2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Thai]

Insideline Full Test: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 V6 Full Test and Video

Uh-oh, looks like quality is still a problem for the new GC! This is sad...just when i was really buying into those cool commercials!

 

[dk27]

Insideline Full Test: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 V6 Full Test and Video

Uh-oh, looks like quality is still a problem for the new GC! This is sad...just when i was really buying into those cool commercials!

From Article:
------------------------
There's one potential fly in the apparent-quality ointment, though. You see the photographs above of the vehicle on the dusty roads? Yeah well, our test vehicle and at least one tow-truck driver became all too familiar with those remote roads after the Jeep's power-steering pump took a dump. Fine, we figured, we'll get it back to civilization without power steering. We are hearty like that.

This worked until the Jeep threw its serpentine belt. Game over. This, we discovered, was due to a power-steering pump that had been loose for "some time." We were told this was an early-build vehicle. Maybe so, but subsequent Grand Cherokees better get built right or Jeep is going to have a problem.
------------------------

Why the hell wouldn't they have bothered to fix it before sending it out to be a test vehicle? Your company is spending a ton of money to market this thing and people now more than ever are reading reviews and tests so why not fix the damn thing right? Just seems silly and lazy.

 

[Thai]

Why the hell wouldn't they have bothered to fix it before sending it out to be a test vehicle? Your company is spending a ton of money to market this thing and people now more than ever are reading reviews and tests so why not fix the damn thing right? Just seems silly and lazy.

Different mother company, same good old Chrysler.... :shrug:

 

[Jed]

Why the hell wouldn't they have bothered to fix it before sending it out to be a test vehicle? Your company is spending a ton of money to market this thing and people now more than ever are reading reviews and tests so why not fix the damn thing right? Just seems silly and lazy.

I'm sure it was something that was just overlooked. It happens.

But anyone who draws a parallel between the serpentine belt on this one vehicle and the overall quality control is either a Jeep hater or someone with an agenda... Something as simple as a loose belt on an early production vehicle is a non-issue. Now if a bunch of owners had it happen to them soon after taking delivery of their new vehicle, I could see that as being a real quality control issue, even if it is something that can easily be corrected on the assembly line.

 

[Thai]

I'm sure it was something that was just overlooked. It happens.

But anyone who draws a parallel between the serpentine belt on this one vehicle and the overall quality control is either a Jeep hater or someone with an agenda... Something as simple as a loose belt on an early production vehicle is a non-issue. Now if a bunch of owners had it happen to them soon after taking delivery of their new vehicle, I could see that as being a real quality control issue, even if it is something that can easily be corrected on the assembly line.

And someone who overlooks an early problem on a tester can be either a fanboy or a blind one.:biggrin2: So, you would be OK when you drive your Jeep GC in the deep woods only to find that your belt has been loose "for some time"...and that you are now stuck in the middle of the woods? You are a lot more forgiving than me.

 

[Jed]

Forgot to say-- The early 2003 V6 4Runners had fuel rail problems. Toyota was quick to fix the issue and it became a non-issue from that point forward.

So again, something as simple as a loose belt on a pre-production vehicle shouldn't raise any eyebrows.

 

[dk27]

I'm sure it was something that was just overlooked. It happens.

But anyone who draws a parallel between the serpentine belt on this one vehicle and the overall quality control is either a Jeep hater or someone with an agenda... Something as simple as a loose belt on an early production vehicle is a non-issue. Now if a bunch of owners had it happen to them soon after taking delivery of their new vehicle, I could see that as being a real quality control issue, even if it is something that can easily be corrected on the assembly line.

Why is it always an agenda or hating?

I'm just saying that according to the article the stuff was messed up before they got it. So here's Chrysler (it could be Toyota, Honda, Aston Martin who cares) just releasing a new vehicle and hyping it up as great quality etc but they couldn't look over their own test vehicle before sending it out?

If I was in charge of that the vehicle would be absolutely perfect before anyone had a chance to review it. If it wasn't perfect no one would have touched it.

 

[Thai]

Forgot to say-- The early 2003 V6 4Runners had fuel rail problems. Toyota was quick to fix the issue and it became a non-issue from that point forward.

So again, something as simple as a loose belt on a pre-production vehicle shouldn't raise any eyebrows.

But then again, the Jeep GC does not have a strong history of quality (like the 4runner) that an owner can just forgive and forget. What is not to say that this "oops" is just the beginning? You seem certain that this is a nonfactor...how do you know this?

This problem led to someone being stranded...anything that causes someone to be stranded is a BAD problem in my book, esp. in a vehicle that supposedly can take you somewhere far far from civilization.

 

[Jed]

Why is it always an agenda or hating?

I'm just saying that according to the article the stuff was messed up before they got it. So here's Chrysler (it could be Toyota, Honda, Aston Martin who cares) just releasing a new vehicle and hyping it up as great quality etc but they couldn't look over their own test vehicle before sending it out?

If I was in charge of that the vehicle would be absolutely perfect before anyone had a chance to review it. If it wasn't perfect no one would have touched it.

Why? Because generally people in this forum like to bash on Chrysler's (Jeep's) quality or lack thereof.

But like I said, something that simply could be easily overlooked. Even if you tried your best to go over the entire vehicle. To make a big deal out of something so trivial is just silly. I'm sure they have plenty of test vehicles and vehicles that for the media that are just fine. It's not like they just have one out there.

 

[Thai]

Why? Because generally people in this forum like to bash on Chrysler's (Jeep's) quality or lack thereof.

But like I said, something that simply could be easily overlooked. Even if you tried your best to go over the entire vehicle. To make a big deal out of something so trivial is just silly. I'm sure they have plenty of test vehicles and vehicles that for the media that are just fine. It's not like they just have one out there.

Didn't this problem cause the editors to be stranded??

 

[dk27]

Why? Because generally people in this forum like to bash on Chrysler's (Jeep's) quality or lack thereof.

But like I said, something that simply could be easily overlooked. Even if you tried your best to go over the entire vehicle. To make a big deal out of something so trivial is just silly. I'm sure they have plenty of test vehicles and vehicles that for the media that are just fine. It's not like they just have one out there.

I think a lot of people bash on Chrysler. They have had subpar quality and pretty much every resource says that but it wasn't the point.

I guess the thing that stands out to me reading the article was that it's been like that for awhile. Yeah, I guess it could be overlooked but I got the impression it was known about but without more context I certainly cannot confirm that. At this point I think Chrysler needs to show they are better than that to win back a lot of customers. This vehicle is a huge release for them and I would just go way overboard making sure no one is reading anything bad about it. In the end it will hopefully be no big deal but I think impression counts on this one.

 

[Jed]

I think a lot of people bash on Chrysler. They have had subpar quality and pretty much every resource says that but it wasn't the point.

I guess the thing that stands out to me reading the article was that it's been like that for awhile. Yeah, I guess it could be overlooked but I got the impression it was known about but without more context I certainly cannot confirm that. At this point I think Chrysler needs to show they are better than that to win back a lot of customers. This vehicle is a huge release for them and I would just go way overboard making sure no one is reading anything bad about it. In the end it will hopefully be no big deal but I think impression counts on this one.

I agree that the initial impression is important, especially for Jeep. At the same time, if I took delivery of a brand new Jeep and the serpentine belt fell off because it was never tightened properly, I'd be a little disappointed, but I'd just put the belt back on and tighten it and call it a day. I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. But again, Jeep should work harder to make sure that these kind of little slips don't happen if they want to change the public perception.

 

[Thai]

I agree that the initial impression is important, especially for Jeep. At the same time, if I took delivery of a brand new Jeep and the serpentine belt fell off because it was never tightened properly, I'd be a little disappointed, but I'd just put the belt back on and tighten it and call it a day. I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. But again, Jeep should work harder to make sure that these kind of little slips don't happen if they want to change the public perception.

If it was that easy, then why didn't the editors do that? And if the editors were incompetent, then why didn't the tow truck guy do it?

 

[brian2sun]

Doesn't Fiat own 20% of Chrysler with plans on owning/controlling at least 51% of the company within the next couple of years? Doesn't that kinda make these "All-American" style commercials BS since the $$ is (or will ultimately be) going to a foreign-based company anyways.

 

[dk27]

Doesn't Fiat own 20% of Chrysler with plans on owning/controlling at least 51% of the company within the next couple of years? Doesn't that kinda make these "All-American" style commercials BS since the $$ is (or will ultimately be) going to a foreign-based company anyways.

Marketing is marketing.

 

[Jed]

Doesn't Fiat own 20% of Chrysler with plans on owning/controlling at least 51% of the company within the next couple of years? Doesn't that kinda make these "All-American" style commercials BS since the $$ is (or will ultimately be) going to a foreign-based company anyways.

It seems to me that most of the auto manufacturers are a mixed bag these days anyway. People may have their own way of defining a domestic car vs. a foreign car, but to me there is no longer a clearly defined line.

 

[brian2sun]

It seems to me that most of the auto manufacturers are a mixed bag these days anyway. People may have their own way of defining a domestic car vs. a foreign car, but to me there is no longer a clearly defined line.

I think you're right. But I guess that doesn't stop them from acting as if they're still as American as apple pie and high school cheerleaders on their ads.

 

[dk27]

I remember visiting a website before (I thought it was a govt site) that showed the percentage that a car was considered American. A Toyota Camry is one of the most American cars you can buy.

Anyone ever see this site? I can't find it!

 

[Uneek]

It's tough to deal with quality when you're trying to profitable and make cars affordable. Corners will be cut. The quality gap is narrower than ever before and Toyota is no longer leaps and bounds above their competition.

Initial quality is important and for Jeep trying to make a come back, it's paramount to get it right. It's not bashing but fact. Toyota has been slipping and they just annouced more recalls on some older what would be considered "flagship" models. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it, Toyota is selling vehicles on a preceived quality.

I'd cut Jeep some slack, a vehicle isn't as simple as making breakfast, there are thousands of parts to make a whole vehicle. One part fails, it could be an epic failure such as the JGC's making you limp back home. Toyota hasn't had perfect launches either where it mattered most. Look at the second gen Tundra, bad camshafts, driveshafts and so on. Huge product launch, and as Palin would say "you betcha" Toyota tried to get it right, but yet somethings were missed. It's a fact of life and Toyota is as of late is no longer living up to their reputation. Because of the hits they've taken on the SUA, and their promise to act swiftly, we'll see more recalls from Toyota rather than what's been swept under the rug.

I like Toyota as much as any one here, I own three of them currently. But I can NOT ignore the fact on the problems they are facing and I will proceed with caution if I was in the market for a Toyota today.

They've slipped to big time on the latest JD Powers quality ratings. Ford is way up there now. If you're planning on calling on JD Powers ratings meaningless, then I hope when Toyota was at the top, it was also meaningless to you.

 

[Quentin]

It's tough to deal with quality when you're trying to profitable and make cars affordable. Corners will be cut. The quality gap is narrower than ever before and Toyota is no longer leaps and bounds above their competition.

Initial quality is important and for Jeep trying to make a come back, it's paramount to get it right. It's not bashing but fact. Toyota has been slipping and they just annouced more recalls on some older what would be considered "flagship" models. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it, Toyota is selling vehicles on a preceived quality.

I'd cut Jeep some slack, a vehicle isn't as simple as making breakfast, there are thousands of parts to make a whole vehicle. One part fails, it could be an epic failure such as the JGC's making you limp back home. Toyota hasn't had perfect launches either where it mattered most. Look at the second gen Tundra, bad camshafts, driveshafts and so on. Huge product launch, and as Palin would say "you betcha" Toyota tried to get it right, but yet somethings were missed. It's a fact of life and Toyota is as of late is no longer living up to their reputation. Because of the hits they've taken on the SUA, and their promise to act swiftly, we'll see more recalls from Toyota rather than what's been swept under the rug.

I like Toyota as much as any one here, I own three of them currently. But I can NOT ignore the fact on the problems they are facing and I will proceed with caution if I was in the market for a Toyota today.

They've slipped to big time on the latest JD Powers quality ratings. Ford is way up there now. If you're planning on calling on JD Powers ratings meaningless, then I hope when Toyota was at the top, it was also meaningless to you.

It depends which JD Power rating you are talking about. The 3 year dependability study is quite good, IMO. The Initial Quality is bullshit as far as reliability. To me, Initial Quality is how happy the customer is with their new car. That is more for the design groups to understand what needs to improve in their vehicles. The Dependability study is much more accurate in determining which vehicle has been more reliable. Even that, though, isn't quite enough to tell long term durability.

Toyota does quite well on the Dependability study, from what I've seen*. Funny that you mention the 2nd gen Tundra... it was the most dependable of any 07 model full size pickup truck even with the issues it faced at launch!! I chalk it up to Toyota stepping up and saying they want to compete in that market and a lot of your D3 buyers don't want them there, so it becomes an internet sensation to repeat any issues with the Tundra and ignore the issues with their hometown heros.

Where Toyota really needs to improve is their interior material quality. I think the Cherokee will force them to upgrade the IP lower materials. That is honestly the only place where the plastic feels low quality, IMO.

* I have access to the full JD Power reports as an automotive quality engineer.