Tag: Jeep

By Nicole Halavi

Jeep issued a recall of more than 47,200 model year 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions after they were faced with a series of Jeep clutch pressure plate fires.

Notably, this is the second recall issued in less than a year for Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers because the clutch pressure plates have been so susceptible to overheating, fracturing, and catching fire.

Back in October 2020, Jeep employees learned that the clutch pressure plate can quickly fracture once it overheats. This knowledge came after a 2021 Jeep Gladiator caught fire at an assembly plant. Subsequently, engineers reviewed the field data and warranty claims related to clutch assemblies on Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler vehicles. Investigators also received a failed clutch assembly from a 2020 Jeep Wrangler that was repurchased from a customer. Additionally, investigators looked into a crash report concerning transmission-related fires in Idaho and Michigan.

Once the clutch pressure plate breaks, cracks or holes may form in the transmission case, which will then allow heated debris to be expelled from the transmission case. This heated debris can come into contact with combustible materials in the vehicle. While no injuries have been reported, fires can occur leaving road debris behind, which can create a potentially hazardous condition for drivers on the road.

Ultimately, the automaker has announced that owners of 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiators should keep an eye out for recall notices in March 2021 with further information about how dealers will add software to remedy this problem. The automaker claims this is merely a design defect and as such, no clutch parts will be replaced.

What Can I Do if I’m Driving a Jeep Exhibiting Issues with the Clutch Pressure Plate?

If you are driving a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator that is exhibiting any of the issues discussed above concerning the clutch pressure plates, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent any further complications. The attorneys at CCA are very knowledgeable about the issues associated with clutch pressure plates in Jeeps, and will work with you to fight back against the automaker.

Please do not hesitate to call CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. We’ll get you the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

Jeep is a iconic American automobile brand and a subsidiary of the Italian/American corporation, Fiat Chrysler. Jeep’s line consists solely of high-end sports utility vehicles, including both crossovers as well as off-road SUVs. The Jeep Wrangler is a series of mid-size, four-wheel-drive SUVs, that has been extremely popular for decades.  However, in 2020, a class-action lawsuit revealed certain safety issues relating to vehicle rollovers with the Wrangler, which led to an overall downgrade of the vehicle’s safety rating.  Attorneys are now investigating the concerns raised by Wrangler users.

If your Jeep Wrangler has exhibited warranty issues or rollovers that have not been corrected by the manufacturer, CCA is here to help. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What is the Jeep Wrangler Rollover Risk?

Earlier this year, users of Jeep Wrangler 2019 and 2020 models had expressed their concerns regarding the vehicle’s safety in a class-action suit. An investigation of these models was instigated by a failed front-end crash test conducted in May 2020. The test revealed a serious risk of injury and fatality in the event of a rollover. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) safety test, the vehicle had tipped over during a safety test, which is particularly dangerous because this model has removable roof and doors. In an even more dangerous situation, passengers may be ejected from the vehicle, which can have fatal results.

Making matters worse, certain 2019-2020 Wrangler models also lack side-curtain airbags that minimize the impact of a rollover. According to the IIHS, “The partial rollover presents an additional injury risk beyond what the standard criteria are intended to measure in small overlap frontal crash tests, A vehicle tipping onto its side is not an acceptable outcome for a frontal crash and, as a result, the Wrangler’s overall rating was downgraded to marginal.”

What Can I do if I Own a Problematic Jeep Wrangler Model?

If you have suffered through numerous or unresolved issues with your vehicle, we are here to help. CAA is equipped with experienced lawyers that are ready to help you find a quick and painless solution to your vehicle issues. We are experts in helping consumers solve their lemon law issues and – best of all – our fees are solely paid by the automakers. 

If your Jeep Wrangler has disappointed you with repeated defects, we invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.