Complaint Review: Chrysler Jeep

I recently drove my new 2006 Jeep Commander through some water on the road, during a rain storm. The water reached half way up my tires and then suddenly my car died, as other SUVs drove right on past me.

Turns out my brand new "trail rated" jeep, now has serious engine problems, and I was told I will probably need a new engine.

A representative from Chrysler came to inspect my Jeep Commander and said it was not covered under warranty because there was water in the air box.

If you look at the Jeep web site you will note that they brag about their Jeeps being "trail rated". Trail rated vehicles per their web site means, "that their vehicles have been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five consumer-oriented performance categories: Traction, Ground Clearance,Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording." You will note on their website there are "water fording" videos, of jeeps driving, nearly submerged, through water. My Jeep must be "trail rated" for bicycle trails only, because I didn't go through water any where near that deep.

I was told that the air intake on the 2006 Jeep Commander is near the bottom of the front bumper. Sort of a ridiculous place to put it on a vehicle built to drive through river beds.

I have tried to start a dialogue with Chrysler Jeep regaurding this matter, and all they keep telling me is that, it is not covered under warranty because it was not manufacturer defect, it was my fault for driving through the puddle. Silly me, driving a JEEP through a puddle, what was I thinking?

Paula
Lombard, Illinois
U.S.A.