Joshua Braga

Colonial South Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM responded

Thank you for your detailed follow-up. I want to respond clearly and directly so anyone reading this understands the facts and what is and isn’t within my control as the General Manager. First, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: If you’re unhappy with how this situation has been handled, that responsibility falls on me — not Larry, Pat, or Chris. I am the person who runs this dealership day-to-day, and it’s my job to make sure customers are taken care of. That accountability begins and ends with me. Now, I want to address the points you raised: 1. Your concerns about your previous Jeep and Colonial Hudson I understand why the issues at another Colonial location created distrust. I can’t undo what happened there, but I do acknowledge it shaped how you approached this situation. What I can do is make sure that everything handled at my store is done based on the actual policies and guidelines we are given from Stellantis — not assumptions or promises that can’t be delivered. 2. Your concern is not just the existence of a recall, but the lack of clarity I hear you. You wanted clear guidance and consistency, and this recall has been frustrating because Stellantis has released limited information. That said, it’s important for the public to understand: Dealers cannot create their own solutions. We must follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly as they are written. Stellantis has not authorized loaners or rental reimbursement for this campaign. If they had, we would provide it. Stellantis has NOT issued a “do not drive” or “park outside” warning. If they believed the vehicle was unsafe to operate or unsafe to park near structures, they would explicitly state that. They have not. Under the bulletin Stellantis has issued, the vehicle is considered safe to drive while we wait for the official repair. 3. Your point about not asking for a buyback I agree with you — you asked what options existed, and that is reasonable. But I also need to be transparent for readers: Stellantis controls buybacks, replacements, swaps, and any recall-related assistance. A dealer cannot initiate or authorize any of those options without manufacturer approval. Asking the question was not an issue — the limitation is that we can only answer based on what Stellantis authorizes. 4. Your comment about inconsistent communication I understand that you felt you were getting vague or conflicting information. The difficulty is that Stellantis’ guidance on this recall has been limited and has not changed since the bulletin was released. That means: I cannot give information that Stellantis has not provided. I cannot promise accommodations that Stellantis has not authorized. I cannot override safety classifications that Stellantis has not issued. I do agree that a phone call should have happened sooner, and that is something I am addressing internally. You deserved timely communication regardless of whether the answer was the same or not. 5. Moving forward My commitment is to keep you updated the moment Stellantis provides new guidance, parts availability, or customer support options. Until then, I will continue to be transparent about what we can do — and what the manufacturer controls. I respect you for laying out your concerns publicly, and I appreciate you giving me the chance to respond just as openly. — Joshua Braga General Manager, Colonial South CDJR

ajc242 responded

Thank you for taking the time to respond, Joshua. And to be completely transparent, I only posted publicly because it was the only way to get any sort of meaningful response from anyone at Colonial. To your credit, you’ve shown more concern than Larry, Pat, or even Stellantis. However, since this is now a public conversation, I want to clarify a few points so readers understand the full picture. First, I did not come to Colonial South simply looking for “an aggressive deal.” I came to you because Colonial Hudson misdiagnosed my previous Jeep, broke it, and left me with a repair bill that never should have existed. This was not a one time occurrence either. Mistakes happen but after 3 or 4 failures at servicing my vehicle, that is unacceptable. After that, I reached out to Larry Gordon and Pat Brown, who told me they wanted to earn my business back and make the situation right. Instead, I ended up in another vehicle with major issues less than five months later. Yes, my old Jeep had negative equity, but it was manageable. I also could have gone elsewhere and traded into a different vehicle, using an EV tax credit to absorb that equity. I chose not to, because I trusted you, Larry, Pat, and Colonial South and because I preferred to stay with Jeep. That trust is exactly why all of this is so frustrating. Second, while you emphasize that this is a manufacturer recall, the concern is not simply that a recall exists. It’s the fact that when I reached out for help with a vehicle now considered a potential fire risk, I received no genuine support, clear guidance, or consistency. I was told multiple conflicting things including that I would need to pay out of pocket for a rental or loaner. While my landlord is expressing safety concerns about the vehicle sitting on their property. I am already paying a significant monthly payment for a Jeep that has had four recalls in the five months I’ve owned it. Being told to take on even more cost is unacceptable. Putting my family's home, and other vehicles at risk is also unacceptable. Third, I never pressured anyone to buy back the vehicle. I simply asked what options existed: buyback, swap, rental, loaner, or any other reasonable solution until there is a remedy to the recall. My request isbased on the statements made earlier this year that Colonial wanted to stand behind me after what happened at the Hudson location. Asking for options is not the same as pressuring anyone. Lastly, your response suggests that my concerns were “addressed.” In reality, every time I reached out for clear information, I received vague or conflicting answers, no actionable follow-through, and no steps that made me feel safe in the vehicle I purchased from you. That is why my trust is gone not just because Stellantis issued a recall, but because of how my situation was handled by two Colonial dealerships. I appreciate your willingness to keep the conversation open, but it’s important that readers understand the full context behind why this review was written. I also sent an email earlier this week, in which 3 people had the opportunity to pick up the phone, and call me to discuss the situation, which has not been done.

ajc242 responded

Recall number: 68C Affected vehicles: 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Defect: The high-voltage battery pack may contain cells with separator damage that can lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is parked. Safety risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury to occupants and people outside the vehicle. Interim instructions: ***********Park your vehicle outside and away from buildings, other vehicles, and flammable materials.**************** ***********Do not charge the vehicle until further notice.*********** Fix timeline: A remedy is not expected until the first quarter of 2026.