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SUVs Jeep Commander Commander Windshield Crack
39 messages, Last post on Feb 22, 2009 at 6:47 AM
You are in the Jeep Commander Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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| Just to give you guys an update. I replaced one of the Commanders' windshield. Luckily I still have not gotten a new windshield for the other, because I just got another big chip that looks like a bullet hole right in the middle on the drivers side. There must be a design flaw. | |
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We sent the following message to Daimler Chrysler Customer Assistance (the following e-mail address) http://www-5.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp?screenName=customer&country=- us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29 and received the response that I have included below. "We purchased a 2006 Jeep Commander in July of 2006. Since we have owned it, we have had 2 rock chips, that we have had patched. Since then, we have 4 different cracks that have all started below the windshield wipers, and all 4 cracks started within 24 hours of each other. First, it seems that Jeep Commanders are MUCH more seceptible to rock chips than any other car that we have ever owned. Second, the latest 4 cracks do not seem to even have started from rock chips, but since they have all started from the bottom of the windshield, below the windshield wipers (when the wipers were not being used at all), this seems to us to be some kind of design flaw with the Commander's windshield. Perhaps the windshields are just too big, too straight, with little to no slope at all, or just not made sturdy enough. It just seems that there is a design or quality problem with the windshield, and we are concerned about the Jeep dealership that we went to not being willing to repair this problem under warranty. We don't drive our cars on gravel roads at all, we have not driven them through any construction zone areas. We drive them on normal, generally good condition roads, and it doesn't seem reasonable that in 9 months time, we have had 2 rock chips, and now 4 different cracks. We don't feel that we should be responsible to pay $500 to have a windshield repaired, that we are concerned with once it is repaired that they same problem will continue to happen, again and again. We have talked to a few other Commander owners, and they have all experienced the same problem we are having. One couple that we know that owns a Commander is on their 3rd windshield. They seems to be an issue with not just us, but other Commander owners also. We are wondering what Jeep plans to do to rectify this problem? Is a recall being considered? Is a better, stronger, windshield even a possibility, or is the windshield just too large, and too straight up and down to not constantly have this problem? We love our Commander, other than this issue, but wouldn't ever consider purchasing another Jeep unless we knew that Jeep was doing something to fix this problem and make it right with all current owners. We look forward to receiving a response on Jeep's stand on this issue." Here is the response that we received back from them: "Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center. Your recent email was received and reviewed by the Customer Assistance Center. Your concerns, particularly in view of the expense and inconvenience involved in this issue, are understandable. However, your request for consideration in this matter must be declined, because the problem you incurred is the result of environmental causes. Your warranty book states: 3.2 Environmental Factors Not Covered Your warranties don't cover damage caused by environmental factors such as airborne fallout, chemicals, tree sap, salt, ocean spray, acid rain, and road hazards. Nor do your warranties cover damage caused by hailstorms, windstorms, tornadoes, sandstorms, lightning, floods or earthquakes. Your warranties do not cover conditions resulting from anything impacting the vehicle. This includes cracks and chips in glass, scratches and chips in painted surfaces, or damage from collision. Although a more favorable reply could not be provided, sharing your concern with us is appreciated. Thanks again for your email. Sincerely, Leslie Senior Staff Representative Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center" This was pretty much the response we expected to receive from Jeep, but we still feel that the problems with our windshield aren't from environmental issues, but from a flaw in the design of the windshield. We understand that once in awhile a stray rock may chip a windshield or cause a windshield to crack, but it seems that things are a little disproportionate to this happening with Jeep Commanders. When you pay $44,000 (this was list price, we paid $36,000), you would think that you wouldn't have to pay to replace a windshield every 6 months or so to fix something that seems to be a problem in their design of this SUV. We will continue to seek a fair resolution to this issue, and are very interested in hearing from anyone else that is experiencing similiar problems. We are considering contacting a lawyer and pursuing a class action lawsuit against Jeep.
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Replying to: youngmoney (Feb 25, 2007 7:55 pm) Mark of New Orleans LA (12/20/06) The Jeep commander I purchased on Mothers day 2006 has several problems. The windsheild has wind coming in it it has electrical problems and the paint is job has flaws. The vehicle has been in the shop at least 6-8 times and i am still having the same problems, right now i can not even lock my vehicle to protect my property when I go shopping because of the electrical problem which was fixed once before and the windshield was repaired 4 times. I need this problem corrected and Chyrsler is telling me they will not give me a rental while my car is being repaired under warranty. |
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Replying to: kelly51106 (Mar 21, 2007 5:36 pm) http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/reviewlist.aspx?ModelID=11847 "2006 Jeep Commander" 2006 Jeep Commander 4X4 12/21/2005 By: SnowStomper from Oregon Owned: Less than 1 year Review ID: #483954 8.6 Overall Rating 8 Styling 10 Performance 9 Interior 6 Quality 9 Recommendation Pros: We live in a high snow and ice area, and the Commander has out-performed any other vehicle we have ever owned! We maintain traction and control at all times. There is also a very smooth and quiet ride when traveling. Cons: We have had two major mechanical problems with this vehicle. We have owned the Commander for almost 3 months, and a few weeks ago my sister accidentally tipped over a soda on the dash. The soda spilled into the drivers side dash speaker and we experienced some electrical problems. We took it to the dealer to find out there is no protection underneath the speaker cover, and our electrical junction box was completely melted. We had no electrical function and were told if we continued to drive, we could have lost brakes or ignited. Also, if your windshield gets hit with a rock, the glass cracks and spreads immediately with any temperature change. Overall Review: Overall, the Commander is a very functional, well-performing vehicle. There are a couple of manufacture issues that need to be addressed, but otherwise, a very reliable and comfortable car. We have owned Jeeps for years, and this is the first time we have ever had any trouble. We highly recommend this vehicle, both for families and cargo. Also, the towing system is excellent. |
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Replying to: kelly51106 (Mar 21, 2007 5:36 pm) tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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| Well, I believe I have the worst commander of them all when it comes to cracked windshields. I have replaced 4 wind shields in the first 4 months of ownership. The dealer could care less and Chrysler doesn't care either. They both say that I just have bad luck. Two windshield replacements in 2 months is bad luck. Three is extremely bad luck. Four is a statistical impossibility. In actuality it should be 5 windshields. Before I could get one of the windshields replaced it cracked again on the other side. Even the one I have now has a chip in it. I was lucky enough to get that chip repaired before it ran. I am extremely frustrated. It certainly isn't acceptable to pay $450 every month to replace a windshield. I can't even sell the vehicle because its value dropped so quickly after purchasing it. I certainly don't plan to buy any more Chrysler products. I won't be buying anything from any dealerships owned by the same company I purchased my vehicle from either. Let's all hope Chrysler steps up and does something about their ridiculous design flaw. Does the Toyota FJ Cruiser have the same problem? What about the H3 or H1? Those vehicles have flat windshields too. | |
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Replying to: cidman (Apr 07, 2007 5:01 pm) Not necessarily. The deck may be stacked against you if you normally drive in a "hazardous" area, i.e. roads with loose gravel, contruction or other loose materials on the roads. I am not ruling out design or material flaws, however! In any case, I would still consider four cracked windshields in four months to be unacceptable. tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper
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Replying to: cidman (Apr 07, 2007 5:01 pm) I don't recall the exact replacement amount, but it was competitive (around $300). But, of course it depends where you live. And be certain to use Mopar windshields; there are a number of aftermarket glass manufacturers that don't hold correct tolerances. According to some Jeep engineers I speak to regularly, this windshield design is no better or worse (cracking) than others. Good luck. |
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Replying to: cidman (Apr 07, 2007 5:01 pm) I just wanted to respond to give my support to the cause...thanks.
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Replying to: kristinp (Apr 11, 2007 4:27 pm) Below is the information we found on the NHSTA web site at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ By Phone Call the DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 and a NHTSA representative will record your complaint information. General Information Your complaint information will be entered into NHTSA's vehicle owner's complaint database and used with other complaints to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists. If a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must fix it at no cost to the owner. Your complaint is the first step in the process. Government engineers analyze the problem. If warranted, the manufacturer is asked to conduct a recall. If the manufacturer does not initiate a recall, the government can order the manufacturer to initiate a recall. We do not have to receive a specific number of complaints before we look into a problem. We gather all available information on a problem. Your complaint is important to us. For a prompt response from NHTSA, send your information request, suggestions, or comments to webmaster  nhtsa.dot.gov.
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