Ongoing Window Regulator Issue....

[AZ Outlaws]

As many KJ owners know (or may not know), Jeep has a piss poor design for the window regulators. They break at an alarming rate and cause the window to fall down on it's own.

A little over a year ago Jeep came out with a new fix to supposedly cure this problem once and for all. The fix included a redesigned window regulator that also required new glass to be installed (all at the owner's expense of course if out of warranty).

Has anybody that had their window regulator fixed with the new style regulator have it break again?? The newer style regulator and glass were supposed to be a fix for this ongoing issue.

I had the the left rear regulator and glass replaced less than a year ago... 7-28-09 to be exact. The regulator decided to break again this evening. It doesn't look like the new fix is holding up as planned. I pulled the door panel off and did the zip tie temp fix to hold the window up until I get it fixed again for the "4th" f'ing time.

If anyone has replaced their left rear window regulator with the new parts, could you please check your dealer work order and let me know if the new fix included the following part numbers:

- 68059647-AA Regulator (23039005)
- 68058661-AA Label NON (18079005)
- 68059653-AA Glass REA (23064308)

This is getting to be pure BS, especially after just having the POS plastic bushing break that holds the 4wd shifter cable to the xfer case on my JK. It broke while on the trail (leaving me stuck in 4wd low).

I haven't purchased an American made vehicle other than a TJ, KJ and a JK since '92 so I can't compare the Jeeps to any recent American models I've owned. All I know is I'm getting pretty tired of the build quality of Jeeps.......

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Update:

I called the dealership first thing this morning and found the answer to my own question.

YES, the new regulator that requires new glass is also breaking!! Chrysler HAS NOT fixed this ongoing issue!! Total bull crap!! While my dealer has and is giving me a courtesy warranty, it still costs me $100.00 each time it breaks... unacceptable.

Jeep may well be the best 4x4 on the market for it's "straight off the showroom floor" capabilities, but it's build quality is seriously lacking. The KJ and JK are the last two Chrysler products I'll ever own.....

Broken window regulator history on my 2006 KJ:

- left front... 0
- right front... 1
- left rear... 4
- right rear... 1

Only two were replaced under warranty, the other four broke after the warranty expired.

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Another Update:

I just called Chrysler Customer Care (1-877-426-5337). They gave me a case number and elevated my complaint to a "special resolution" team that is calling my dealer to tell them not to charge me for the current repair, not even the $100.00 for the courtesy warranty deductible they have been charging me in the past.

They also gave me an address and instuctions on how to submit a reimbursement claim for the three previous repairs I paid for. While i don't like having to jump through hoops to resolve poor build quality issues, at least they are taking care of me.

BTW... I was told "anyone" who has a history of broken KJ window regulators is eligible for reimbursement if they have the documentation to submit with their claim.

 

[SUPERD]

That's a bummer but at least there is hope of reimbursement, we replace hundreds of these every year, not just jeeps. Everyone went to these crappy cable drive regulators in the late 90's, not just our jeeps. been getting cheaper designed parts every year since. At least you don't have a late 90's early 2000 grand Cherokee, they discontinued those completely! We have made several non moveable for customers, better than an open hole!
Thanks for the heads up on the Chrysler reimbursement, know several people who should be eligable, good luck on the pay back

 

[AZ Outlaws]

We have made several non moveable for customers, better than an open hole!
Thanks for the heads up on the Chrysler reimbursement,

Yeah, right now I ran a zip tie around the thing to hold it in place. The window stays closed, but for how long? What is your method of securing the window so it doesn't drop. I mentioned to my service writer to do something after they fix the window this time so the rear two windows stay shut.

You're welcome. We'll see how the reimbursement pans out. Also I was told on another forum that once you pay the $100.00 courtesy warranty, the window is supposed to be fixed on Chrysler's nickel from there on out. I'll also see how that works.

 

[SUPERD]

We use those lil aluminum crimp on ferrules for braided cable, lowes carries em, crimp em with a bolt cutter, we just loop to wire around the reg somewhere easy to get to because you will have to cut it off to ever get the window down to repair it correctly.

 

[AZ Outlaws]

^^^^ Thanks.

It will be interesting to see if the dealer will lock both rear windows in the up position for me tomorrow after they repair the bad window....

 

[CT99XJ]

that's the biggest pile of BS I've ever heard. If it's a defect in the part and there's a recall out on it, you don't pay for it. hy are they making you pay for them?

 

[SUPERD]

that's the biggest pile of BS I've ever heard. If it's a defect in the part and there's a recall out on it, you don't pay for it. hy are they making you pay for them?

Don't believe they have a recall on them, just an issue, vw did this when the new beetles came out, those turds dropped glass like clockwork, had an "improved" part which required a new glass, was crap & broke soon again, they kept it quiet & reimbursed a few people who got it covered under the 3/36 warranty

 

[Shaggy]

Wow, I hope this is finally taken care of AZ!

 

[CT99XJ]

Don't believe they have a recall on them, just an issue, vw did this when the new beetles came out, those turds dropped glass like clockwork, had an "improved" part which required a new glass, was crap & broke soon again, they kept it quiet & reimbursed a few people who got it covered under the 3/36 warranty

that would explain it.

for giggles, this made me look at the recalls on my XJ... I was scared.p:

 

[AZ Outlaws]

that's the biggest pile of BS I've ever heard. If it's a defect in the part and there's a recall out on it, you don't pay for it. Why are they making you pay for them?

There has not, and most likely never will be a recall of the KJ window regulator design, therefore the customer pays. It is not considered a safety issue, so the NHTSA has not got involved, and Chrysler has not stepped up and issued a manufacture's recall on a non safety related problem. Some people may argue that a window falling down at highway speed is a hazard, but the NHTSA doesn't.

Chrysler fixes the problem under warranty and leaves it up to the owner to pay for the repair, or fix it in whatever manner they choose if out of warranty. Many pay their dealer $350.00 or so to have the window fixed. Others lock the window closed by various methods rendering the window inoperable.

Some dealers realize the problem and take care of their customers, at least their good ones, to hopefully insure their repeat business. In my case, the dealer fixed two window under warranty and offered me a customer "goodwill" warranty where i paid $100.00 instead of full price on the others. Even with the discounted price I got feed up after the current window is the sixth time one of my windows crashed. The window that broke the other day was fixed a few weeks short of one year.

Chrysler does not advertise their Customer Care program. If people call, are courteous and don't come off as a raging madman, they can ask for customer assistance in obtaining a repair at no charge for ongoing known defect. I did not ask, it was offered to me when I called under the condition that I could back up my claim with a paper trail.

Whatever way you go, it's still BS to have to jump through hoops to get a known problem fixed at no cost. Sadly, it's a fact of life that bean counters still find it cheaper to cut corners leaving you and me to pay for their screw ups. LOL... and then to add insult to injury, our government sees fit to bail them out with our tax dollars.

 

[Dave]

What a PIA. I think that they either changed something/cheapened the window regulator assembly on 06 and possibly 07 model years. I havn't had one break on my 05 KJ yet (knocking on wood here). They get used all the time.

One broke on the Cutlass but that's an 11 year old car. I did a temporary redneck fix on it until I get around to it. It was the passenger side rear one that is never hardly used. The rest are original (car bought new). The 2 front ones that get used all the time are fine. Go figure.

At least Customer Care is working with you on it. But a part that is used all the time should be made better in the first place. (darn bean counters)

Dave

 

[AZ Outlaws]

a part that is used all the time should be made better in the first place.

The sad part is the window doesn't have to be used, they drop on their own. I have never opened the two rear windows.

 

[Dave]

The sad part is the window doesn't have to be used, they drop on their own. I have never opened the two rear windows.

That is really sad...........geeeezzzz

Dave

 

[AZ Outlaws]

GOOD NEWS!! Within the past hour I got a call from Chrysler Customer Care and the dealership where my KJ is getting the window fixed.

Chrysler said they are going to reimburse me the $300.00 I've spent on regulator repairs and there will be no charge for the one being fixed today.

The dealer called and said the KJ is ready... no charge for the repair.

It pays to be a repeat customer and keep a level head when calling in a complaint.

 

[CT99XJ]

It pays to be a repeat customer and keep a level head when calling in a complaint.

X a big fawking 2. I worked in sales for a while with guitars, amps, and sound stuff, and from the other end of the phone, it makes life a LOT easier, and gets you what you need a lot faster, if you're civil on the phone. People who holler and make a stink are simply entertainment for the people who work there. I've been going to the same dealer and the same CarQuest and the same mom/pop parts store for as long as I've been involved with Jeeps and other stuff, and they all know me and do their best to remedy a situation if a part doesn't fit or I get charged for something I shouldn't have.

 

[Dave]

GOOD NEWS!! Within the past hour I got a call from Chrysler Customer Care and the dealership where my KJ is getting the window fixed.

Chrysler said they are going to reimburse me the $300.00 I've spent on regulator repairs and there will be no charge for the one being fixed today.

The dealer called and said the KJ is ready... no charge for the repair.

It pays to be a repeat customer and keep a level head when calling in a complaint.

That is GREAT. Glad to hear that.

Dave

 

[TnRebel]

use these and you will not have to change the glass and they have a lifetime warranty, that is what I am using.

Steiger Performance

 

[Cookbytrade]

Geand Cherokee Laredo

Had same problem with left rear window dropping. Dealer replaced "regulator." PN 23039005

Are you still having this problem?