2007 Jeep Wrangler Recalled

Chrysler said it was recalling more than 80,000 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro sport-utility vehicles to correct a problem that could make the engine stall, The Associated Press reported.

Chrysler said the recalled vehicles might experience a power interruption, which could lead to a short engine stall (although the engine would immediately restart if the vehicle was in motion).

To affect a fix, dealers will reprogram a power module to remove the potential for a brief interruption of electrical power to the instrument panel and the engine.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the Wrangler last May after receiving reports of engine stalling. Chrysler said the agency has received about 180 complaints of engine stalling in Wrangler and Nitro vehicles.

There has been one accident linked to the issue, the company said, but no injuries have been reported. Chrysler will notify owners about the recall later this week and the work will be completed at no cost to consumers, the AP said.

Soaring Wrangler Sales Anchor Slumping Jeep Division

DETROIT (AP) -- Apparently, the Jeep Wrangler is rugged -- and capable of hauling an entire division out of the swamp.

The popular two- and four-door sport utility is coming off its best-ever May while buoying a slumping Jeep division beset by declining sales.

According to Autodata Corp., Jeep sold 12,332 Wranglers in May, up 114 percent compared to the same month last year. For the year, 54,699 Wranglers have been sold, an 85 percent increase compared to last year.

Strong Wrangler sales also helped fuel an overall 20 percent May sales increase for Jeep and a 12 percent year-to-date increase compared to last year.

"The Jeep Wrangler is the icon of the brand," said Chrysler Group spokesman Markus Mainka, adding that no incentives have been offered since the vehicle was redesigned and released last September from a retooled Ohio plant.

Based on Autodata figures, the Wrangler accounted for about 29 percent of Jeep's total May vehicle sales and 27 percent of the division's 2007 sales to date. Wrangler's strong showing last month also boosted the Chrysler Group division's market share of U.S. light vehicles from 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent last month.

For 2007, Jeep's market share increased from 2.6 percent to 3.0 percent.

Industry analyst Alex Rosten said redesigning the Wrangler was the key to Jeep's recent success.

"Now they can't make enough of them," said Rosten, an analyst for EdmundsObserver.com. "It's always better to expand existing product lines than create a new one."

But the Wrangler's success contrasts with slumping sales for other Jeep products.

According to Autodata, every other Jeep vehicle for which comparative statistics were available posted negative marks, led by the Liberty's 39 percent sales decline compared with May 2006, and its 28 percent year-to-date decline compared to last year.

Grand Cherokee sales fell 18 percent in May and 20 percent for the year to date, while Jeep Commander sales fell 9.7 percent in May and 10 percent so far this year.

According to Jeep officials, May sales for the Compass totaled 3,735, while 4,505 Patriots were sold. In 2007, Jeep has sold 18,812 Compass models and 10,336 Patriots. Both vehicles are in their first year of production.

"We develop each vehicle to appeal to a different kind of customer," said Chrysler spokesman Dan Bodene.

He said introducing the Compass and Patriot was an attempt to enter new markets by leveraging the company's recognizable nameplate. Bodene said Jeep will work harder to deliver the message about its core products and may offer new incentives.

Rosten said that might not be enough. He said the Grand Cherokee is "too old," while new models like the Compass and Patriot are "too redundant."

"Jeep has shot itself in the foot by releasing the Patriot and the Compass," he said. "By doing so, they have cannibalized other products, like the Liberty."

On Tuesday, Jeep canceled its scheduled announcement of a new advertising campaign developed by Cutwater, a San Francisco-based advertising agency. Chrysler officials said the postponement until later this week was due to a scheduling conflict and had nothing to do with recently released sales numbers.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Brabus Review

Legends are immortal and in the automotive world that is especially true for the Jeep. Wrangler, the 'mother' of all off-road vehicles. To customize the latest version of the American 4x4 and to make it even more exclusive STARTECH is developing an innovative and exclusive accessories program - for the short wheelbase and the new long wheelbase version.

In a first step STARTECH offers custom-tailored light-alloy wheels, some initial exterior modifications and exclusive interior options.

The polished STARTECH Monostar IV 9Jx20 light-alloy wheels attract attention at first sight. The striking five-spoke wheels lend the new Jeep. Wrangler a more exclusive appearance. But that's not all: Mounted with sporty on- and off-road tires in size 285/50 R 20 front and back they give the SUV even more agile handling characteristics while at the same time improving driving safety.


While the STARTECH design program for the new Wrangler is still under development, the first stainless-steel components will be available shortly. Sturdy tubular side guards for short and long wheelbase models protect the rocker panels of the Jeep and partially hide the Jeep's frame from view. The spare wheel cover with high-gloss stainless-steel ring adds the finishing touch.

The new Wrangler generation for the first time includes a model with diesel engine. The STARTECH motor engineers are currently developing the STARTECH SD 4T tuning module for the 2.8-liter (171 cu. in.) common-rail turbodiesel engine.

STARTECH sport exhausts will soon be available for all engine and body variants of the Jeep. The fully stainless-steel exhausts feature one characteristic oval chrome tailpipe each on the right and left, and produce a more sonorous engine sound, while at the same time optimizing power yield.

The interior of the Jeep can also be upgraded stylishly with STARTECH accessories: Highly polished scuff plates welcome driver and passengers, and the ergonomically shaped STARTECH sport steering wheel adds to the ambiance.

Additional customization requests can be fulfilled by the company-own STARTECH upholstery shop. Partial and fully leather interiors made from especially soft yet durable Mastik leather satisfy even the most discriminating tastes.

Discuss this in the MoJeepin.com Forums!

2007 Jeep Wranglers Under Investigation

DaimlerChrysler AG's 2007 Jeep Wrangler sport utility vehicles are being investigated by a U.S. safety agency after reports of engine stalling at highway speeds, Bloomberg News reported.

The probe may affect 35,000 vehicles, including two- and four-door models in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site. The agency said 53 complaints mostly involved highway speeds and included 12 cases with a loss of electrical power and lighting.

Have you had a similar problem with your 2007 Jeep Wrangler? If so, please make sure and get your Jeep to the dealership for service! Discuss this in the MoJeepin Forums.

Jeep Wrangler Ultimate: SEMA Concept 2

Not only will the Jeep JT be revealed at the 2007 SEMA show later this year, but so will the Jeep Wrangler Ultimate. Not that the new four-door Wrangler Limited needs any more exposure (demand is currently outsripping supply for the popular configuration), but the Wrangler Limited takes that vehicle and adds some urban flair to make it more eye-catching to the valet crowd.

The Wrangler Ultimate gets the same rock-crawling hardware showcased on the JT Concept, which includes a 3-inch lift kit and 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, but also gets a set of handsome forged 18-inch aluminum wheels from Alcoa. The Jeep design team decided to dump the entire Mopar catalogue of accessories on the Wrangler Ultimate's exterior, which gets some fancy sparkle and shine from ts chrome fuel filler door, taillamp guards, tubular side steps, exterior mirrors, tow hooks, door handles, hood hinges, and overlays for the front fascia. The Liquid Charcoal Pearl Coat exterior paint color is not available from the factory, either.

The Wrangler Ultimate's interior also gets the show car treatment with seats upholstered in a mesh fabric and trimmed in dark slate gary Nappa/Province leather bound with a heavy black leather baseball stitch. There are additional orange trim pieces on the steering wheel, shift knob and passenger handlebar, while the floor shifter appears to have a wooden trim piece, as well. Again, don't expect the Wrangler Ultimate to be an option package anytime soon, but at least Jeep has proven that you can dress up its weekend warrior.

[Source: Jeep]

For more discussion and photos of the Jeep Wrangler Ultimate, be sure to check out the MoJeepin.com Forums!

"It's More Then Just Jeepin!"

Jeep JT Planned For SEMA Debut In November

Chrysler's Skunkwerks is really nothing more than a bunch of folks who use their spare time to make the kinds of vehicles they'd really like to build. That makes them just like a lot of us -- except that they have the full resources of Chrysler to pull from. One of their latest creations is the Jeep Wrangler JT, which is the Jeep pickup we've all been dreaming of. Built on a Wrangler Unlimited platform, keeps the Wrangler's engine and suspension, and adds a 5-foot bed, a 3-inch lift, a winch, and 35-inch tires. It will be making an appearance at SEMA later this year.

Autoblog got to drive it (around the parking lot), along with a few other cars sprung from the minds of Chrysler's gearheads. Look for a report and pics of the JT in Moab soon. And if you're wondering just what color that JT is, it's called Hearing Aid Beige.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Jeep Sales Up 29%

From a Chrysler Group press release.

Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited posted sales of 10,776 units, up 75 percent compared to April 2006 with 6,154 units. The Jeep Patriot continued to gain momentum and finished April with sales of 2,904 units, up 38 percent from March 2007. The vehicle is one of Chrysler Group's recently introduced fuel- efficient offerings that achieve 30 miles per gallon or better in highway driving.

Earthroamer XV-JP Interior Pics

We recently posted some news about the new EarthRoamer XV-JP, the sweet new camper design that encompasses a tent and all sorts of goodies. While we only had info on the exterior of the Jeep, we have now seen the interior pictures, and all we have to say is WOW! These guys are slick. They packed more into the back of a Jeep then we could ever imagine.

While you will find one picture below, make sure and check out all the pics! If anyone ends up getting this handy camper for their new JK, please let us know!

EarthRoamer Announces XV-JP: Wrangler Expedition Vehicle

Earlier today, EarthRoamer announced plans to produce the XV-JP: Wrangler Expedition Vehicle. There is little information found about it, but as you can tell from the picture, its almost a Gladiator with a camper. Here is all the current information we know at this point.

EarthRoamer is proud to announce the EarthRoamer XV-JP! Built on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited platform, the new EarthRoamer XV-JP combines Jeep's legendary off road capability with innovative EarthRoamer design to create a vehicle with unprecedented capability.

More information about EarthRoamer vehicles can be found here

Wanna JK? Get On The List!

The DCX crew didn't anticipate the strong reception that the Jeep Unlimited would be granted when it was released earlier this year. The four-door Wrangler's popularity has put Chrysler in the enviable position of not being able to keep supply up to meet the demand, especially when said off-roader is equipped with the FreedomTop and MyGIG entertainment system.

According to a statement from the Product Communications rep, D.W. Bodene, "We're building new Wranglers as fast as we can, but it's a vehicle whose popularity exceeded our expectations." He goes on to point out that Wrangler sales were up in February by 63 percent and by 124 percent in January.

We're not quite sure what the rest of you are seeing on Jeep lots, but the few Wrangler Unlimiteds we've spied haven't been hanging around for long and the dealers are tacking on a markup accordingly.

[Source: Straightline]

Chrysler Recalls 50,000 Vehicles

AutoWeek is reporting that Chrysler Group is recalling more than 50,000 2007 cars and SUVs due to faulty anti-lock brake software. Included in the recall are: 2007 Jeep Wrangler, Compass, Patriot, Commander, Liberty and Grand Cherokee.

The specific vehicles were built in late 2006, so not every 2007 model needs to be serviced. The problem “could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning” according to a company warning.

This follows a recall last week of more than 86,000 2006 Dodge Ram pickups for faulty front-wheel bearings. The problem would present itself with noise and vibration and, if ignored, could cause the wheel to simply fall off, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control and a crash.

You can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403 regarding either recall.