Are Jeeps loaded with cheap parts?

Midwest95 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:43 am

So I just got a 2007 Liberty sport with 30,000 miles. I've had this car for maybe a few weeks. I took one long trip from iowa to colorado and it broke down. Other than the trip I haven't driven it too much. On the trip I had to get the u joint replaced and they said there was other stuff but it could wait till I got back. After taking it to the dealer back home they said I need a new throttle body, a new air inlet tube, new software for the computer and the spark plugs are shot (spark plugs I understand). Is this common??? this will be my fourth vehicle and I've never had this, I bought a Mazda B series pickup new from the dealer in 2001 and put 150,000 miles on it with only one problem that required a mechanic and was only $200. I've had this jeep for a month and its been nothing but stuff breaking

. I'm waiting for the window regulators to go bad. Luckily this has all been under warranty so I'm kind of happy to have it all done free, but I'm getting scared that after 30,000 miles it needs all these things replaced. Just curious if this is the norm... I love this site though!!

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:02 pm

Midwest95 wrote:

On the trip I had to get the u joint replaced and they said there was other stuff but it could wait till I got back. After taking it to the dealer back home they said I need a new throttle body, a new air inlet tube, new software for the computer and the spark plugs are shot (spark plugs I understand).

I've never heard of that stuff going bad, ever. :shock:

Did you buy it used? Maybe the previous owner took bad care of it or the shop is just BSing you?
Or just bad luck.

Midwest95 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:17 pm

Well I'm glad to hear that you've never had any problems, makes me feel better. Yes it was used, my parents actually picked it out and we traded vehicles so I wasn't there when it was purchased. It seems as though it was taken care of fairly well. My only concern is that the things that need replaced don't really have anything to do with regular maintenance as far as I know, except the plugs. That and it drives weird around 45-55 mph which from this site i see is common, it seems like transmission always shifts to early, its always in low rpms. Maybe I'm worrying too much.

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:22 pm

Haha, I've never had problems??
Guess you really are new to the forum....lol!
I blew my engine, but that was due to me being partially broke, and mostly stupid.

But its all fixed now. lol

And it drives weird at 45-55?? Elaborate please.
What rpm's does it normally shift at?

Midwest95 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:34 pm

I've been driving a stick shift for the past ten years so I might just not be used to automatics. It usually runs around the 1500 rpm range, and shifts in the low 2000s, maybe mid 2000s. which makes for a fairly smooth ride it just feels like its too early. Around 45-55 it kind of shutters, it feels kind of the same as if you were to drive a stick and driving in too high of a gear. it only lasts until your above about 55. I heard a few others talking about it on this site, I just can't remember who.

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:40 pm

Yeah, those rpm's are about normal.
Changing the plugs will probably get rid of the shutter though.

LibertyGuy · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:47 pm

The spark plugs are required to be changed every 30K miles according to the owners manual. I never heard of a throttle body needing to be changed. A new air inlet tube & new software for the computer sound like B.S. You should take the jeep to another mechanic for a 2nd opinion. I already went through a transmission & transfer case on my Libby just after 45K miles. No other problems since then.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:49 pm

Trans does shift different somewhat , but if you've had a manual tranny then maybe not used to the way these shift
use it with the OD off until you get out of town , thats what I do
as far as the rest of the things??? Need new throttle body? New inlet tube? New software for the computer? Plugs yes since they should be changed at or before 30,000 miles
I think I would find another mechanic and/ or have someone else check it out
U joint maybe I replaced mine at around 50,000

But the above items are not normal

and Oh by the way its not Jeeps that are using Cheap parts, they all cheap out anymore, Have you ever heard of TOYOTA??? :roll:

In 135,000 mines had u joints, one CV , one tie rod end, one idler pulley replaced other than that regular maintenance type things

Midwest95 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:04 pm

This is all being covered under warranty so if they want to replace things fine by me

no need to go any where else if its free. I actually just googled a code on my receipt tsb 18-013-09 and 21-020-07 (A/T Controls - Converter Shudder/Harsh 1-2/2-3 Shifts) maybe this computer upgrade will correct the shifting, its also part of this recall/service page.
And yes I have been wanting to put in new spark plugs, I think I'll go with the ngk iridium IX's everyone is so found of on here!!

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:09 pm

Free stuff is always good.

I've always wanted to try the e3 diamond fire plugs.
Want to see if their statements are true.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:16 pm

I have an 07 too. No problems here.

U-joint - yeah that is possible. I have 43,000 miles on mine and no problems as of yet, even lifted for 25k of those.

Throttle Body? Nope. Don't see how that would go bad. May need a little cleaning. Try Seafoaming it. Search on here about how to Seafoam it. But make sure you do it before changing plugs.

Spark Plugs? Yeah. Change them out yourself. Takes 30 minutes or less. There is even a how-to on this site for that if you have not done it before.

Air Inlet Tube? Maybe the scoop into the airbox, or the tube from the airbox to the throttle body is cracked. Never heard of that happening. But if it did, it is nice of them to notice it, and fix it for free for you.

Computer software? Maybe there is a new software update for yours. Dealer should do that for free anyway.

And the only real known issue with the KJ is the window regulators. I have had 3-4 of them go bad. Dealer replaced them under warranty. After that, I just fixed them myself. There is a how-to on here for that too.

And BTW, Welcome to the club!

Midwest95 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:27 pm

Thanks for the welcome, and all the replies you guys are great. Ya I couldn't believe the throttle body part either, I asked him because it sounded weird that I would need a new one and he just said "ya it needed replaced" with out saying much else, he was very nice about it. hmm ok, sure I'll take a new throttle body for free!? I just wish I could do the window regulators before the warranty is over, but they are still working as of now.

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:16 pm

Personally, I would take it to a different mechanic. Even though its free this place does not sound ethical or honest.
As far as the luck I have had with my Jeep. It has been the most reliable, problem free vehicle I have ever owned. I was a person that was leary of buying a Jeep (because of stories I heard about the Grand Cherokee) and now I love it. I have done literally nothing but change the brake pads ,oil/oil filter, air filter and tires since Ive owned it. going to change my plugs and wires now.
the only mechanical issue that I ever had was the automatic shifter. A small plastic tab broke inside and it would not fully go into park so I could not remove the key from the ignition. Jeep remade the part better and I have had 0 problems since.
I have a 2006 Renegade at 50k miles.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:19 pm

Just be ready for a window regulator to go. :SOMBRERO:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:16 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Just be ready for a window regulator to go. :SOMBRERO:

Yes, and it will cost about $650 per door if you take it to a dealer. Plan on replacing all 4 within the next few years.

STINGN · **Posted:** Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:32 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Just be ready for a window regulator to go. :SOMBRERO:

wecwbe · **Posted:** Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:52 am

I haven't had my Liberty long enough to have an opinion on it but I've put 162,000 miles on my 99 Wrangler in 11 yerars and have yet to find a cheap part on it. I have done some pretty hardcore wheeling with it and never been disappointed. The only thing I can remember breaking was the plastic step on the passenger side (the Saharas came with plastic steps on each side). It's really hard to complain about this though... it happened when I slipped on some rocks and it was the first thing to hit the ground. So it can't support the entire weight of the vehicle crashing to the ground. I'm okay with that.

Besides, it only cracked, it didn't really break.

In all seriousness, I have not had a single problem with a cheap part. I try to take good care of my vehicles but I don't baby them. My Wrangler has been through a lot and come out great.

I really wonder about some of the parts your mechanic said needed to be replaced. I don't know how some of them would go bad unless they got smashed in an accident. How does an air inlet tube go bad???

Any way, I hope your luck changes and you enjoy your Jeep.

Boiler · **Posted:** Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:36 am

surfRenegade wrote:

Personally, I would take it to a different mechanic. Even though its free this place does not sound ethical or honest.
As far as the luck I have had with my Jeep. It has been the most reliable, problem free vehicle I have ever owned. I was a person that was leary of buying a Jeep (because of stories I heard about the Grand Cherokee) and now I love it. I have done literally nothing but change the brake pads ,oil/oil filter, air filter and tires since Ive owned it. going to change my plugs and wires now.
the only mechanical issue that I ever had was the automatic shifter. A small plastic tab broke inside and it would not fully go into park so I could not remove the key from the ignition. Jeep remade the part better and I have had 0 problems since.
I have a 2006 Renegade at 50k miles.

X2. I'd definitely get a second opinion or ask them to show you what is wrong with the items. If you get a better explanation, even if you don't understand it, people on here probably will. I'm not sure why you'd need a new throttle body. Seems like cleaning it would be the only thing possibly needed. And the air inlet tube? Is that the tube going from the airbox to the throttle body? Again, if it is cracked great, but all of this seems very shady. Is there a deductable when you get warranty work done? If so, getting new parts in those may not be worth it. I'm no mechanic though, so definitely get a second opinion, but I've not yet seen anyone on here talk about either of those 2 things "going bad".

Changing plugs is pretty easy to do yourself, if you take your time. Kind of fun too. Couple bucks a piece for Autolite Platinums is all you need.

Focus2010 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:09 am **Posts:** 22

It's going to be rare that I defend the Liberty, at least the one at my house, but here it is...

The trans stuff is pretty much 5/6 speed auto stuff.. All my 5spd auto Fords do the same thing, and my in-laws Toyota Avalon and Highlander do too. For the Fords there are programmers that will adjust it and it gets much better but that just seems to be the nature of the beast.

When we test drove this one she thought it was shifting weird so the Jeep dealer let her drive 3 others. She concluded they were all the same and bought it.

Are Jeeps loaded with cheap parts?

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