[thirdmainroad]

Posting on behalf of a very worried friend -

Ilango bought a Jeep Compass Model S (02) 4X4 2.0 AT from VTK Automobiles, Nungambakkam, Chennai paying an on road price of close to 40 L in July 2022 and was initially very happy with the car. In a few months, when the car had done less than 3,000 KM, Ilango started noticing a clanking sound every time he would accelerate when he was in 2nd, 3rd or 4th gear when the RPM was between 1500-2500. When he went back to the dealership - less than 3 months after purchasing the car, they hardly even acknowledged it even after Ilango showed the issue to to their mechanics and and service manager and said it was a minor issue and it would correct itself, and if it persisted, they would look into it when the car was brought in for service.

However, Ilango was not happy with this and took it to an independent garage, who have identified it as a possible Drive Shaft issue, with a lot of play on the Drive Shaft which should not be present. Ilango took a video of this, and went back to dealership. Video below. The dealership again took a test drive, this time on the highway, and not being able to deny the very present clanking while shifting the gears, has told Ilango that it is a common problem in a lot of Jeep Compass 4 X 4 and not to worry about it! When he asked them to show another Compass with the same issue, they were unable to.

Ilango has left the car in the dealership in early December 2022, asking them to rectify the issue and give it back, but they have just parked the car and done nothing to it. Ilango has followed up repeatedly with Jeep and the dealership. When he contacts Jeep, they say that they are looking into it. When he contacts the dealership, they usually say they will call back, or that it is a minor common issue and ask him to take the car back.

You will all agree that this is absolutely unacceptable from the part of Jeep and the dealership. Trying to brush off quite a loud clank as a common problem on a 4 Lakh car, let alone a 40 Lakh car is simply horrendous.

And on top of that, though the car has been in the dealership for over 3 months now, there is absolutely no resolution nor does Jeep seem to care.

Ilango is at his wits end that Jeep won't take up the issue. He also asks anyone here if they have faced a similar clank sound when gears are shifted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9RsrTheqf0

[cool_dube]

While we love bashing our own home-grown players - Tata and Mahindra - for "niggles" in their new launches, I wonder what we have to say about this so called "premium" brand that is only busy making fluffy videos with celebrities, endorsing their products. Neither the company nor the dealers give a damn to quality control or customer satisfaction. For someone who is already paying much more than the vehicle's worth, Jeep buyers in India seem to be a deprived lot, what with innumerable issues with brand new vehicles as well as cold shoulder attitude of its dealers.

I would suggest the buyer in this case to log a complain with consumer court. Such insensitive behaviour should not be tolerated.

[Kosfactor]

The only reason they maybe reluctant to touch that part of the vehicle is if the prop shaft comes attached to some other expensive and difficult to remove assembly.

So if Jeep has to replace the prop shaft and perhaps the rear diff \ haldex unit as a set, it would be quite a bit of work, probably not worth doing to fix an occasional clank!

[thirdmainroad]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

So if Jeep has to replace the prop shaft and perhaps the rear diff \ haldex unit as a set, it would be quite a bit of work, probably not worth doing to fix an occasional clank!

It’s not just an occasional clank, happens all the time when you shift gear. Even if it was an occasional clank, should not a brand new vehicle under warranty have everything that’s causing it replaced irrespective of the work / cost involved?

[SedateGuy]

Originally Posted by thirdmainroad

And on top of that, though the car has been in the dealership for over 3 months now, there is absolutely no resolution nor does Jeep seem to care.

Ilango is at his wits end that Jeep won't take up the issue. He also asks anyone here if they have faced a similar clank sound when gears are shifted.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=j9RsrTheqf0

Must commend Illango for his patience. What exactly is he waiting for so long. I hope he has all this in writing. If not, he should draft a detailed letter and have it delivered to Jeep and the service center and proceed to the consumer forum forthwith.

If it was my car I would do that. 3 months of nothing is a long time

[thirdmainroad]

Repeated emails / letters / calls to Jeep and showroom is not doing anything. Only automated replies are forthcoming.

Consumer court takes years - perhaps Jeep has figured that most of their customers won’t bother with consumer court complaints and is holding customers at ransom.

This case is making my blood boil really. I can’t believe how Jeep is treating it’s customers!!

[AtheK]

Sorry state of affair, but then this has been happening for quite sometime now, I think Compass probably has maximum number of niggle threads on the forum in near future.

We did not even consider it as a potential shortlist when were finalzing our car purchase plan.

[HappyWheels]

Originally Posted by thirdmainroad

...
Ilango is at his wits end that Jeep won't take up the issue. He also asks anyone here if they have faced a similar clank sound when gears are shifted.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=j9RsrTheqf0

Is this only when changing gear or every time that there is acceleration given? Meaning, even in the same gear, when Ilango lets go of the accelerator and then gives acceleration?

Anyone who says this is normal, respectfully, should not be working near anything mechanical.

Hope some basic checks has been done on the driveshaft connecting bolts and what the damages are.

And, as mentioned earlier here - your friend is a very patient person!

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by thirdmainroad

It’s not just an occasional clank, happens all the time when you shift gear. Even if it was an occasional clank, should not a brand new vehicle under warranty have everything that’s causing it replaced irrespective of the work / cost involved?

Ideally yes, but like I mentioned the dealer may be considering it to be too small a problem to start ripping into the underbelly of a new vehicle to fix it. A check up at a different dealer who is more thorough with their approach may help.

[nkrishnap]

A similar issue was present in a Grand Cherokee which is sitting in the dealership fighting for the change of transfer case. Unfortunately nothing much has moved from Jeep's side. Cherokee costs an on road price of around a crore and imagine the owners frustration when it is spent half of its ownership duration at the workshop (4 years of ownership). Jeep would care less for the compass when it dishes out such treatment to its premium product customer.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by thirdmainroad

....

And on top of that, though the car has been in the dealership for over 3 months now, there is absolutely no resolution nor does Jeep seem to care....

Is there no other A$$ in Chennai? I believe these guys don't have the competence to repair and hence not willing to touch the car, which in a way is good. Atleast they will not ruin the car further.

If no other A$$ around, it's probably wise for the person to fix it in a personal garage and continue to use the car and file a consumer court case for compensation. No point in keeping the car in the centre for long periods without resolution, which will deteriorate the car further.

[petrogeek]

Had EXACT issue with my now sold TUV 300 Plus in 2019 when the vehicle was driven for barely 1000 Kms. Took about 3-4 months for the ASC to get it resolved under warranty.


SOLUTION:- Replaced the Balancing Rod. Niggle free since then.

[adwaith]

Originally Posted by thirdmainroad

Consumer court takes years - perhaps Jeep has figured that most of their customers won’t bother with consumer court complaints and is holding customers at ransom.

Ideally it shouldn't take long (A consumers' guide to their rights, duties and remedies).

Companies are tending to become emboldened because we tend to refrain from approach the fora. I see no other way to rein them in.

[Pennant1970]

With all due respect, why in blazes is Mr Ilango sitting on his hands over this matter? I believe (not sure - lawyers help) there is a time limit for respondents to give reply on a complaint in the CC. If Jeep/the dealer doesn't give a valid response, can the plaintiff press for ex-parte relief?

If Mr Ilango has the means to buy a Compass and let it rot at the dealership, I am sure he should be able to get a lawyer's opinion. Get a reply on record at the court, get his vehicle out and repaired with sufficient documentation and let the law take its course.

[raptor_diwan]

It seems like in a few years, Team-BHP will be full of articles and complaints about the Jeep Compass. I remember reading about the problems with this car dating back to 2016, and it appears that there has been no improvement. I'm not sure how they are still surviving in the Indian market.