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Production delayed Grand Cherokee WK2 Ecodiesel

7K views 55 replies 20 participants last post by  DieselBTB 
#1 ·
My local dealer sent this in an email to me almost two weeks: "All of the diesel Grand Cherokee’s and the Ram 1500 Diesels went on build restriction almost 4 weeks ago."

In other words, the factory has stopped building these diesel vehicles for some reason. I've always been leery about ordering a new model year vehicle. So I had hoped that by waiting to place an order until 2016/17 the bugs would have been worked out. Now I'm waiting for something to change...and I'm nervous about what sort of change is being made to the diesel WK2.

What's going on? Anyone know what sort of problem has caused the line to be shut down?

Cheers
 
#2 ·
Hope they keep the diesels. Who knows why, if this is true. Would imagine sales are not as good as the gassers but surely they would expect that. When I bought my 2014, late in 2014, they had a factory offer for a free diesel upgrade, a $4999 CDN value from the V6. Was tempted to get it. Sometimes I regret not getting it due to living in a relatively colder climate (which is probably not issue anymore with the new diesels).
 
#3 ·
Its not unheard of for diesels (or other features) to go on restriction from time to time. Sometimes parts availability, sometimes an issue with a part. Sometimes there is no explanation (production scheduling of vehicles in more demand for example). It doesn't mean the feature is being dropped.

Rumor is that the EPA may be taking a longer time than expected to certify the 2017 model. Thanks to VW, seams there is much more EPA scrutiny.
 
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#6 ·
Do you think this is just a routine formality with the EPA? Or, is it possible that Chrysler will have to re-engineer the engine/exhaust? I need decent towing ability. Any less horsepower or torque, and I'll have to find something else. Hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks for your comments.
 
#7 ·
While the MY17 EcoDiesel only went in to production a few weeks ago, the word is that Jeep is waiting on a certification. That's apparently necessary because the MY17 has a different transmission than previous model years.
 
#8 ·
I would have selected the diesel if it wasn't so expensive...they would sell more if they would bring the price down. The V6 IMO is just a no-brainer. Plenty of power (IMO), cheaper to purchase, and better MPG than the V8.
 
#12 ·
I ordered my GC TH last weekend. They didn't mention this and confirmed a 6-9 week delivery.

I'll have to call and see what's up. I can't believe they would have accepted the order and given me that delivery window if production was halted.

Though, that would explain why we couldn't find one... Anywhere.
 
#13 ·
The "delivery window" offered by the dealer is just an estimate based on their experience. It's not anywhere close to a guaranteed date or something you should rely on.

I too have a 2017 diesel on order and was told 4-8 weeks for delivery when I ordered a month before they were even scheduled to be built. Since I knew 4 weeks of that timeframe they weren't even being built that I wasn't going to be able to rely on the dealer's info.

Although I almost always known more about the vehicle I want than the dealer. The salesperson also told me they'd just find me a 2016 because there weren't "any" changes for the 2017 model. I politely told him, "I know exactly what I want and exactly what I want to pay. How do I order?"
 
#14 ·
Yeah, there seems to be quite a few 2016 EcoDiesels in inventory that they are trying to move, mostly in configurations you may not want. The 2017 EcoDiesel has the second generation 8 Speed that other makes have been using for a few years. Perhaps the EPA requirement to recertify was unexpected, or probably its just taking the EPA longer than expected. On the other hand, FCA may want to hold off until the 2016 inventory is smaller :)
 
#15 ·
Hmmm, I did call the dealer I ordered it from, and they did say everything was on track.

Though, I still haven't actually heard direct from FCA like I was told would happen.

I'll get on them again in a few days if I haven't heard anything. I wonder if there is a way I can get ahold of Chrysler directly to find out about my order...
 
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#20 ·
OK, after doing research, I see that something is up, but no one's talking much about it. I know when I first tried to order the ecodiesel, they said that they couldn't order it, then they called me back and said it was unlocked. Which, is strange. I wonder if the GM said...take the order, we'll put it in the system when we're able? Pure speculation.
 
#21 ·
OK, any word on updates (@JeepCares ??)

My local dealer is willing to take my money with no mention of any hold on production or EPA certification, but they are quoting a 6-8 week order-to-delivery timeline.

I'm coming from a beloved and rock-solid reliable VW Touareg TDI ("Dieselgate Special Edition") that will likely be bought back some time in the next several months. I love mid-sized diesels in an SUV that can actually go off-road, so it's a GC Overland EcoDiesel, Range Rover Sport Td6, or if the timing works out, maybe a new Disco Td6. Either that, or I dump SUVs all together and go with some kind of sports sedan.
 
#27 ·
OK, any word on updates (@JeepCares ??)

My local dealer is willing to take my money with no mention of any hold on production or EPA certification, but they are quoting a 6-8 week order-to-delivery timeline.

I'm coming from a beloved and rock-solid reliable VW Touareg TDI ("Dieselgate Special Edition") that will likely be bought back some time in the next several months. I love mid-sized diesels in an SUV that can actually go off-road, so it's a GC Overland EcoDiesel, Range Rover Sport Td6, or if the timing works out, maybe a new Disco Td6. Either that, or I dump SUVs all together and go with some kind of sports sedan.
Hi DieselBTB,

I went directly to the brand, who let me know there are still no updates at this time.

TrailKroozr--would you mind sending me a PM with your VIN so I can double-check the information you received?

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#22 ·
Forgot to mention this:
[ Google "FCA Diesel Emissions" and look for the Autoblog article... I can't post links yet ]:frown2:

I know the EcoDiesel is an Italian engine and not Cummins, but it would not surprise me for the EPA to be holding up all FCA diesel certifications while this class action for supposed cheating - which predates Dieselgate by 2 years and could make Cummins a repeat offender - gets settled.

And just FYI, none of us VW 3.0L TDI drivers thought we would be affected by the 2.0L Golf/Jetta "cheat" which kicked off Dieselgate...until we were.

Don't want to go through this again.
 
#23 ·
Why not keep the Toureg and just take the compensation payment? Is that not an option in the US?
I am actually looking at some used Toureg 3.0s as replacements for this JGC 3.0.
There is a beautiful platinum Exec with only 18,000 km....the lady trades every two years for the last 20 years at the same dealership! It has only had regularly scheduled maintenance......that's 18 fewer trips to the dealer than my JGC!!!....but, it is a year newer and has 6ooo km less....LOL!
 
#24 ·
They are great vehicles, especially with 4XMOTION. Go check out ClubTouareg.com - the community is as active as this one. There are some good buyers' guides out there - you'll want to know if the DEF heater has been replaced on that MY, for example.

Anyway, will have to wait and see what the settlement is...initial hearing is delayed until 15 December.

If it is anything like the 2.0 settlement, the buyback price (2009 - 2012 only...mine is a 2010) plus the settlement will come out to something like 200% the current value - private sale or trade-in - and 110 - 150% the back-dated NADA clean trade-in value. The buyback price alone will be calculated back to some time in 2015 (probably September when the scandal first broke), with clean trade value guaranteed as long as the vehicle moves under its own power. Outside the settlement, they're worth very little.

So, financially speaking, it will be a no-brainer to take the buyback. Emotionally...eh, not so much.

MY2013 - 2015 will supposedly be fixed - anything from a new SCR cat and ECU flash, to just an ECU flash. Question is how the "fix" (it warn't broke to begin with, IMO) will affect the vehicle - lower power? Worse fuel economy? Anecdotal evidence from the "fix" on the 2.0 engines in the UK seems to indicate both low-end performance and fuel economy is drastically affected.
 
#31 ·
So...I guess no '17s.

I guess I should have taken that "lowball" trade in value when I had the chance....I'm thinking that it will have dropped another few thousand as soon as word gets out.
The diesel option was 'free' when I got mine....so will I get a payout....a buyout...??
Will we be able to get extended warranty?
Will there be a fix?
The worst thing, to me, is not the engine issue....it's that I have this engine in a vehicle infested with gremlins.
 
#37 ·
You can drive cars already on the road. Since it's a class action, you will have the choice to opt out once any settlement is announced, or take whatever settlement they offer.

Not sure what the EPA's and CARB's involvement is in this class action, and correlation is not causation, but it appears the EPA has not yet certified 2017 EcoDiesels, and there's no stop-sale like there was for VW's, so while 2017s will not be available until the EPA and CARB certify them you can still get 2016s if you can find them.
 
#34 ·
I'll wait for the outcome of the lawsuit to make a judgement.

If FCA is in the wrong, they need to step up now and do what it takes to make it right. That includes all cost's involved in finding the problem. Penalties? Nothing for the lawyers.
 
#48 ·
Other than performance (obviously a big deal and the biggest reason) why would anyone want to even touch a diesel right now until all the dust settles and these issues are figured out. You can get similar performance with other platforms that doesn't make diesel just the over whelming only option.

I guess I am far to conservative and just think that all the diesel issues are far from over. Time will tell. Maybe I will bookmark this post and I will be either really wrong or it will be an "I told you so"
 
#51 ·
Right now, you can't get similar performance (specifically the combination of torque and mileage and range) in an SUV that has the Off-Road performance that a Jeep, VW Touareg, or Range Rover has with their diesels. Furthermore, despite the negative press, diesels emit far, far less CO2 than gas engines of comparative size. They're not as efficient or clean in stop-and-go urban driving against modern small gas turbos, but those gas turbos have reached their limits for emissions and we're going to see efficiency drop again with larger engines as they continue to chase tightening emissions limits.

Some day, they'll crack the BEV nut and there will be an all-electric vehicle with a 600+ mile range with all the instant torque you can handle. Until then, when you live out west, have long highway commutes, or take a lot of road trips, there's nothing better than a diesel. Personally, I'd rather see fuel cell vehicles grow, but that's an infrastructure challenge only the government or the petroleum industry can solve. The petroleum industry isn't interested, and I already pay waaaaaay too many taxes.
 
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