The Jeep Renegade has become a popular choice of SUV amongst enthusiasts and off-roaders since its launch in March 2014. However, over the years, issues and concerns have been raised regarding excessive fuel consumption.
In response to the complaints, Jeep issued a recall for some specific Renegade models with a 2.4-liter engine that was made between 2017 and 2018. This left many disgruntled owners extremely frustrated.
If you’re concerned about your Jeep Renegades oil consumption or are experiencing low oil levels, this guide will help you with some information regarding what to do next.
What Causes The Jeep Renegade Oil Consumption Issue?
If you own a Jeep Renegade, it’s all very well, and good being told it’s being recalled due to an oil consumption issue, but do you know what causes it?
In the following section, we’re going to take a look at the root cause of the problem, including contributing to the oil consumption recall.
Then, later we will also look into how these issues can lead to severe and hazardous problems for drivers and other road users.
Keep reading to learn why your Jeep Renegade may have an issue with fuel consumption.
Rapid Oil Consumption Cause
After an investigation, it seems the leading cause of the oil consumption was down to a crack in the oil pump housing, which meant oil was leaking from the vessel at a vigorous rate. This resulted in low oil levels, even when drivers regularly topped up.
Oil Pump Housing – Explained
The oil pump housing on a Jeep Renegade is the protective casing for the oil pump. Its purpose is to hold the pump gears and create a seal between the engine, gasket, and oil pump. In most cases, these should be made from high-grade materials that can withstand heat and rough terrain.
How To Know if Your Jeep Renegade Has Been Recalled?
If you’re unsure about your Jeep Renegade or haven’t received anything in the mail but think your Jeep should have been recalled, you can check its status on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website by entering the model number.
If you want to be sure, we also recommend contacting the dealership where you purchased your Jeep to find out more information regarding the oil consumption recall.
What Happens After a Jeep Renegade Oil Consumption Recall?
If your vehicle has been recalled due to an oil consumption-related issue, there’s no doubt it will leave you frustrated and can be a huge inconvenience.
However, the plus side is that the manufacturer is responsible for fixing this issue, so the repair won’t be coming out of your pocket.
While at the dealership, they will complete a thorough inspection of the vehicle and perform all the necessary repairs or replace the oil housing with another design.
The good news is this isn’t a lengthy job and should only leave you without your vehicle for a day (or less), and once you’ve had the work done, you’ll notice a significant reduction in oil consumption.
What if You Ignore The Oil Consumption Recall?
Ignoring a recall for oil consumption with your Jeep Renegade is strongly advised against and can lead to several negative consequences.
The most obvious ramification of ignoring the recall will be overusing oil, meaning possible engine damage, decreased performance, and increased costs.
Let’s inspect this further.
Safety
Continuing to use your Renegade when there’s an oil leak is going to cause significant damage to the engine. It could cause the vehicle to stall and put you at further risk of an accident.
Warranty
Leaving the problem unsolved won’t make it go away. So the longer you leave it, the worse it will get. If you ignore the recall for too long, you could void your warranty, meaning that when you do come to solve the problem, you could be heavily out of pocket.
Engine Knock
If you start to hear a knocking sound coming from the engine, this is a sign of internal damage that the ignored oil leak has possibly caused. This is due to a lack of lubrication surrounding the cylinders when an oil leak occurs.
Less Efficient
In the case of a persistent oil leak, your Jeep Renegade will work hard to compensate for the lost oil. In turn, the engine will consume more fuel, making your vehicle less economical and putting a considerable dent in your wallet.
Increased Maintenence Costs
You could be creating more of an issue by not dealing with the problem urgently. A consistent oil leak will eventually damage other parts of the vehicle, increasing maintenance costs, whereas responding to the recall shouldn’t cost you a penny.
Reduced Performance
One of the things you probably love about the Jeep Renegade is how it handles the road and performs off it. However, this won’t be the case for long if you ignore a recall about oil consumption. An oil leak can affect the car’s performance, including acceleration, handling, and driving efficiency.
To Summarize
If your Jeep has been recalled for oil consumption, it’s not something that should be overlooked, or ignored, as it’s likely that this problem is not going to go away by itself. In fact, it is only going to get worse the longer you leave it.
The best option under these circumstances is to take your Renegade to a Jeep dealership for the proper maintenance to be performed.
And don’t forget, as this is a manufacturer’s error, it won’t come at any cost to you, the owner, as long as you respond to the recall immediately.