TL;DR:
Just paid to have the left bank valve train rebuilt for the second time (58k and now 116k) since purchasing this vehicle. Gotta say, I'm not too stoked on buying another Stellantis product.
Full-ish story:
So, I'll keep this to the specific issue of failing hydraulic roller lifters as best as possible. I purchased this vehicle used from a local dealer. Vehicle was sold as CPO with 52k miles and I purchased and extended warranty as well. Front pads and rotors were replaced after test drive showed warped rotors.
A few months after purchase the wife and I took a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. While on the trip a sound developed. It was an odd sound, more of a thudding sound, like a snare mute pad. I called my sales person and explained the situation, he said as soon as I get back home to call and get it in and they would check it out. When we returned I called and got it in for service. They plugged it in, brought the service manager out and everyone decided that, although they couldn't hear any sound, that the sound I previously heard was the lifters and that there was a TSB for them and that since it's under warranty they'd just go ahead and do it. They also noted a small amount of rot in a weld on the aluminum hood and that they would have it taken care of too.
After the "repairs" were complete, they called me and advised that the vehicle was ready and that I had a balance of $248. I was surprised and asked what for. I was advised that I had a check engine light on and that the reason was a leaking evap system, so the replaced the evap purge line. Well, two things: the check engine light wasn't on when I dropped it off, and additionally, this should be covered under warranty as was the $5k dollars worth of engine and body work that was just done. He put me on hold and after coming back he said, "we'll go ahead and take care of that for you". Lol, thanks guy, 'preciate it.
Fast forward a few months and, there's the thudding sound again... wth? I recorded it and you could definitely hear it on the recording. Brought it back in, they couldn't hear it. I threw my hands up in frustration, because while I could clearly hear it, from inside and outside the vehicle, they could not. I left, went home, as it was getting late and I didn't have the patience or words to deal with them. The next morning I started the engine and could hear the noise. I pulled the cover off and... the freaking evap purge line was cracked at the purge valve connection point, making the noise. I removed the line and repaired it, reinstalled it and the noise went away.
Fast forward four years and almost exactly double the miles that the valve train was completely redone, now, yes, that sound... THAT sound, that is a failing lifter. Of course I know what that sounds like, anyone who's ever owned an LS powered GM knows that sound. So, I called my shop and asked for a quote to rebuild the left bank. Surprised at the price, I verified with a different dealer what the approximate cost was and they confirmed that it would be around $2400. 🤔 wow.
After a few hours I thought, maybe Stellantis Care would help. I spent some time on chat and the rep advised me to take the vehicle to the dealer, get it diagnosed, and let them know the outcome and cost and that possibly Stellantis Care could help. I brought the vehicle in on Black Friday and within a few hours they confirmed that at least one of the hydraulic roller lifters had collapsed and the left bank would need rebuilt. They sent me the quote and I got back on with Stellantis Care and spoke with another individual about the issue. I advised during the second conversation that this is not normal. This type of repair shouldn't have to be done so frequently and that these are not typical maintenance items. I also advised that the front pads and rotors were replaced at 52k miles when the vehicle was purchased and that the dealer advised that the pads still have 40% life left. Let that sink in... this heavy highway driven vehicle's front pads have lasted longer than the previous lifter and cam job... I was advised during the second chat and during a follow-up phone call a few hours later that a specialist would look into this and that I would be sent an email asking for receipts and the final repair order. Four days have passed, and no email or return contact. I contacted Stellantis Care tonight and I was assured that someone was working on my case and that someone would reach out to me.
I have been reading stories for all variations and years of the Pentastar engine series. It seems that this is a common issue which has led to class action lawsuits, of which the 1st gen recieved an extended warranty to 250k miles. Current gen shows a ridiculous amount of complaints for this very issue, specifically with the left bank, along with a few class action suits in progress.
This vehicle's mileage is about 85/15 highway/city. Oil changes are done ahead of schedule using only the recommended 5w20 in either Mobil1 or Royal Purple. It is very well cared for, and honestly, this issue aside, has been my favorite vehicle to date. After this, I'm positive I will never buy another Stellantis product again. I'm glad this happened when it did though, I was a few months away from trading in one of my other vehicles for a new 2023 JGC Summit, which as previously noted, will not happen.
Thanks for reading. Any input or advice us welcome. This story will be cross-posted on various sites and social media platforms over the next few days.
Just paid to have the left bank valve train rebuilt for the second time (58k and now 116k) since purchasing this vehicle. Gotta say, I'm not too stoked on buying another Stellantis product.
Full-ish story:
So, I'll keep this to the specific issue of failing hydraulic roller lifters as best as possible. I purchased this vehicle used from a local dealer. Vehicle was sold as CPO with 52k miles and I purchased and extended warranty as well. Front pads and rotors were replaced after test drive showed warped rotors.
A few months after purchase the wife and I took a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. While on the trip a sound developed. It was an odd sound, more of a thudding sound, like a snare mute pad. I called my sales person and explained the situation, he said as soon as I get back home to call and get it in and they would check it out. When we returned I called and got it in for service. They plugged it in, brought the service manager out and everyone decided that, although they couldn't hear any sound, that the sound I previously heard was the lifters and that there was a TSB for them and that since it's under warranty they'd just go ahead and do it. They also noted a small amount of rot in a weld on the aluminum hood and that they would have it taken care of too.
After the "repairs" were complete, they called me and advised that the vehicle was ready and that I had a balance of $248. I was surprised and asked what for. I was advised that I had a check engine light on and that the reason was a leaking evap system, so the replaced the evap purge line. Well, two things: the check engine light wasn't on when I dropped it off, and additionally, this should be covered under warranty as was the $5k dollars worth of engine and body work that was just done. He put me on hold and after coming back he said, "we'll go ahead and take care of that for you". Lol, thanks guy, 'preciate it.
Fast forward a few months and, there's the thudding sound again... wth? I recorded it and you could definitely hear it on the recording. Brought it back in, they couldn't hear it. I threw my hands up in frustration, because while I could clearly hear it, from inside and outside the vehicle, they could not. I left, went home, as it was getting late and I didn't have the patience or words to deal with them. The next morning I started the engine and could hear the noise. I pulled the cover off and... the freaking evap purge line was cracked at the purge valve connection point, making the noise. I removed the line and repaired it, reinstalled it and the noise went away.
Fast forward four years and almost exactly double the miles that the valve train was completely redone, now, yes, that sound... THAT sound, that is a failing lifter. Of course I know what that sounds like, anyone who's ever owned an LS powered GM knows that sound. So, I called my shop and asked for a quote to rebuild the left bank. Surprised at the price, I verified with a different dealer what the approximate cost was and they confirmed that it would be around $2400. 🤔 wow.
After a few hours I thought, maybe Stellantis Care would help. I spent some time on chat and the rep advised me to take the vehicle to the dealer, get it diagnosed, and let them know the outcome and cost and that possibly Stellantis Care could help. I brought the vehicle in on Black Friday and within a few hours they confirmed that at least one of the hydraulic roller lifters had collapsed and the left bank would need rebuilt. They sent me the quote and I got back on with Stellantis Care and spoke with another individual about the issue. I advised during the second conversation that this is not normal. This type of repair shouldn't have to be done so frequently and that these are not typical maintenance items. I also advised that the front pads and rotors were replaced at 52k miles when the vehicle was purchased and that the dealer advised that the pads still have 40% life left. Let that sink in... this heavy highway driven vehicle's front pads have lasted longer than the previous lifter and cam job... I was advised during the second chat and during a follow-up phone call a few hours later that a specialist would look into this and that I would be sent an email asking for receipts and the final repair order. Four days have passed, and no email or return contact. I contacted Stellantis Care tonight and I was assured that someone was working on my case and that someone would reach out to me.
I have been reading stories for all variations and years of the Pentastar engine series. It seems that this is a common issue which has led to class action lawsuits, of which the 1st gen recieved an extended warranty to 250k miles. Current gen shows a ridiculous amount of complaints for this very issue, specifically with the left bank, along with a few class action suits in progress.
This vehicle's mileage is about 85/15 highway/city. Oil changes are done ahead of schedule using only the recommended 5w20 in either Mobil1 or Royal Purple. It is very well cared for, and honestly, this issue aside, has been my favorite vehicle to date. After this, I'm positive I will never buy another Stellantis product again. I'm glad this happened when it did though, I was a few months away from trading in one of my other vehicles for a new 2023 JGC Summit, which as previously noted, will not happen.
Thanks for reading. Any input or advice us welcome. This story will be cross-posted on various sites and social media platforms over the next few days.
