Carrier/rack problems of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler

Picked up approximately one half cord of wood using my utility trailer, over-drive disabled when pulling trailer. Backed trailer into yard to unload the already seasoned and split wood. Put Jeep into park, engaged the parking brake and left the Jeep to drop the trailer, heard a pop and flames began to shoot out from under the Jeep. I reached into the vehicle to turn off the engine and remove the key. I heard another pop and saw that flames were now shooting into the engine compartment. I ran into my house to get a fire extinguisher, came back out, opened the hood carefully and began to try and extinguish the flame. In order to fully put out the fire it took the fire extinguisher and multiple buckets of water. After the fire was fully extinguished I contacted my insurance carrier.

On February 26, 2015, due to unknown exhaust noise, my 2007 Jeep Wrangler was evaluated by jim at daves automotive in visalia, CA. During this eval. Jim reported both exhaust manifolds (stock) were cracked and emitting exhaust. Additionally jim reported that due to the faulty exhaust manifolds that both were missing bolts which were forced out of their location due to the faulty manifolds. After contacting the dealership lampe Dodge Jeep in visalia, CA they informed me this problem was common and the reason they kept the manifolds in stock. Additionally, in January we had the clock spring in the steering column repaired at lampe and requested they evaluate the door locking mechanism which only worked intermittently. They reported they keep the tipm module in stock to repair this problem which was common in the Jeep Wranglers and other models.

The doors will no longer lock or unlock, at times the locking of the doors is intermittent. We recently had the clock spring repaired at lampe Dodge and then the locks started malfunctioning. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and they called the dealership and were informed that I needed to replace the tipm module. I am researching this out myself due to the dealership reporting this was a common problem that Jeep is ignoring. Additionally I will be filing a report on the 2007 Wrangler exhaust system. The same repair shop was looking into the exhaust noise coming from this vehicle and informed me of two cracked exhaust manifolds. Additionally exhaust manifold 1 was missing 3 bolts and exhaust manifold 2 was missing 2 bolts. At this time the mechanic believed the bolts had been forced out of their location by faulty exhaust manifolds that warped.

While trying to put gas into my 2007 Jeep jk Wrangler unlimited, fuel started to pour out the underside. I took my vehicle to the mechanic and they informed me that a large crack was on the filler neck that is attached to the fuel tank. They also informed me that due to the discoloration of the plastic inlet it has been leaking for a while. Upon removing the tank, they also discovered that the spring inside the nozzle is highly defective. Apparently, the spring is supposed to push back once the fuel tank is full. As a Jeep owner for years I’m extremely angry that an inexpensive part made poorly could of cost the life of my family, friends and anything within range if a fire erupted. Chrysler should recall these defective tanks immediately. I can provide photos of the filler neck and nozzle.

I bought a used 2007 Jeep Wrangler 4-door sahara in March of 2012. About 30 days after the purchase (which is when dealer warranty expired) the vehicle's brakes starting squeaking. I took it to the dealership and they said it was because the brakes were dirty. They "cleaned" the brakes and sent me on my way. The next day the brakes started squeaking again every time I braked. I took it back and they said there was nothing they could do because the brakes were brand new. At this time, the front passenger door also stopped locking correctly. The warranty I had purchased for $2,000 did not cover electronics! a couple months go by and I experienced the popular death wobble after getting an oil change and tire rotation. It turns out the rear trackbar bracket was cracked and eventually completely broke in half. I bought a hevy duty adjustable rear trackbar and had a new bracket welded on which seemed to fix the problem for a few days. Then the death wobble started again. I then took the Jeep to get the tires rotated and balanced and the death wobble started at just 30mph as we were leaving the shop. I took it back and they were dumbfounded as to what the problem was. So they placed the tires back where they were when I took it in and it stopped for a couple more days. Since then I have replaced the front trackbar, steering stabilizer, and shocks, which all seemed to have put it at bay. However, now I have $340-a-piece tires that have been worn out and I have been told I cannot get the allignment fixed until I replace the front ball joints! I paid about $30,000 for this vehicle out of the dealership and have had to put in around $2500 in repairs and upgrades due to poor craftsmanship of this vehicle. On top of that I cannot even drive it with my family for fear of our safety. I have seen many online forums with people having the same exact problem. The dealership won't help me. The manufacturer won't help. Something must be done before a serious injury or death occurs.