[Undercow]

DEF seems to be coming up quite a bit in the jeep forums. Unfortunately I have a problem with it too.

Story time:

My JGC has 17k miles on it. Recently I purchased 5 gallons of Peak blue DEF from auto zone and put it in the DEF tank. After about 5 miles of driving I got the message that I used the wrong fluid. Now how could I have put the wrong fluid in I thought...It is the same fluid that I have used all along Even when I had to fill the tank from empty when I bought the vehicle new.

So my trip to the dealership starts and my adventure begins:

The first thing they did was test the fluid. It came out at 35% with their tools which is high for the industry standard of 32%(+/- 1%). This apparently caused so much crystallization in the system that I had to have a new pump, injector, hose and a thorough DEF tank scrub all after less than 2 hrs of driving with the "bad fluid" in the tank. I was told that it was my fault for using bad fluid and that nothing would be covered under warranty.

So I contacted Peak Blue and asked for their batch testing results. They came back stating that the fluid is 2 weeks old and their fluid is at 31.3% and that there is no way that it could have gone up that high in that short amount of time.

Chrysler care was next, I provided the testing info and documentation supporting injectors going bad and catalytic converter problems as root cause from multiple sources even chrysler certified repair dealerships. Chrysler came back and said "the dealership has tested the fluid and you are still liable for repairs".

So $2900 later I have my jeep back. I am still in shock as to how this isnt covered especially since it is a known problem and many of you have had the same thing happen but it was a warranty repair.

So what to do now? I am at a loss and really need some support.

 

[John Leinaweaver]

Write to your states attorney general's office outlining what took place. Write whatever consumer advocates you can find (like Clark Howard). Be sure to copy the service manager and dealership owner.

See if the owners manual provides any corporate contacts.

Basically make a lot of noise and make sure the dealership knows.

I've heard of people standing outside of dealerships with a protest sign handing out flyers telling their experience. But be careful doing that, make sure you are factual and can back up the claims.

But I would at least write the State government offices who oversee corporations and consumer affairs, cc'ing the dealership. Plus call cChrysler corporate offices.

 

[PatFisher]

Ok I've been following this quite closely and hoped more people commented on it... I'm honestly scared shitless to get anything other than the Mopar branded DEF for fear of running into this exact issue with Jeep giving me the middle finger should such an issue come from using aftermarket DEF. Do you think it's just a once in a lifetime chance of getting bad DEF or do you think using the factory stuff is the better option?

 

[Colliewood]

I don't drive a lot of miles so I'm concerned about keeping a full tank an have it go stale. I'll probably add 2.5 gallons when I hit 20% to keep it fresh and consider it full.

If you go non-mopar then make sure you check the date and make sure it is the manufacture date and not some date on an I nventory sticker on the box.

For me, I'll probably go with mopar just so if there is a problem, they sold it to me and can't blame a 3rd party.

 

[granite]

I don't drive a lot of miles so I'm concerned about keeping a full tank an have it go stale. I'll probably add 2.5 gallons when I hit 20% to keep it fresh and consider it full.

If you go non-mopar then make sure you check the date and make sure it is the manufacture date and not some date on an I nventory sticker on the box.

For me, I'll probably go with mopar just so if there is a problem, they sold it to me and can't blame a 3rd party.

I was at the dealer with the regular issues all have been seeing. The tech checked my "DEF" ( BLUE DEF brand ) with the refractometer at the nozzle. It was perfect as perfect gets. So the blame continues onto JEEP engineering.

 

[Jackie]

Well I bought my 2914 jeep in May 2014 and my engine light came on in november and said incorrect DEF fluid see dealer I took it to the dealer twice and they couldn't find anything wrong so December 8th I took it to another place and they have had it ever since, first they changed the injector and they took it for a test drive and guess what?... yep the engine light came on again NOW they ordered a catalytic converter, first it was coming from Red deer and now its on back order, that was 3 weeks ago!!!!! I am so frustrated, I am a woman and I am so upset, you pay so much money for a vehicle and they dont even know how to fix it or care!! Does anyone have any ideas?..

 

[Jackie]

I kmow how you feel, my vehicle has the same problem only I havent got mine back yet, it has been in the shop since Dec 8, you pay that much for a vehicle and then just get kicked to the curb! Read my story I just posted it!!

 

[PatFisher]

Good lord....Oh, and I called my local dealership....$9.40/gallon for mopar branded DEF. FML.

 

[Casper2]

I have used other brands in the past but I think from now on I'm going to stick with Mopar.... Not that I think it's different or better.... I just don't see how there could be enough savings to make fighting an issue that has the potential of costing me thousands of dollars.

 

[Colliewood]

I have used other brands in the past but I think from now on I'm going to stick with Mopar.... Not that I think it's different or better.... I just don't see how there could be enough savings to make fighting an issue that has the potential of costing me thousands of dollars.

Mopar costs more which is BS. But if you did have an issue, what's the dealer gonna say - their DEF broke it. Just keep the receipt and the container for a period of time until you buy the next batch.

 

[Casper2]

But I do have issues....... and until I have them all resolved the only thing I am putting in is diesel.

 

[PatFisher]

Well....you'll all love this. I called Jeep corporate on Thursday to get their reasoning as to why I can't use aftermarket DEF. She said that it's because of stricter storage rules and a better quality DEF...all BS to me. So, after I hung up the phone (pissed off mind you) I called my local dealership and they had MOPAR brand DEF in stock, so yesterday went down and bought 2 1 gallon jugs. Came out to around $20. I had about a quarter and change left in the tank, and with the 2 gallons added, it brought my total up to around a half tank. Drove it around just fine. Now, fast forward about 18 hours to this morning when I was leaving my gf's house to drive home (about a 30 min. drive...highway speeds, etc)... I'm about 10 minutes from my house when the "Incorrect DEF detected" message came on. I was floored. So, I called the dealership and their parts/service dept's are closed on the weekends but the GM took my issue down and my info, and asked me to call back on Monday. I also called Jeep corp. again and spoke with a very friendly lady who was very apologetic and took all my info down and gave me a case number. Also assured me that if there is a long term issue that'd be given a no-cost loaner till my jeep was fixed. I have my receipt and the 2 jugs, so I'll come armed on Monday with that when I return to the dealer. Now, of note on the jugs....

Nowhere on those DEF jugs does it give the ISO 22241 rating and I can't see a manufacture date. Odd.

I really like my jeep, but this is complete BS. More to follow as I get more info.

 

[Brewster]

Yes- I only did one fill- and it ONLY SAYS TO USE DEF THAT MEETS ISO 22241 STANDARD in the manual --- not exclusively 'MOPAR DEF'. As I posted previously I used the Valvoline product- and have not had any issue with it. This is ripe for a 'class action' if Chrylser does not meet warranty responsibilities. Looks like best 'defense' is to use 'MOPAR DEF' and let them cover any losses. ( ! Keep your receipts !- even for diesel fill-ups in case you should get 'contaminated fuel').

 

[PatFisher]

Dropped my JGC off at the dealership today...got a no-cost loaner after calling corporate. Gave them the receipt for the purchase and the 2 1 gallon jugs of MOPAR DEF I filled the tank with. We'll see what happens this week.

 

[PatFisher]

Update:

Got my JGC back later on that day...all it needed was a "reflash" of the PCM. I looked at the service rep like he was mentally stupid, but worked out a slight smile, thanked him and went on my way. Sure enough, the Jeep was fine. No more lights, no more alerts. Went back home and parked it.
Now on to Tuesday. Drove it to work just fine and drove it home just fine. Tuesdays, though, I travel about 20 miles to have dinner with my girlfriend. The trip there went just fine. Now on the drive home is where things got interesting. About 15 minutes into the 30 minute trip, I got the more severe message that included the 200 mile countdown. Drove normally for the rest of the way home after that message popped because the jeep handled and sounded normal. When the counter got down to 190, it seemed to stall there, then all of a sudden the message went away. Nothing. Now, keep in mind that I never received the "check engine light" with this most recent message....I did on the issue I had a few days ago. Needless to say I still called jeep and had them document what had happened.
This morning when I drove to work? Nothing. No messages...lights...anything.

Should I take it in? I really don't have the time to do it today, but this damn jeep has me on edge. Appreciate anyone's thoughts on this stupid issue. Thanks.

 

[Skitime]

I've used BlueDEF since when my Jeep was brand new it came only a qtr full. Blue meets the required minimum and some have stated on Amazon.com that it's actually better quality or equal, I'm no expert so I can not vouch other than my own experience. That said, my Jeep just came back from having the fuel line replaced (it had been cracked since day one but it took 5 visits for 2 separate Jeep service departments to find the issue which was 8300 miles. After the repair there is no some noxious fumes entering the cabin when on long highway trips that starts off smelling like a campfire and varies from that type of smell to electrical fire. The fumes actually have burned my eyes and forced me to the side of the road in coughing fits and very dizzy. I'm 1000 miles from home now and will either have to drive home with a full fledge gas mask on or trade the car for something new, since none of the Jeep dealerships in the area I am in can look at the JGC for another week even with Chrysler Corp. trying to get it in to be looked at. Seems Chrysler would rather see me killed off vs. fixing or replacing this 58K lemon they sold me. Totally beside myself, full transmission replacement, Transmission Pump Case replacement, Cracked Fuel Line, Multiple Recalls and softweare updates and noxious fumes all within the first 8000K miles of this vehicle's life. Will Chrysler replace it? Nope. Will the dealership do a fair trade for a new replacement? Nope. Is this Brand totally screwing itself in this consumers eyes, yup.