Grand Cherokee's Leather Dashboard Delaminates and Wrinkles
The Overland trim is for anyone who wants to combine the 4x4 ability of a Jeep with an interior that's usually only found in SUVs missing both sport and utility.
One of the major upgrades for this trim level is the leather dashboard. At first, it's a striking upgrade. But given time the only thing that's striking about the dash is how it becomes more wrinkled than Peepaw's skin.
Problems start bubbling up between 45,000 and 60,000 miles, just out of the warranty period. And once the delmaination starts, peeling, warps, and wrinkles will only get worse.
Fiat-Chrysler's Reponse? No Response. ∞
A lot of owners are being told by Jeep dealerships that they've never seen this problem. Really? It's hard to believe considering the widespread complaints online.
The reason I paid the upcharge for the Overland was the luxury feel of the interior including the dashboard.The problem is getting worse by the week. I took it to the Dealer who said they had never seen this issue before. I checked on the internet and this design problem is rampant.
The corporate offices at Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) blame the problem on environmental factors that are out of their control. I dare you to try and not throw your phone when they say you should use a dash cover when parking outside.
FCA US is aware of some dashboard complaints that are generally isolated to older vehicles outside of the warranty period. There are a variety of environmental factors which may impact the performance of the dashboard. The company is not aware of any reported injuries related to wrinkled dashboards. As with all out-of-warranty customer claims, FCA reviews each case on an individual basis with the goal of satisfying our customer.
An Expensive Repair ∞
So FCA won't cover the problem because it's out of warranty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) won't investigate the problem because it doesn't pose a "safety" risk. So what's left for owners?
A big repair bill, unfortunately. The dash itself will probably run you around $1100 and that doesn't include the labor involved.
It's hard to imagine FCA's strategy here. Letting your highest paying customers drive around in a mobile billboard that shows off what Jeep quality really looks like? That's a bad look.
Surging Complaints on CarComplaints.com ∞
| Model | Year | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee | 2011 | Leather dashboard is bubbling / wrinkling up |
| 2012 | Leather dashboard has delaminated | |
| 2013 | Leather dashboard melting, wrinkling | |
| 2014 | Leather bubbling on dashboard |
Generations Where This Problem Has Been Reported
This problem has popped up in the following Jeep generations.
Most years within a generation share the same parts and manufacturing process. You can also expect them to share the same problems. So while it may not be a problem in every year yet, it's worth looking out for.
4th Generation Grand Cherokee
- Years
- 2011–2021
- Reliability
- 18th out of 18
- PainRank™
- 44.96
- Complaints
- 1951
What Owners Say About This Problem
Leather dash started bubbling 2 years after purchasing new, dealer would not do anything because it was not severe enough and I was told the same thing by two different Jeep dealers several times over the next couple years. It continued to get worse and is now beginning to cause air flow issues with defroster.
I'm simply another Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland owner with this same leather dashboard problem. Purchased vehicle used (no sign of problem at that time), once issue occurred, Jeep dealer I had servicing vehicle suggested contacting Customer Care...which proved worthless since vehicle was out of warranty period (should be renamed Customer CareLESS)