TFL broke a Hornet!?

7427 Views 104 Replies 34 Participants Last post by Rob Johnson JR, 7 d ago

npaladin2000

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Looks like when TFL did their 3 wheel slip test the Hornet GT didn't like it. Not a good sign at all.

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gforce2002

· #41 · 2 mo ago

Erik Latranyi said:
Enough excuses!

Why is the first reaction by some to always give this company a pass?

Do you all know that these vehicles have been on the ground it the US since January?

What was the Dodge team doing ? Taking selfies?

How many times do we see delay after delay of product only to hear the same chorus (they are taking time to get it right)? That chorus has so much egg on their face that they are drowning in it! ...and eggs are damn expensive!

Thank God this is the last FCA derived product (other then the Maserati Folgores). I had hoped they could pull off one vehicle launch without problems, but they could not even do that.

If they actually knew of this problem and did not fix it, then they deserve to shut down.

If they are lying and did not know about this problem and just use the "software patch" bull-poopies again to buy them time, then they deserve to shut down.

After the constant problems with the Pacifica PHEV and other software/hardware problems with the 4xe, you would think they would have these things dialed-in......and it is not even the hybrid!!!!

I am ranting. It is 100% inexcusable to give this vehicle to the press.

They actually say at the end of the video that Dodge said this was a known problem and there was indeed a software patch to fix it. If they kept sending out press cars knowing this, which appears to be the case, someone does need a boot to the pants.

Reactions: 5

Donte Lindsey

· #42 · 2 mo ago

gforce2002 said:
They actually say at the end of the video that Dodge said this was a known problem and there was indeed a software patch to fix it. If they kept sending out press cars knowing this, which appears to be the case, someone does need a boot to the pants.

Tim or whomever is running the brand should be scolded for letting a car with a known flaw out to reviewers that already expect it to be a POS.

Reactions: 3

tomaz

· #43 · 2 mo ago

IF it has no Sunroof, its a preproduction unit.

Zagnut27

· #44 · 2 mo ago

I’m not making excuses for them. It’s a bad look, but it’s an issue with a single vehicle. If it ends up affecting more, and is representative of a larger issue, then start the bashing. Until then, it’s just one.

Reactions: 5

tomit

· #45 · 2 mo ago

www.carexpert.com.au

SUV off-road test: Top 12 medium SUVs compared, with video

We get a dozen of the top-selling SUVs in the country a little muddy, to see just how capable they actually can be off the beaten trail.

www.carexpert.com.au

Start at 6:44. Compass drive train gives up. Not good. Jeeps based on low-end Italian architecture are not very good, IMHO.

Reactions: 3

77 Monaco Brougham

· #46 · 2 mo ago

Erik Latranyi said:
Thank God this is the last FCA derived product (other then the Maserati Folgores). I had hoped they could pull off one vehicle launch without problems, but they could not even do that.

Well, you've just partially answered a question that's been floating around in my mind for a while, so I might as well ask for the rest of the answer.
Do you have any info (inside or otherwise)......until we start seeing fresh product which are NOT leftovers from the former FCA?

To rephrase in a more light-hearted way.........When does Ma STLA finally start giving birth to her own children?

Reactions: 2

WJR

· #47 · 2 mo ago

Erik Latranyi said:
There is ZERO excuse for this failure.

As I stated, the Compass has a similar AWD setup and that is reliable.

TFL has done this test on everything from Volvos to Fords and Subaru. Nobody broke down like this.

This from the company that engineers off-road Jeeps. No wonder Bronco Sport Badlands performs better off-road than the Compass Trailhawk.

The over focus on margins has resulted in the company taking its eyes off the ball.

If I were Tavares, there would be some unemployed people today.

Since this is an Alfa Romeo Tonale with a few sheet metal changes, cheaper seats etc. all these "little" bugs would have been fixed. And the factory reps telling me to ignore the warning buzzer and lights til theycan get a software flash released doesn't exactly instill a lot of confidence for any lengthy highway travel, either. I have a 2002 Durango that runs good, everything works except the check engine light stays on. The codes say its someplace in the vapor return system and nobody has been able to find it or fix it in 20 years. I used to take it in every 3 months or sio and have it checked to make sure there wasn't anything else until a certified mecahnic told me to get a cheap scanner, check it occasionally and then turn the light off. However for a $45,000-$55,000 new vehicle I'm not sure I would be anxious to do that. And would Stellantis replace any major part that failed because I followed their instructions to ignore them (the warning lights)? No, I have to agree that the death bells are tolling fo Dodge and probably Chrysler at this point. I have always owned Chrysler products since before I got my drivers license and at my age I won't, (can't afford to buy any brand, new or used.

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Reactions: 2

WJR

· #48 · 2 mo ago

ironpony said:
so why is it assumed that is bad as opposed too good. The others didn't light up and you are tearing the differentials apart.
The Hornet lit a up and said hey you are over doing it a little. I am not a heavy duty 4WD i am an AWD for your safety.

Overdoing it a little? They have it on rollers spinng the wheels at a very low speed. I may be extra hard on my vehicle, 40 to 50 percent off-road, but I surely don't think they were over doing it.

Reactions: 2

WJR

· #49 · 2 mo ago

77 Monaco Brougham said:
Well, you've just partially answered a question that's been floating around in my mind for a while, so I might as well ask for the rest of the answer.
Do you have any info (inside or otherwise)......until we start seeing fresh product which are NOT leftovers from the former FCA?

To rephrase in a more light-hearted way.........When does Ma STLA finally start giving birth to her own children?

I think she had her tubes tied a few years back............

Reactions: 3

hmk123

· #50 · 2 mo ago

Morale of the story: buy a Chrysler Pacifica AWD. If I recall correctly it did ok in that TFL test, has more room and probably a more comfortable ride.

And who wouldn’t chose a proven Pentastar engine…

Am sure this made TFL’s day for having an easy headline.

Reactions: 5

82cordoba

· #51 · 2 mo ago

aldo90731 said:
This is not good at all. Dodge already had an uphill battle with this vehicle without the negative publicity.

This could very well spell the end of Dodge...with Charger, Challenger and Durango already at the end of production.

Move over Fiat USA...

I get what you are trying to say, but Durango is NOT ending production. Kuniskis just said in an interview it's continuing for foreseeable future, with v8 engine.

Reactions: 3

Rob Johnson JR

· #52 · 2 mo ago

WJR said:
Since this is an Alfa Romeo Tonale with a few sheet metal changes, cheaper seats etc. all these "little" bugs would have been fixed. And the factory reps telling me to ignore the warning buzzer and lights til theycan get a software flash released doesn't exactly instill a lot of confidence for any lengthy highway travel, either. I have a 2002 Durango that runs good, everything works except the check engine light stays on. The codes say its someplace in the vapor return system and nobody has been able to find it or fix it in 20 years. I used to take it in every 3 months or sio and have it checked to make sure there wasn't anything else until a certified mecahnic told me to get a cheap scanner, check it occasionally and then turn the light off. However for a $45,000-$55,000 new vehicle I'm not sure I would be anxious to do that. And would Stellantis replace any major part that failed because I followed their instructions to ignore them (the warning lights)? No, I have to agree that the death bells are tolling fo Dodge and probably Chrysler at this point. I have always owned Chrysler products since before I got my drivers license and at my age I won't, (can't afford to buy any brand, new or used.

You are lucky you dont live in CA like I do. Older cars and trucks are required to get a smog check every year. If the CEL light is on, they wont even test it, it is an automatic fail.

Reactions: 1

Gerry G

· #53 · 2 mo ago

WJR said:
They have it on rollers spinning the wheels at a very low speed.

Check out the video again. When the vehicle did not slow roll forward, they pushed the loud petal quite a bit and got the wheels spinning quite fast which was when the light show began. Not the recommended method of getting unstuck, but unfortunately though, that would be the typical reaction of most motorists.

So while the TFL dudes were looking to beak it and create headlines, this behavior does mimic the real world.

npaladin2000

Discussion Starter · #54 · 2 mo ago

Gerry G said:
Check out the video again. When the vehicle did not slow roll forward, they pushed the loud petal quite a bit and got the wheels spinning quite fast which was when the light show began. Not the recommended method of getting unstuck, but unfortunately though, that would be the typical reaction of most motorists.

That's not what happened. If you look at BOTH sets of wheels, you'll notice the rear wheels stopped spinning when the front ones accellerated. At first I though the transfer to the rear wheels had broken, pushing all the power to the front. What you saw was effect, not cause. Power stopped being split between both axles and went entirely to the front.

Reactions: 1

serpens

· #55 · 2 mo ago

77 Monaco Brougham said:
Well, you've just partially answered a question that's been floating around in my mind for a while, so I might as well ask for the rest of the answer.
Do you have any info (inside or otherwise)......until we start seeing fresh product which are NOT leftovers from the former FCA?

To rephrase in a more light-hearted way.........When does Ma STLA finally start giving birth to her own children?

I think that has been made quite clear at this point, no? Car development takes 3-4 years on the speedy end. Stellantis took over January 2021. We saw the Tonale completely uncovered in 2019 and outside of the Hornet twin, no spy pics of anything besides the RAM REV which we know debuts STLA Frame. Everything brand new from here on out is a Stellantis effort outside of some yet to arrive Maserati launches. And those Maseratis will still benefit from Stellantis technology even if though they're on the Giorgio platform. There are vehicles still to come out on some PSA legacy platforms though like the baby Alfa crossover that's coming on e-CMP.

WJR said:
Since this is an Alfa Romeo Tonale with a few sheet metal changes, cheaper seats etc. all these "little" bugs would have been fixed.

-snip-

However for a $45,000-$55,000 new vehicle I'm not sure I would be anxious to do that. And would Stellantis replace any major part that failed because I followed their instructions to ignore them (the warning lights)? No, I have to agree that the death bells are tolling fo Dodge and probably Chrysler at this point. I have always owned Chrysler products since before I got my drivers license and at my age I won't, (can't afford to buy any brand, new or used.

This seems a bit dramatic to be honest. If you had a registered dealer visit to address a check engine light and it was documented that no fix was available (NOT the issue here) then yes you would be covered. Realistically if Dodge hadn't figured out the issue (and again, they do have the fix for this and its just a software issue) they would've just reset all of the car systems, cleared the lights, and sent you on your way.

The death bells have been ringing for Dodge and Chrysler on and off for decades at this point. They might as well be wind chimes. I don't think the a check engine light in TFL video is going to do 'er in.

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Reactions: 5

aldo90731

· #56 · 2 mo ago

A CEL on a brand-new vehicle is a big red flag for me.

My CDJR dealer requires 7 to 10 days advance notice to see any of my vehicles, no matter what the issue might be. And they expect to keep the vehicle the entire day, and possibly longer, before they can even get to it. My dealer is 30 miles away and, no, they don’t do loaners. So I either have to camp there all day or pay for a rental car every day my vehicle sits in the shop. There’s a CDJR dealer only 1.5 miles from my house but after several terrible experiences I refuse to set foot there.

So yes, a brand-new vehicle that lights up like a Christmas tree on a YouTube review is a non-starter for me.

Reactions: 3

Doug D

· #57 · 2 mo ago

Rob Johnson JR said:
If the CEL light is on, they wont even test it, it is an automatic fail.

As it is in all states/jurisdictions where the emissions test is required.

Reactions: 1

sickboy

· #58 · 2 mo ago

While i would be very unhappy to see my dash light up like that on a new vehicle, after very little distance, the all went out and everything was restored except the CEL. Most times you need 3 driving cycles before that remedies itself. Or, you may need to clear the code.
let’s reset here and realize they didn’t break it. There was a hiccup in the tuning, which is not uncommon,(remember the hard shifting and clunking 9speed) and can be solved. TFL has been very good to mopar over the years, and fair is fair. Shouldn’t crucify them for pointing out a fault

Reactions: 5

valiant67

· #59 · 2 mo ago

sickboy said:
While i would be very unhappy to see my dash light up like that on a new vehicle, after very little distance, the all went out and everything was restored except the CEL. Most times you need 3 driving cycles before that remedies itself. Or, you may need to clear the code.
let’s reset here and realize they didn’t break it. There was a hiccup in the tuning, which is not uncommon,(remember the hard shifting and clunking 9speed) and can be solved. TFL has been very good to mopar over the years, and fair is fair. Shouldn’t crucify them for pointing out a fault

The problem is the hard shifting clunking 9 speed was a problem for years. It might finally be gone, but I saw the problem on 2018 and 2019 models still.

Reactions: 3

Zagnut27

· #60 · 2 mo ago

Anecdotal story here, my wife’s Encore will occasionally turn off the stabilitrak system if you bump a curb. In fact, it just happened a couple weeks ago when she drove over some accident debris on the highway. The service stabilitrak light came on and it put the vehicle into reduced engine power mode. It eventually resolved itself, but apparently the systems are pretty touchy. A Wrangler, it is not.

Reactions: 2

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