2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from North America - Comments

My Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2007 (you know, the great looking, larger new 4-door version just unveiled in 2007) has a really disappointing flaw - it kicks up rocks from the road, which chip away the paint on the door hinges. I've previously owned another Wrangler and a CJ-7, neither of which had this problem.

I believe this is a design flaw, as most new cars that kick rocks come with little standard-equipment mud flaps or slightly extended fender flares.

As a first-year vehicle with different tires and flare design, maybe Chrysler didn't know that the new Jeeps would have this problem... yet, now they do, and now I have big-time damage to the paint on my new car. The paint is literally falling off, and the hinges are exposed to bare metal and rusting! My new car!

I did contact Chrysler and asked if they could make this right, but they (with attitude) told me they would not be assisting me. I don't think that paint should be falling off my new car after only a year. I've never heard of that happening to anyone else's new vehicle before, but I know it's now happening to other Jeep Wrangler Unlimited owners, who had the misfortune of purchasing stock vehicles without mudflaps or running boards. Jeep should not sell these rigs without mudguards as standard equipment.

Now I have a new car with open rust sores... what a waste. Makes me wonder what else will go wrong that Jeep will refuse to correct. Scary.

I haven't seen any Unlimited Wranglers without running boards except for a Rubicon. I had thought they were standard (or at least extremely common) on the X model. Am I wrong?

I had the same problem with my Unlimited Rubicon because it doesn't come with running boards or mud-flaps. This is a particular problem with the Rubicon because the aggressive tires pick up some pretty big gravel. I figured running boards would be hard to take off for trail riding so I bought some flaps. It is a simple, easy, and obvious fix. It seems a little unfair to give a negative review to an entire vehicle because it didn't come with mud flaps. None of the cars or trucks I've purchased had them as standard equipment (they were a dealer add-on or something I added myself). It would seem like the first chip or two would have sent you to your nearest dealer to get flaps. Don't you share some responsibility for the delay?

Just purchased a 2008 Rubicon 4 door... first time off road and we noticed chips in the paint on the door hinges... off to buy mud flaps and running boards... hopefully this protects and we can continue to enjoy our new vehicle.

Another option for off-roaders is rock-rails. Some of them would work like running boards, in that you can step up on them and they would protect your hinges while being stronger for off-road use.

I have the running boards on my 4 door 2007 Wrangler and still get rock chips. My hinges are rusting but from the inside out... I am told that Chrysler is aware, but it is up to us as jeep owners to pull the screws out and treat or clean them. I think it's a joke, and will be pursuing further...I'll keep you posted.

A friend has an 05 Rubicon Unlimited (LJ). It also kicks up rocks because it has the diamondplate sides rather than that plastic thing that extends back from the front fender. It's also longer than a TJ, so there's more to be exposed before the rear fender. Of course it doesn't have the rear hinges there to catch rocks, but it's still an issue for him.

Buy a pair of OEM mud flaps, cures the problem immediately.

I can't believe someone would comment that a Jeep kicks up rocks! Put on some mud flaps and enjoy this unrivaled vehicle!

I purchased the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X with the hard top, 6-speed standard transmission and 4-wheel-drive fresh off the train.

Mine does not have the side step rails or mud flaps. I've never had a problem with it kicking up rocks, and my paint is as pristine now (Oct 2009) as when I bought it.

Only issue I've had is the hood sustained damage from a hail storm that didn't damage any other car in the neighborhood. Hood should probably be a little thicker to prevent this.

Only other complaint is the stock stereo system is tinny and sounds cheap.

In all other aspects, I love my Jeep and plan to keep it for many years. Doesn't need babying or high-octane fuel, it's fun and reliable, and I average 20 MPG. This is a LOT of sturdy, reliable fun for the money!

01:50

Congrats on your Wrangler!

My Wrangler was built 15 years ago this month. It has 141,000 miles on it and still look & runs like new.

Other than the basic wear & tear items - it has been ultra-reliable too.

I have a 2007 unlimited Jeep Wrangler. After two years I had to have the engine replaced. A year later I have a knocking noise every time I turn the car on. I take it to a Jeep dealership/service, they agree that it's something with the engine. On closer inspection they say it's now a transmission problem. I have an automatic. No slipping no nothing. I got very little help from the Jeep company. 25/75 split on the cost with me paying the 75%.I don't go off roading, no trails. I should not have had engine and transmission problems in 3 years on a new car. Any thoughts?

I too have a 2007 Wrangler 4 door, although I have not had any issue with the door hinges, a recent dead battery from too much tailgating at the football game threw the diagnostic system for a loop. The car was jumped and ran for two weeks. After two weeks, the batteries continued low voltage apparently ended up activating a safety lock on the transmission, which led me to bring the car to a transmission specialist, as the car would not shift out of 1st gear. After resetting the computer and replacing the battery, the transmission took it for a drive and felt significant slipping in the gears and basically told me that I will need to be addressing the upcoming transmission troubles that are most certainly coming. Car has 67,000 miles on it. Didn't expect to have to do such a major repair so soon. Anyone else experiencing the slippage in the gear shifting?

11:28 - It is called a Chrysler transmission. Many have been prematurely failing for the last 2 decades at least.

It is a shame that Chrysler Corp. is ruining Jeep.