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Drivetrain woes......post here.

DocSkip

Moderator
Staff member
Amid the many threads going on - thought it might be helpful to begin a thread dedicated just to the Drivetrain woes many seem to be experiencing.

My W/III locked up first time on December 9th with a little less than 1000 miles. The tech who came to the house cycled through the 4wd system and cleared codes.

Over this past weekend - I locked up again and was able to follow the steps he did previously - though while in the shop I asked them to specifically address the root cause (versus clearing codes).

Attached is the first case notes and yesterday's case notes whereby they noted metallic shavings in the differential fluid. I'm not a mechanic and don't have desire to be - but this CANNOT be a good sign. And simply replacing fluid appears to be masking the root case. @WagoneerCxSvc - perhaps you might agree.

The case notes back page indicates @WagoneerCxSvc is due to launch a software update for drivetrain control module "...release in 1st Quarter 2022."IMG_0642.jpg

Screen Shot 2021-12-09 at 2.22.53 PM.pngScreen Shot 2021-12-09 at 2.22.53 PM.png
 

Randyv

Well-known member
Today, I tested the 4-Low for the first time. Seemed a little clunky getting in and out of 4-low (followed directions). Now, when I make a sharp left hand turn at about 10-15 mph it feels like the rear differential is binding. There are no warning lights or trouble codes. Seems mechanical but oBD doesn't see anything wrong. I'm afraid if we keep driving it like this it will wear the diff prematurely.
 

tnedator

Well-known member
Read on Facebook that some Wagoneers have had to have their rear ends replaced due to this problem. Might be people that kept driving them in the binding condition.

I believe I also read this 4WD lockup issue only seems to be an issue with the Wagoneer and not Grand Wagoneer.

Anyone with a Grand Wagoneer had the 4WD lockup issue?
 

bigdlife86

Member
Deleted in the other thread, and moved here.

Mine just went arry. Series III, 10/21 build, picked it up 11/30. Perfect since then, until yesterday.

Crossed 800 miles, was on the highway cruising an hour south, and 5 miles before my destination "Cruise Control Fault" ACC inoperable, regular cruise inoperable popped up randomly and would no longer work as I was using ACC--but it seemed normal on an open highway. Got off an exit, and it was lugging/struggling to shift. Pulled up to a red light and it seemed to settle.

Then kept driving, and it was starting to growl/grind and drag. Wasn't sure at first, but after hiking & leaving to go back home again, still lugging and binding really badly, but Cruise Control worked again on the highway & it seemed normal cruising on flat & straight highways, if a tad noisier. No warning lights, the 4WD Low button is dead (and not on), but any slight turn of the wheel and its badly binding & struggles.

Made it back to my parking garage...that wasn't fun trying to make those back & forth turns slowly, and called Wagoneer Care this morning then the dealer. Definitely either the back end or transfer case/something. Waiting for an appointment, and I'll take print outs of everyone's repair screen shares--I wanted to make sure to start a case with Wagoneer Care first, before even calling the dealer and the rep said "Good move. We'll assist from here."

Called the dealer, they're very concerned, and asked me if I can, not to drive it, and have it towed there so they can start inspecting it ASAP. I think it can be driven, but I'll see in a bit once I can manuever it out of the parking garage.
 

ICTWagoneer

Active member
I'm joining the queue for 22 Wagoneer owners that have drivetrain issues. Just had a 4 wheel drive system lock up and was right before we were trapped in a drive through trying to get coffee. The binding on the steering was horrendous. After we made it out of the drive through (shoutout to Dunkin) we parked, cycled the ignition. Rear end of the car jumped up. No more 4WD flag... Twisted it into Drive- boom! Certainly shifted gears with authority! Drove it home, but now bringing it back in to the dealership AGAIN!!! This is the best worst car I've ever owned. Starting a formal return and will document what I can. They're ordering us a new car. Only 3k miles on it. Sad.
 

DocSkip

Moderator
Staff member
UGH! @ICTWagoneer what a mess! I am hopeful to get mine back this week after the engineers came out to "push" and "test" the pending programming update(s). The description you provided is perfect and quite identical to what I experienced (you just said it much better/vividly)! I hope you have a STAR and @WagoneerCxSvc report open/initiated.
 

bigdlife86

Member
@bigdlife86 - I'd recommend letting the dealer have it towed in......keep us updated. #ugh
After sitting overnight (and bad binding last night to the point I could barely turn & move in my parking garage), I started it today as I had to drive it back down 4 floors anyway (if it was going to be towed).

Didn't seem to be binding anymore, but had a strange grabbing/gripping/light tug on corners. Seemed much different than yesterday, so took the 8 mile straight road trip to the dealer and drove. No hard binding, but felt heavier, "growlier" and not as smooth or effortless as before, more like it was still in 4wd Low "sort of" or was towing something.

Turning into the dealer parking lot, I did back & forth left to right moves to test it, and the back end seemed to be catching & chirping like an old worn out locking rear end or AWD system, but not severely like yesterday.

Dealer is concerned, has sold several Wags, but not seen anything on these like this yet. Sent him everyone's copy of RO's, the TSB #, etc. "this is great, I'm printing it all for the tech".

Took me outside with their code scanning iPad to see if anything came up immediately, and there was a last in line "Drivetrain" fault error, and another related to TCM same time. No idea why it was horrible yesterday then different & bogged down feeling today, but they're going to dig into it tomorrow.

We'll see. To be continued. Left a voicemail for my Wagoneer services rep that I had dropped it off, and with who.
 

tnedator

Well-known member
On facebook, I read the service bulletin, that claims this only effects vehicles produced before 10/15. Were all of yours built before 10/15?
 
My Wagoneer S3 was built in July but my VIN was not included in the TSB - at least so far. 🤞🤞🤞I’ve had no symptoms at 1590 miles.
 

bigdlife86

Member
Well, good news. Mine was resolved yesterday by the dealer--thanks to that TSB just coming out.

Cruise control failing, binding badly, chugging, etc. They ran the iPad scanner with me to show me codes, it clearly had a TCM and drivetrain fault that triggered causing this, and then sent the drivetrain into binding. I still did 2 highway trips after, straight and steady.

They inspected, and in my case, the TSB resolution was the fix and reset/cleared what was malfunctioning. "Nothing looks abnormal in the differential, either, we checked, since you didn't drive it much after calling us". No idea why it fault code malfunctioned, then caused cruise, etc. to fail and it to start binding, but the TSB reprogram seemed to work and it's back to normal.

Copy of my RO, and the TSB resolution:
 

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bigdlife86

Member
Thanks for sharing @bigdlife86 - hope you are motoring worry free!
Good thing more full on TSB's are now being released. So much software in these, it's bound to take more updates.

I doubt most are actually a mechanical failure to start, but instead when the software glitches out and starts making the differential/transfer case malfunction and bind, if people keep driving or having to force it to move, then damage can occur. Electronics are complex...for sure.
 

ICTWagoneer

Active member
Thanks to this forum (and Skip) I was able to resolve the issues I was having with my WS3. I was the informant for my service department with respect to the Drivetrain issues because of the information shared on this forum. This led to the meeting I had with my dealership's top 3 and a Chrystler Rep that resulted in my buy-back, instead of the "Cash n Keep" first offer they gave. Neither we, nor the dealership, wanted to keep our car so that pushed us over the finish line. New WS3 ordered with an additional package (convenience- WE NEED THE CAMERAS) so now all we have to do is wait. Anyone know if "Order priority 1" actually means anything? Haha

ALSO- heated seats were randomly shutting off like many others have reported. While we wait for yet another software update, know that our seats won't turn off if you select the Low or Mid setting.
 

reynoldsbear

Active member
Thanks to this forum (and Skip) I was able to resolve the issues I was having with my WS3. I was the informant for my service department with respect to the Drivetrain issues because of the information shared on this forum. This led to the meeting I had with my dealership's top 3 and a Chrystler Rep that resulted in my buy-back, instead of the "Cash n Keep" first offer they gave. Neither we, nor the dealership, wanted to keep our car so that pushed us over the finish line. New WS3 ordered with an additional package (convenience- WE NEED THE CAMERAS) so now all we have to do is wait. Anyone know if "Order priority 1" actually means anything? Haha

ALSO- heated seats were randomly shutting off like many others have reported. While we wait for yet another software update, know that our seats won't turn off if you select the Low or Mid setting.
Would you mind sharing more info with me about the offer you were made? I am expecting a call back from WCS to discuss compensation possibilities because of all of the issues we have had. Love the car and would consider ordering a new one if that meant issues were not present with the newer cars. You can email me at reynoldsbear@gmail.com or private message me. Your time is much appreciated.
 

Randyv

Well-known member
I'm joining the queue for 22 Wagoneer owners that have drivetrain issues. Just had a 4 wheel drive system lock up and was right before we were trapped in a drive through trying to get coffee. The binding on the steering was horrendous. After we made it out of the drive through (shoutout to Dunkin) we parked, cycled the ignition. Rear end of the car jumped up. No more 4WD flag... Twisted it into Drive- boom! Certainly shifted gears with authority! Drove it home, but now bringing it back in to the dealership AGAIN!!! This is the best worst car I've ever owned. Starting a formal return and will document what I can. They're ordering us a new car. Only 3k miles on it. Sad.
Is the swap occurring through the dealer or Stellantis?
 

bigdlife86

Member
Thanks to this forum (and Skip) I was able to resolve the issues I was having with my WS3. I was the informant for my service department with respect to the Drivetrain issues because of the information shared on this forum. This led to the meeting I had with my dealership's top 3 and a Chrystler Rep that resulted in my buy-back, instead of the "Cash n Keep" first offer they gave. Neither we, nor the dealership, wanted to keep our car so that pushed us over the finish line. New WS3 ordered with an additional package (convenience- WE NEED THE CAMERAS) so now all we have to do is wait. Anyone know if "Order priority 1" actually means anything? Haha

ALSO- heated seats were randomly shutting off like many others have reported. While we wait for yet another software update, know that our seats won't turn off if you select the Low or Mid setting.

Excellent, and good to hear. And YES, with the Convenience package--that needs to be standard. Surround view, automated parking assist, etc. Onward, and upward.

Do you get to keep the current one until the next one comes in?
 

ICTWagoneer

Active member
Excellent, and good to hear. And YES, with the Convenience package--that needs to be standard. Surround view, automated parking assist, etc. Onward, and upward.

Do you get to keep the current one until the next one comes in?
I'm keeping the wounded pony for as long as I'm able to. After it's taken back, my dealership will see to it that I have a car to drive while my replacement is being built. The execs in my meeting said that buy-back vehicles sometimes sit on a lot for an entire year before anyone comes to retrieve them, so it doesn't seem like they'll be too motivated to chase us down and take the keys immediately. At least for now.
Since the last software update, the car operates just fine. So far the only cost for maintenance is my time and aggravation, and as a Wagoneer customer they're required to give us a car off their lot to drive when I bring it in for maintenance. Because of this, since paperwork moves slowly, I may call an audible and take Jeep's cash apology (check for 10% of MSRP), then simply trade in my WS3 for the new one when it arrives (3, 4, maybe 8 months who knows??!). At least we won't need to worry about transportation if the Buy-back people take our car sooner than expected.
 
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