Transfer Case problems of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler

At 2 mph in 2h and 1st gear of manual transmission, drove onto a wet grassy area and engaged the transfer case into 4h. After 150 feet at 3 mph and vehicle rolling, I depressed clutch and shifted transfer case into 4l. Made u-turn and crept at 2 mph. Moving forward, depressed clutch, let off gas and shifted transfer case into 4h, drove to the edge of street and stopped. With foot on brake, and clutch depressed, I shifted the transfer case into 2h position but heard snapping sound and the lever went loose. Taking hold of the lever, I found it flopped freely forward and back. Manual transmission was in first gear, but when I let the clutch up, the vehicle didn’t move. Moved the gearshift to neutral and back into 1st gear. Released the clutch but the vehicle didn’t move. Turned vehicle off, engaged parking brake, and inspected underneath. Nothing hanging from the transmission or transfer case. Depressed clutch, put gearshift lever in neutral and started. Put the gearshift lever into 1st, but when I let up on clutch, the vehicle did not move. I released the clutch with gearshift lever in 1st and released the parking brake. The vehicle rolled backward into the swale. Vehicle towed to Jeep dealership. Invoice states, "customer states while shifting veh. Into 4h something snapped and now veh. Won't go into gear at all. Tech found transfer case shift cable broken at both ends. Completed removal & replacement of transfer case shift cable. ” my concern is this could happen when someone shifts into 4h while driving on a wet, slippery road surface up to 50 mph. The vehicle would quickly loose forward momentum, coasting to a stop, and possibly be struck from behind.

Shifting the 4-wheel drive transfer case (tc) from 2hi to 4hi or 4low (or in reverse order) can cause the transfer case shifting cable (tcsc) (mopar part 52060462ag) to fail and become disconnected from either the tc or the shift lever in the cab (or both). The partã‚s plastic components are inherently too weak to withstand normal use. Safety risks which can arise upon component failure, if the vehicle owner and their family (children) are at a location and/or terrain where the vehicle is designed/marketed for travel (whether by recreation or necessity), and the location/terrain (I) subject to inclement weather (e. G. Snow, ice, flooding, extreme heat); or (ii) on an extreme incline which is unsafe to negotiate without 4wd; or (iii) any circumstance which requires 4wd to navigate to a safe location; or (iv) the tcsc fails when the tc becomes stuck in the neutral position while shifting, and is unable to escape impending harm (flash flood) . . . There is obvious risk to life/safety. The owner has a right to rely on the components and reasonable safety performance for which the product is designed/marketed. Jeep is aware of the issue, and the manual fails to cite this as a possible catastrophic event, leaving the unsuspecting owner at a loss in an emergency situation. It is not reasonable for this component to fail within a few thousand miles as reported by Jeep owners. . Read more...

The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The contact was driving 40 mph when the steering wheel started to shake uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the steering damper seal was fractured. The dealer replaced the steering damper seal and the manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. Updated 02/22/12 the transfer case shift control cable was also replaced. Updated 02/23/12.