Pitch and roll angle was billed as just one of the great features on Fiat Chrysler’s Off-Road Pages section for its latest UConnect Infotainment system in some 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
However, it now looks more like a bait-and-switch feature, at least according to many new owners of the JL Wrangler.
That’s because the UConnectCares twitter account, which is the official customer service account for the brand, confirmed Thursday its Off-Road Pages feature will not be available for the 2018 model. Instead, UconnectCares posted that Off-Road pages will appear for the 2019 model year.
This, despite the brand pumping up the feature since its November Wrangler JL roll out, as well as Off-Road Pages appearing as a feature in 2018 Owners manuals.
Off-Road Pages, which is currently available on the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk edition, provides the driver with a number of helpful gauges that pertain to off-roading, such as pitch, roll, altitude, GPS coordinates, drivetrain power distribution and more. The setup is only available for those who upgrade to a Uconnect 4C with 8.4-inch touchscreen.
While not a substitute for responsible off-roading, the feature still would be a helpful addition for those taking their Wrangler JL off-pavement.
As you can guess, the announcement did not go over well with current JL Wrangler owners.
“I would not have ordered the infotainment group if this was known. I would of waited and installed the head unit from a 2019 and saved some money,” said one poster on the popular JLWranglerForums board. “The Jeep site is still showing this as a feature for the 8.4 and nowhere does it state late is removed all together there should be some sort of rebate back to those early buyers who are not getting it.”
In fact, some owners said the feature did work for a time after purchase, but then suddenly just went away without notice.
Now, granted, the JL Wrangler does have a ton of other features that justify ownership, and there is always the hope some type of software fix down the road will allow 2018 owners to gain functionality, but advertising this feature, and then removing, is certain to cause issues for Jeep.
For its part, UConnectCares did post that infotainment features are subject to change, and they apologized for any disappointment caused from this.
Still, that didn’t ease feelings for those who paid for an infotainment upgrade to, in part, gain access to this feature.
“I did a lot of research before ordering my Jeep, saw the reveal on the computer at the LA auto show, checked out a few models at a couple auto shows before putting money down and ordering,” James Seibert, owner of a 2018 Wrangler JL Rubicon, said to Off-Road.com. “I was very clear with the dealer what I wanted and made absolutely sure that the Off-Road Pages would be included. Was told yes they would be since the website and manual and FCA reps assured the dealer of what was and was not included.”
