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Jeep no rear brakes since day one

1K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  jlshelby 
#1 ·
First of all I was able to get my coolant problem resolved thanks to the forum here so I'm back to trying to get my brakes fixed since I have had this issue day one.

I bought this in February 2017 and pointed out some weird problems that I had day one. We had a snow storm and my driveway was a bit icy and I noticed that the Jeep would just take way too far to stop which seemed like either bad traction or something else. After some of the ice would melt and my lower part of my driveway would be completely dry I was noticing that the Jeep would slide all the way down my driveway until the front tires hit the dry pavement which is where I started to see the problem. I let Jeep know immediately that this was a serious concern and took it to the dealership to which they were going to look at. Well the dealership told me this was operating under normal specifications which it clearly wasnt. I couldnt find out exactly what was going on and during the non-snow times it seemed to just take a bit more to stop. So here we are another winter and I contacted Jeep once again that this was a problem. They seemed to continue to ignore the issue so I took it to a 3rd party. The guy told me he had fixed about 50 Jeeps 2017-2018 that had this problem and wouldn't tell me much more than it was definitely a Jeep defect. Clearly he was exploiting this flaw so the shop wasnt going to disclose too much there but I realized that Jeep should investigate this so I continued to pursue getting them involved.

Well today I took a video of the Jeep going down my driveway just for my own sanity to see if what I suspected was true. You can see 52 seconds in to the video that the front brakes lock and the rear just keep rolling. I am extremely disappointed it had to come to this to get a car manufacturer to acknowledge a possible safety issue but I'm sure they get a lot of BS complaints often however this has been going on for 2 years now and I've not seen a recall yet so here it is:



Has anyone else had this issue as I am wondering if it is an issue with all 2017-2018 or just possibly this model. I'm trying to find out so that I can know what to expect to pay when I take it in to a shop rather than them say we have to replace the whole rear brake system at my cost and its something like a pinched brake line.

Thanks
 
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#2 ·
:| Can't t ell much from the video, but--

You need to goto the JK section of the forum for more detailed/qualified help--

Good luck--MERRY CHRISTMAS !

:nerd: JIMBO
 
#4 ·
Back to the dealer I would go. Specially if you reported this already during your warranty. They would have to show me where the back brakes are actually working. Like put it up on a lift and see the back wheels stop turning when the brakes are applied. If the mechanic has seen 40-50 Jeeps with this problem the dealer would have seen at least one.
 
#5 ·
though testing it like that leads to more question then answers. First on dry pavement do a panic stop test at say 35mph in safe place. Jeep stay in straight line? did it leave 4 skid marks?

what no one can see in that video is how hard you are pressing down on the brakes. i can see where light pressure would have fronts skidding since the way the jeep unloads the front going backwards. just a thought on that one.

Now the parking brakes are kind of a joke. Even new ours never could not hold it well on much of a hill. very small shoes in there. for say 35/37s.

might be part of the ABS to not give the rear as much bias to avoid a rear skid out? That i am guessing. But would bet if you stabbed the brakes it would skid rears. show that as control test. You say rears dont work, but looks like you tried to make it do this? I betting the ABS being bias to front going in reverse. No issue its a jeep thing as Fiat would say In design specs< for what that is worth.....

Jks wear out the rear 2x+ faster then fronts as well. Mines on second set rears and factory fronts at 38k. Think that has to do with nanny controls of ABS.
 
#6 ·
I did take it to the dealer they said it was "normal". It is no longer under warranty.

I did all kinds of tests. In 4WD it doesn't stop and we went in the ditch this weekend as its like driving a 2WD ford ranger with no weight in the back. It doesn't handle turns very well but it does have better going traction in 4WD.

There is clearly something wrong with the rear brakes and Jeep doesn't seem to want to follow up with the dealership as I went through this when it first happened and they completely dropped the case it seems once the dealership said there was nothing wrong. I've had various feedback on the video I took but if you are driving 65 and blow a front tire, then brake its not going to be a good ending with no rear brakes.

I will also point out that while sliding the ebrake does stop the vehicle which makes it even more clear the rear brakes are completely out since day one and having had others with the 2016 and up Jeeps also having a this concern because their brakes dont feel right in the winter its hard to get the anyone to look at it.

Once the snow that we just got melts a bit to make my driveway a bit easier to slide then I will do a 4WD video to see how the wheels respond as I'm not sure if the brakes are independent or if the front brakes are going to help stop the rear wheels.

I had my rear pads looked at and there is no wear. The front ones need replaced which I will do soon so all the signs look like a problem but I cant keep driving 60 miles each time to take it in to the dealer ship and waste hours with my schedule as it is a problem.
 
#7 ·
Sounds like you have no choice but to take it to the guy who says he knows what it is and have him fix it. I think you have a right, after you pay him, ask him to show you what was wrong, broken parts and all. Then post back here in case someone else is chasing the same problem.
 
#9 ·
When I went to replace my brakes I found the rear calipers totally seized on the slide pins! They would not budge. I installed new calipers all around and used Power Stop rotors and pads.

Perhaps this is what you have too, given the no pad wear in the rear. It the caliper is not moving the pads will never work or wear. Just another perspective, and worth checking in to.
 
#10 ·
I give up. I've taken it in 3 times and these guys just don't get it. From what I've found this affects a high number if not all 2017-2018 jeep wranglers and I've seen posts where the 2016 have the issues to. This starts anywhere from 0-8000 miles and you won't see it on dry pavement which is why they say "it is working according to specification".

I've decided to get rid of the Jeep and go to Chevy as this has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned with all these problems and will never by a Chrysler or Jeep ever again. I've had a lot of replies to my youtube post and seems many have their own complaints about issues that I have been discussing with them.

I will also add that I know someone that works and Jeep and he did say they are aware of a problem but not allowed to talk about it so that was my final I give up point as too many vehicle makers are trying to cover their *** rather than admit problems and protect their customers.

Thanks for the replies everyone and good luck.
 
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