own another.
This too shall pass (Yoda voice used here).
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
JJBiggs
Supporting Sponsor | SEES
Presently own a 2012 JKU Rubi with the Pentastar. Great platform, great motor. Eh...so they have some teething problems. Mine is exhibiting the "ticking" and reduced mileage. But, no codes. Yet. I took it in once and got the run around that the sound it "normal." So, I blew it off. I have a 10 yr, 100K powertrain. When it goes...I get it fixed. In the meantime..the ticking drives me crazy, but it's livable.
Chad
Chad
the 3.6 is a great engine, good power and good mileage. just a few problems with the first production run. chrysler will be putting this engine in everything soon like the 2013 ram truck. some people are reporting 25mpg highway in the jeep grand cherokee. not bad for a pretty big vehicle. ive heard 30mpg in some of the cars.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
http://www.toyota.com/recall/pedal.html
http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObj...me.WhatsNew.AcceleratorPedal&language=english
There were documented cases of people "faking" it... but there was an accelerator issue on a few Toyota vehicles. Hence the millions of cars recalled.
Not singling them out, just noted that the historical "king of reliability" also has stumbled.
JJBiggs
Supporting Sponsor | SEES
UPDATE - Well folks...I just got back from the dealer. Much to my amazement, the dealer I bought from has yet to fix a Pentastar (still hard to believe). That said - the dealer tried to be as helpful as they could. The "Restricted Status" is present on my Jeep for BOTH HEADS. Also note - the Restricted Status on the system now has a note next to it to "Contact S.T.A.R. for further instruction."
Once they tested it - they confirmed something is wrong (ticking, lower power, etc.) They then contacted S.T.A.R. and...(wait for it)....S.T.A.R. told them to (verbatim off my service order) "...Contacted S.T.A.R. - recommend driving to see if problem has any change." My service advisor, apologized profusely and said they want to help but S.T.A.R. told them not to. W-T-F?!
I immediately called Chrysler Customer Affairs and I now have a case number. This is absolutely absurd. (Not sure I will be keeping the Jeep, if this keeps up.)
JJ
Once they tested it - they confirmed something is wrong (ticking, lower power, etc.) They then contacted S.T.A.R. and...(wait for it)....S.T.A.R. told them to (verbatim off my service order) "...Contacted S.T.A.R. - recommend driving to see if problem has any change." My service advisor, apologized profusely and said they want to help but S.T.A.R. told them not to. W-T-F?!
I immediately called Chrysler Customer Affairs and I now have a case number. This is absolutely absurd. (Not sure I will be keeping the Jeep, if this keeps up.)
JJ
Welcome to Chry/Jeep customer service. Took me 3 months for them to change out my stereo head because they installed a 2011 rhr in my 2012 ('11 has half the hard drive space). Chry Business had to call the dealer and make them change it out. I'm in the bullseye for the cyl head issue also but don't have any ticking yet, only crap mpg. Have alot of electical issues inside the cab too...
bob91yj
Resident **************
Every generation of Jeep owner thinks they have the cream of the crop. I've got a YJ and an LJ, I'm starting to appreciate the almost stupid proof 60 year old engine design of the 4.0L's. They're heavy, leak, struggle to pass emissions as they age, often sound like a loose collection of random parts, but they rarely leave anyone stranded anywhere with a catastrophic failure.
<donning flame suit:campfire:>
I'd love to have the room of a 4 door, don't know that they've made one yet that I'd be happy with.
<donning flame suit:campfire:>
I'd love to have the room of a 4 door, don't know that they've made one yet that I'd be happy with.
Last edited:
Jim M
New member
I have a 2012 JKU, built on 8/1/11, delivered on 8/10/11. At almost precisely 1 year, and 15,081 miles, I got a CEL. The key dance yielded a P0302 code, which is a misfire on cylinder 2. I knew immediately what it was from, and also knew I would be put through the Chrysler song and dance to get a new head. Reflash the PCM, drive until another CEL comes on, then measure for leakdown, and finally place the order and wait 4-6 weeks.
Well, I took it to my dealer, Len Stoler Jeep in Westminster MD, and they went to work right away. The knew of the issue and had replaced about 10 heads already. They kept the Jeep overnight and by the next day already had the head on order! They somehow bypassed the normal reset and drive sequence, and went right to the leakdown test. Low and behold, it was leaking 70% on cylinder 2. So by now I've had the Jeep in the shop for one night, and have the head on order.
I get a call two weeks later that the head was in. Two weeks, not 4, not 6, not months, but two weeks. I brought the Jeep back and their lead engine tech did the work throughout one day. They kept it overnight to make sure it was ready to go. I picked it up, and carefully inspected for missing bolts, leaky head gaskets, messy fingerprints, or spilled oil. All was good. It helps that I met the tech ahead of the work and spoke with him face to face to let him know, politely, that I was a stickler for good work and pointed out how clean my Jeep was despite it's mileage and usage.
So, in summary, my JK was in the shop for two nights, and the repairs were done for free, in a reasonable amount of time, and with quality work.
Now that it's fixed, I've felt more power, and seen a jump of almost 2 MPG. I track my fuel usage with Fuelly.com, so I know for sure it has jumped, not just a guess.
I feel bad for those who have to suffer the fools at bad dealerships. Though it sucks to have to take a new Jeep in for significant engine work, it sucks even more to have to do battle with your dealer as well as Chrysler.
Well, I took it to my dealer, Len Stoler Jeep in Westminster MD, and they went to work right away. The knew of the issue and had replaced about 10 heads already. They kept the Jeep overnight and by the next day already had the head on order! They somehow bypassed the normal reset and drive sequence, and went right to the leakdown test. Low and behold, it was leaking 70% on cylinder 2. So by now I've had the Jeep in the shop for one night, and have the head on order.
I get a call two weeks later that the head was in. Two weeks, not 4, not 6, not months, but two weeks. I brought the Jeep back and their lead engine tech did the work throughout one day. They kept it overnight to make sure it was ready to go. I picked it up, and carefully inspected for missing bolts, leaky head gaskets, messy fingerprints, or spilled oil. All was good. It helps that I met the tech ahead of the work and spoke with him face to face to let him know, politely, that I was a stickler for good work and pointed out how clean my Jeep was despite it's mileage and usage.
So, in summary, my JK was in the shop for two nights, and the repairs were done for free, in a reasonable amount of time, and with quality work.
Now that it's fixed, I've felt more power, and seen a jump of almost 2 MPG. I track my fuel usage with Fuelly.com, so I know for sure it has jumped, not just a guess.
I feel bad for those who have to suffer the fools at bad dealerships. Though it sucks to have to take a new Jeep in for significant engine work, it sucks even more to have to do battle with your dealer as well as Chrysler.