Jeep wants you to pay for a flat tow harness to fix the wobble

[Betr2Trvl]

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

I think there has been a lack of communication between the dealers and those purchasing the vehicles with the intent to tow them. In the owners manual in the "starting and operating" section there is a sub section entitled "Recreational Towing".


The first line in this section reads "Before towing see your authorized dealer for the Mopar flat tow wiring kit." While the vehicle may be able to be flat towed it doesn't come from the factory ready to tow way unless the dealer ordered the kit.

This statement "Before towing see your authorized dealer for the Mopar flat tow wiring kit" is a new statement from Jeep in early 2016. Anyone buying since sometime early this year, would certainly (in theory at least) be purchasing with that limitation / tow requirement.

However, that statement / requirement DID NOT exist prior to early in 2016, so for anyone with a 2014, 2015, and most of those that have bought 2016s through early in 2016 there was NEVER anything from Jeep that said anything about any kit (that kit did not even exist until a few months ago) being required to flat tow an Active Drive II, 4 wheel drive Cherokee. So for most current Cherokee owners, this is a change from when we purchased these vehicles, hense my prior post.........

[Hikerdogs]

The 2014 and 2015 owners manuals have the same disclaimer in the same section of the owners manual. Jeep may have changed the online owners manuals, but I highly doubt it. The online manual for our Wrangler is identical to the one in our glove box

[Betr2Trvl]

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

The 2014 and 2015 owners manuals have the same disclaimer in the same section of the owners manual. Jeep may have changed the online owners manuals, but I highly doubt it. The online manual for our Wrangler is identical to the one in our glove box

Yes, jeep changed the online manual for 2104/2015/early 2016s. They sent owners a printed addendum in the last few months with the update.

There was no wiring harness until a few months ago. The manuals that came with 2014/2015/early 2016s have absolutely no reference to any harness being required (because it did not exist).

We bought "ready to tow", then Jeep changed the requirement a few months ago, changing the owners manual after the fact for those that own 2014/2015/early 2016s. So you can also argue, that they are changing the use conditions and stretch that to be conditions that we expected when we signed a purchase contract, after the fact, and therefore are breaching the purchase agreement.

This half baked fix gets them out of having to buy back Cherokees purchased by those who intended to tow them, and any liability related to damages from towing to the Jeep, the tow vehicle, or other parties. And, they want owners to pay for it, and are trying to scare you into spending the money to fix something no one really understands everything about.....

Look, we really like our Trailhawk, and have not had any wobbles in 8000 miles of towing.

There is something (or things) funky that trigger a wobble in some unique circumstances that has not been able to be isolated, that may or may not be a Jeep problem other than the electric steering allows it to happen, and was proably a bad call on a Cherokee (along with the electric parking brake) but they said it could be towed as delivered through early 2016 and are on the hook to provide something to alleviate the potential issue.

[prwa330]

Where can I get a copy of the TSB. I have a 2014 Cherokee with Active Drive II and have had the problem at least 5 times.

[rream]

Originally Posted by dennis45

Trade Her in on a Honda and Shoot the Jeep.

Name one Honda that is currently approved towable by Honda

[bbunner]

Our 2014 Jeep Trailhawk wiring harness was covered under warranty. We did not experience any towing issues with it but received a notice from FCA regarding the wiring harness and our local dealer had it covered under the existing warranty. Good luck.

We have not towed with the wiring harness yet.

[dpinvidic]

Originally Posted by bbunner

Our 2014 Jeep Trailhawk wiring harness was covered under warranty. We did not experience any towing issues with it but received a notice from FCA regarding the wiring harness and our local dealer had it covered under the existing warranty. Good luck.

We have not towed with the wiring harness yet.

Wow, i have a copy of the TSB. Part of the instructions is to check if the VIN is on their affected vehicle list. It says only install the harness if the vehicle is on the list.....my Trailhawk is NOT.

I have never received a clear explanation as to why I dont need it except they say a car with a 5I4 4x4 sales code needs it, and I have a 5I4S sales code. Dont know what the difference is.

Never had the wobble.

Dan

[bbunner]

Apparently our dealer checked the vin and ours needed the harness, I personally did not check so I hope they are correct.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by dpinvidic

Wow, i have a copy of the TSB. Part of the instructions is to check if the VIN is on their affected vehicle list. It says only install the harness if the vehicle is on the list.....my Trailhawk is NOT.

I have never received a clear explanation as to why I dont need it except they say a car with a 5I4 4x4 sales code needs it, and I have a 5I4S sales code. Dont know what the difference is.

Never had the wobble.

Dan

Dan, we have towed 3 times for 1500 miles. Our Limited was delivered in November 2013 and I've banged my head against the wall trying to find out if it really needs this fix. Where do you find those sales codes. They sure aren't in the VIN - at least not my VIN. Can't see any other number series on my sales invoice either. I going to see if I can find the early sales info my dealer gave me before release to see if there are any model and option codes that tie in to your numbers.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks

Don

ps. Due to have the wiring kit installed on June 8. They have not yet said who pays. I hope it is not me.

[dpinvidic]

Originally Posted by The Shadow

Dan, we have towed 3 times for 1500 miles. Our Limited was delivered in November 2013 and I've banged my head against the wall trying to find out if it really needs this fix. Where do you find those sales codes. They sure aren't in the VIN - at least not my VIN. Can't see any other number series on my sales invoice either. I going to see if I can find the early sales info my dealer gave me before release to see if there are any model and option codes that tie in to your numbers.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks

Don

ps. Due to have the wiring kit installed on June 8. They have not yet said who pays. I hope it is not me.

I got my info from the dealer service guy over the phone. I think these codes are on the window order sheet when the car is on the lot.

The service guy told me I had the 5I4S 4x4 sales code, he must have seen it on his computer....OR....he gave me total BS

My fingers are crossed that I really do not need the fix, it is a PIA to flip a switch and insert a fuse when a car us supposed to be flat towable.

Dan.

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by dpinvidic

I got my info from the dealer service guy over the phone. I think these codes are on the window order sheet when the car is on the lot.

The service guy told me I had the 5I4S 4x4 sales code, he must have seen it on his computer....OR....he gave me total BS

My fingers are crossed that I really do not need the fix, it is a PIA to flip a switch and insert a fuse when a car us supposed to be flat towable.

Dan.

And having to put in a power line from the MH as well. That too will be a big PITA. If this chaos continues and if I don't like the outcome and have to shell out more than $500 for installation of the wiring kit, I think we are currently driving our last ever FCA products (T&C and the Cherokee). I sure would not go near the ads Pacifica until all of the glitches are hammered out.

Don

[The Shadow]

BTW, I meant to ask is that

five one four S

or five eye four S

Don

[Rich-n-Linda]

I keep reading about the Jeep CHEROKEE with regard to this problem.

Is the 2014 Jeep GRAND Cherokee also susceptible to this death wobble problem?

[The Shadow]

Originally Posted by Rich-n-Linda

I keep reading about the Jeep CHEROKEE with regard to this problem.

Is the 2014 Jeep GRAND Cherokee also susceptible to this death wobble problem?

NO. I've seen reports that some FCA products have had a wobble but not related to flat towing.