I've been reading numerous posts over the last couple of months about all the problems with the new JK ( most minor / some major ) and I'm having trouble justifying purchasing / ordering an 08. I wanted an 07 but was hopeing most problems will be fixed for the 08 model year , so I'll wait and see.
I've had two jeeps before (79 CJ5 & 93 YJ ) and loved them both, just a fun vehicle no doubt about it. The unlimited would be great for the family and I would still have a great time with it - way to go DC.
But here's my problem- I currently have a 95 Toyota Camry (112,000 miles ) and a 97 Mazda B2300 (143,000 miles ) both very boring I know, but they have had less problems combined over the last 12/10 years then guys who have bought new jk's with less than 10,000 miles. They required basic maintance and that's all -they just don't stop running. I know there not taken off road or abused like a jeep would be , as they are just daily drivers.It seems some of you guys are really having a hard time keeping your jk's out of the dealers shop.
Ok , are the jk's that bad or am I over reacting to a couple of 1st model year problems which will be worked out by 08'???? Also let me just say , other than the jk nothing on the market right now interests me - the jk is my vehicle of choice if they can make it reliable. Thanks Chris

 

HDFFR
The JK's have been out for months.
At this point ...
If you have to ask ...
Maybe you shouldn't !!!

 

What you see here is a very small percentage of the total number of Jk's built. I am not concerned with the problems that everyone is having. If the jeep quality was this bad on every one that came off the line they would not be selling them at all.

Go get one.

 

Chris--

I think you're overreacting to a few folks who've posted about real problems, without that data reflecting properly on the entire JK community. That is, folks not having problems aren't posting about that specifically--that's not what this forum is about (go read Consumer's Reports for that type of info). But, even a casual reading of posts should reveal to you that folks love their JKs--including pretty much everyone who's having a problem or two!

That said, at the end of the day Jeep's quality reputation (if you should go read Consumer's Report) is not as high as many other mfg's. If that's more important to you, then maybe the JK isn't for you (sad to say).

 

I've had my Jeep JK 4-Door model, hard top, for about 2 months so far. Bought it slightly used with about 3,000 miles on it. I haven't had one problem with it. It's been in rain - no leaks at all. It drives nice, shifts perfectly (6-spd model). Seems like it's on its way to being a solid, dependible vehicle for quite a long time.

Here are a few of the things I like. Awsome styling!!! Some thought was given to the location and protection of various switches to weather proof them (i.e. windows, milage, trip, temp switches. Frame is very solid - Jeep could have easily (and cheaply) gone with a unibody construction). Stock bumpers actually aren't bad. Installing a tow hitch receiver is easy. Getting to engine componants is easy - pleanty of space to drop in a larger engine, but I don't know at what cost and expense. Decent sound system. Interior is quite comfortable. 2nd row seats fold (almost) flat. Robust 4-wd. Priced right!

Complaints: Mediocre gas milage. Should have made the 6cyl engine a 4.2L. 2nd row seats need to fold flat without a gap for easy loading of cargo. Presently, a lack of aftermarket parts and accessories, other than some basic items - this will change, though.

I went to the local Jeep accessory store this weekend to see what they had for the JK model. Not much, but the girl that ran the place was very nice and patient in convincing me to "hold out" for a few more months, and gradually accessories will come onto the market for the JK. This has been about my biggest complaint about the JK. She confirmed that the JK shares practically nothing in common with the other Jeeps and that no parts interchange. I previously owned one of the new Thunderbirds, and NO ONE made any decent aftermarket parts for this car. Loved the car, but basically what you bought is what you get! Thus, my reason for not buying another one. I want something I can play in, and play with, so I opted for the Jeep.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v0a9hRCj8KE

 

If you are looking for a JK to compare to japanese car quality,it will NOT..

I am dissappointed with the overall build quality of my JK..Not that I have had any issues,other than the cheap plastic clips that"kind of" hold the interior pieces on,only 4 screws holding the entire center console on,and scratchy plastic..These are minor things,but I took the interior out to put rhino lining in and discovered just how cheaply they are built..Jeep can't even afford an underhood light and footwell lights..When I went to pick up my brand new ordered JK it would not start and the techs could not figure out why for 4 days..Turned out to be a faulty clutch switch relay..Not a great way to start out ownership..

But the Jeep is a convertable and is relatively fun to drive..I do not plan on keeping it much more than 3 years so build quality will be the next owners concern..I wanted a fun truck,the Jeep fits that bill perfectly..If I wanted pure quality and reliablity I would have gone with a toyota or honda..

 

Many people complaining about the "cheap" plastic fail to forget that the JK is a serious off-road vehicle and has high quality axle, suspension, driveshaft parts not even found in some highly expensive 4x4s... If you want "strong" plastic you should buy a Liberty but please then don't complain that you can no longer go off roading....If you want to pick up groceries and drop off the kids at the pool, the JK is not for you...

 

I love my jeep.......but compared to the toyotas and hondas that i have owned in the past, design and build quality is terrible. Mine has the bad plastic interior, it periodically stalls for no apparent reason, the hood flaps around in a high wind and it's missing several parts that it was suppossed to have come with. Oh, and the dealer and DC customer support sucks. That said, mine doesn't leak, the body seems very tight (no squeaks, rattles, etc.) and DAMN is it FUN to drive. And did I mention that the top comes off?

Days that its in the shop, I wish I'd bought the FJ Cruiser that i was looking at. Days when its working and the sun is shining, nothing's better. Three weeks ago i'd have sold it to you cheap, now I'm not so sure. Partly its growing on me (maybe my expectations are lower), partly i like being a part of a community and Jeepers are definately a strong community, and did I mention the top comes off?

In short, if you require seamless perfection in a vehicle, look elsewhere. If you are willing to give up a little in the way of reliability, gas mileage and design excellence for a buttload of laughs, buy the Jeep. Just my 2 cents.

 

When you talk of reliability you need to make sure you are looking at the right things. My jeep has never left me stranded. Sure the plastic scratches but who cares that much.

Are you saying your cj and yj were problem free or did you just not care about thier problems? My yj had many issues but none that prevented me from driving home each day. The JK will do the same, it will get you home but its a jeep too and will have little issues. I schedule my warranty things for saturdays so it really doesn't disrupt anything. I wouldn't worry about the warranty things except I figure if I can get it done for free why not do it. My yj had over 114k when I got rid of it and it was never let me down. My camry had 130 but after the 100k mark it was in the shop several times with things that made the check engine light come on. Never anything bad but a few hundred bucks here and there.

Bryan