We purchased our 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited, automatic, new off the lot in early August, 2014. It had approximately 300 kilometers logged on the odometer. During the maiden voyage home from the dealer, the vehicle's engine shuttered, then stalled, while braking to a stop. This scenario has repeated itself several times since, with no rhyme or reason to the reoccurring frequency of the failure, or environmental conditions in which it is observed. Occasionally the engine will only run rough for perhaps 10 seconds before returning to a smooth idle, more often the engine will shut down entirely as a result of this erratic performance. When shifted into neutral or park, the engine may then be immediately restarted without further performance issues. This has happened in as little as several minutes between stalls, to as long as a week between stalls.

Our first visit to the dealership yielded a software upgrade to the "wireless control module", to which it was explained to me that a service bulletin for this update had been issued by Chrysler. A standard issue update hardly seems like a possible solution for a problem which has received no proper diagnosis, and in fact our Wrangler once again stalled on the way home. An admission of the usual "of course we couldn't get it to misbehave for us" combined with no engine light or fault codes stored in the engine's computer, indicates not only a lack of ideas for possible causes and solutions, but a lack of motivation to find them. To admit they don't know how to fix our vehicle is seemingly too difficult of a pill for them to swallow.

I will soon be returning my vehicle to the dealership for scheduled further inspection. The power train warranty is 5 years or a certain mileage limit, and at an estimated rental car cost to the dealer of $150 per visit, they shall have to receive me 233 times before they have spent an equal amount to which we have bought our Wrangler. Approximately, we would need to take the vehicle in once a week for the duration of our warranty, and until it no longer stalls, perhaps that is what is needed to be done. Assuming the manufacturer absorbs these costs, as well as the billable hours spent with diagnostics and parts replacement, including also the cost of any parts themselves, in a matter of half the time mentioned I would guess Chrysler has now spent 100% of their initial investment to manufacture the vehicle. Chrysler, I'll make you a deal: give me two more Wranglers, no wait, maybe one Ram pickup, and I might be willing to overlook this stalling debacle. It just may cost you less money in the end?

During my research, I have read an article citing model year 2011 Chrysler 200's (equipped with the same 3.2L V6 Pentastar engine as our Wranglers) as having seemingly identical stalling issues: http://www.chryslerproblems.com/problems/200-engine-dies-while-driving.shtml

Their issues appear to have been remedied by reprogramming the ecu, in this case, to stop inadvertently discharging the fuel system's charcoal canister, a device that collects fuel tank petrol vapors, into the engine's incoming air at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions. Far be it for me to suggest this is the solution to our problem; however some research and common sense lends itself to an ideal starting point for diagnosis. Given that this is an issue under the same brand umbrella, would it be far fetched for a technician to look slightly farther than the confines of the box in which he works? Right, paid by the job means this technician replacing a component in 4 hours under the book time earns him more than straight time for diagnostic work.

Other results from my research show very sparse numbers of Wrangler owners from 2012 to present (the introduction of the Pentastar into the Wrangler) commenting on the same stalling issue. I have found no more than 4 total between various forums and sites similar to this. If you are having the same problem, I would love to hear your story, and your interactions with Chrysler and your dealer, and definitely if your stalling issues have been solved.