Forward Collision Warning

[MotownBob]

Agreed, Hamada. The system should brake the car on it's own regardless of the cruise setting or if the cruise control is off. I did a test of the system to see if the car would brake on it's own when the Adaptive CC is on and it does brake the car. It's a little aggressive in the way it brakes but at least it stops the car so I know that system works.

Mine works with the adaptive cruise control on. It DOES NOT work when not using either crise control .

 

[Rykomm]

Mine works with the adaptive cruise control on. It DOES NOT work when not using either crise control .

Yep. Same for me, Bob.

 

[Sarge]

Yep. Same for me, Bob.

The owner's manual section on FCW starts on page 250 in the manual I have (they keep editing the manual so it may be different now).

My reading of it is that if you have the system enabled, it should always be active regardless of cruise control. You turn FCW and other safety features on or off in Uconnect settings, and the only time I can see that it is otherwise disabled automatically is when you switch into 4 Low (if your car has that). Otherwise it's always on, perhaps even when towing, as it makes no mention of that scenario.

The only other thing that might affect it is if the forward radar sensor is blocked (ie snow or maybe mud), which makes the ACC also unusable for the same reason.

I haven't tried it, but if you turn the FCW off in Uconnect, it presumably shows the FCW off warning icon in the cluster. Mine has shown the FCW system to be off at times, for no discernible reason (I've always left it on, because 'why not'). They do recommend turning it off for off road use.

 

[BerettaBri]

I have been driving mine now for about 4 weeks since getting it back and I have yet to have the system engage. I have had, again, close calls that I felt should have engaged it. I went back in today to have a another recall corrected... They installed a new steering wheel, citing that several owners have had issues with the fabric unwrapping. Mine wasn't showing any signs of wear, but they ordered it up when I was there 4 weeks ago for a number of fixes. While there, they also did some software flashes - "Software Flash 1 - Flash for EPS" (Power Steering). I'll just keep watching to see if something kicks that system on at some point.

 

[hamada128]

I have been driving mine now for about 4 weeks since getting it back and I have yet to have the system engage. I have had, again, close calls that I felt should have engaged it. I went back in today to have a another recall corrected... They installed a new steering wheel, citing that several owners have had issues with the fabric unwrapping. Mine wasn't showing any signs of wear, but they ordered it up when I was there 4 weeks ago for a number of fixes. While there, they also did some software flashes - "Software Flash 1 - Flash for EPS" (Power Steering). I'll just keep watching to see if something kicks that system on at some point.

I had the power steering update done like a month ago. I noticed a difference when I change the steering wheel sensitivity under the Uconnect (normal, sport, comfort). Before the update I couldn't feel much difference between those modes.

 

[AZJeeper21]

Try the aluminum foil first. It's probably sufficient.

Mine does not work either. With 15,000 miles it’s only triggered once, someone was turning in front of me while going 20 mph.
I’ve tried having a friend in front of me going 90 and coming up in him no brakes extremely fast, the system did nothing.
Took it in to the dealer. They seem rather dumb stating it only work when adaptive cruise is enabled.
My reading indicates they are mutually exclusive systems.
They also claimed the sensor wa out of calibration, and reset it.
Still doesn’t work.
IMO I paid for this feature. They advertise it as a part of their safety program. It should work.
On my Subaru this feature worked great.

 

[Sarge]

I had the power steering update done like a month ago. I noticed a difference when I change the steering wheel sensitivity under the Uconnect (normal, sport, comfort). Before the update I couldn't feel much difference between those modes.

Interesting. I've never noticed any difference in the steering wheel feel when changing those settings. Maybe that's why. I swear they built mine from a box of rejected parts.

Regrading collision warning, I've had mine intervene at parking speeds (when I didn't want it to), and have seen the FCW error light and message on the dash come on sometimes, but it goes off on its own (like everything else on my car). I've never seen the system work, or had real cause to see it work, though.

 

[TampaHoosier]

For those interested in the lack of emergency stopping/braking by the vehicle itself... I did some research on this because my wife complained that it was non-existent compared to her old 2019 Ford Explorer that her GCL Summit replaced, or my 2018 Honda Accord Touring that my 2021 Diesel Gladiator Rubicon replaced. Both of those vehicles (explorer and accord) had the safety packages and were very proactive in audible/visual cues when getting too close to a vehicle and both were known for braking for you in certain scenarios.

Jeep (CDJR more fully) employs a slightly different system than some other brands. In others like Ford/Lincon or Honda/Acura the system is much more proactive and regardless of slight user inputs if the system doesn't like the scenario ahead it will either beep/flash or take additional action to stop. The system we see in the Jeeps will NOT take action if the system senses ANY sort of reaction in terms of driver input. Jeep is clear about this and the reason is to try and avoid false reactions and brake slams that have cause accidents themselves. The Jeep system is designed to take action, or give you warnings when it notices NO changes to drive inputs at all with an imminent threat approaching. IE if you make a very slight decrease in gas, or let off gas but don't brake/steer, or make slight steering wheel correction it assumes you are alert and aware of the scenario and will not intervene. If the system sees a scenario coming and doesn't detect any changes to driver input it will then react at the necessary point. I have seen this system in action. In my gladiator yesterday (3" lift and 37 tires nonetheless) a motorcycle in front of me suddenly braked. I was not paying attention. My gladiator beeped/flashed and locked up the brakes, tire squeal and all. Thankfully it worked and nothing further happened. Too date that is the only time it has happened but in all other scenarios I always did something, ever so slightly in change or not so this sort of reaffirms what I read about the Jeep's difference in their system.

I'm not discounting what some of you have stated as potential problems, who knows maybe there are bugs. Just saying the system IS different than others. In my Honda I could tailgate someone actively (speed up slow down to stay close) and the system would still engage, or warn, if necessary. That is almost completely not the case with these systems though if there were a brake slam I would think the system would react as intended if I continued in that second with my driving as previously done.

Food for thought. I'm trying to find the article I read explaining the jeeps systems but so far I can't.

 

[Sarge]

Good to know. I wonder if it uses the cameras or radar cruise system too, in vehicles equipped with those things.

Mine has, however, gone through random periods where it shows the 'collision warning system unavailable' message, although some times it just shows the little orange icon that indicates its not working. With what others are reporting, sometimes it maybe doesn't work AND doesn't tell you it's not working.

If you can find the article it would be great to know how it actually works, and what systems it uses.

 

[Jrseidel]

Actually had mine work today and apply braking for the first time. Probably saved me from rear ending the car in front of me. There was a homeless man on the side of the road stumbling which distracted me momentarily and I did not see traffic stop up ahead in the middle of the intersection. I wasn’t going very fast, maybe 25 mph. It beeped, flashed BRAKE!, and hit the brakes hard. Hard enough to cause my things in the rear seat to fly forward. I was very thankful I had the system.

 

[hamada128]

Actually had mine work today and apply braking for the first time. Probably saved me from rear ending the car in front of me. There was a homeless man on the side of the road stumbling which distracted me momentarily and I did not see traffic stop up ahead in the middle of the intersection. I wasn’t going very fast, maybe 25 mph. It beeped, flashed BRAKE!, and hit the brakes hard. Hard enough to cause my things in the rear seat to fly forward. I was very thankful I had the system.

The system is very good when it works.

 

[Sarge]

Anyone know what sorts of things it will or will not detect, like a size limit or something? I wish there were a good way to test it.

 

[bzjeep]

I think we're having the opposite problem with our 21 GCL Limited. Multiple times now while driving on the freeway, our emergency braking has kicked in with literally nobody directly in front of us or in the lanes immediately on either side of us. It almost seems like when there are certain variations in the road, the system is mistaking them for obstacles. These false alarms have not been accompanied by any error messages, but I'll certainly be asking about this at my next service appointment.

 

[Sarge]

It seems like this is happening to a number of people, and that is BIG problem - literally an accident waiting to happen. I'm not sure I would drive mine if it were doing that. I'd sure be nervous. If it pulls that stunt when you're in front of an 18-wheeler, you're potentially dead. Is there a way to disable the system until Jeep solves the problem?

Also, does anyone know if that system is disabled when towing a trailer? (the active driving assist, for instance, isn't available when it senses a trailer electrical connection).

 

[TampaHoosier]

I think we're having the opposite problem with our 21 GCL Limited. Multiple times now while driving on the freeway, our emergency braking has kicked in with literally nobody directly in front of us or in the lanes immediately on either side of us. It almost seems like when there are certain variations in the road, the system is mistaking them for obstacles. These false alarms have not been accompanied by any error messages, but I'll certainly be asking about this at my next service appointment.

In the video below fast forward to about 50 seconds in. Also you can adjust the sensitivity of the system. They are all defaulted to Far, in your case maybe try adjusting it down one notch and see how that works.

 

[rp123]

I got my windshield changed about 2k miles ago. They had to reprogram the sensors when reinsstalling the new windshield. My forward collision warning has been working absolutely amazing after that. Before that it did not even work once (it did once, but I was basically about to hit the vehicle in front). It triggered at least 5 times after the windshield change and they weren't even that close.

 

[Sarge]

What is the cost of a new windshield on these anyway? I live where rocks are everywhere (WY uses crushed granite on the roads in the winter, and most of them are chip-seal pavement on top of that). I'm not looking forward to paying for a new one, but I know I will eventually. I imagine it won't be cheap (may be even worse as I have all the tech, with HUD, self-driving assist, etc).

 

[Jrseidel]

What is the cost of a new windshield on these anyway? I live where rocks are everywhere (WY uses crushed granite on the roads in the winter, and most of them are chip-seal pavement on top of that). I'm not looking forward to paying for a new one, but I know I will eventually. I imagine it won't be cheap (may be even worse as I have all the tech, with HUD, self-driving assist, etc).

Dealer quoted me $1,400 for the OEM windshield (not including labor to install) and $375 for recalibration. But all was covered under my insurance when mine got hit with a rock.

 

[tjw68]

I purchased the GCL Limited in November. It has 2976 miles on it. Forward collision warning is activated, but its does not work. Has anyone else noticed it?

Why do you think it's activated? Did you check in settings? You have the option to have it warn you, but not do anything. You might have to select the warn and react setting. Mine works fine, but too sensitive. I turned it off.

 

[tjw68]

So here is my latest on this... I actually had to go without my GCL for 2 weeks because... for reasons unknown... my front drive shaft separated from the axle. Over that two weeks, I was given a 2021 Jeep Renegade as a loaner to drive. The Renegade has a very similar, if not same, radar sensor behind the front bumper with a similar squared-off section at the center of the bumper. While driving the Renegade, the Advanced Braking System engaged for me TWICE due to one vehicle making a sudden turn in front of me in an intersection, and another time it got a little angry about an oncoming car that got into the center lane on the highway and it was hugging the line enough that the system felt concerned it was coming into my lane - but it engaged. And then something I noticed while driving the Renegade... We had a snowfall hit and while I was in a store, the snow piled up on the front bumper and blocked the sensor. The car recognized that the sensor was blocked by the snow and it gave me a warning on the dash indicating that the sensor was blocked and was being disabled until the blockage was cleared. I cleared the snow and the sensor reengaged. So I get my GCL back from the drive shaft replacement and I tell my service advisor about the actions of the sensor in the Renegade and I said I was going to try a test by creating a blockage of the sensor to see if it would give me the disengagement message on the dash. I first tried taping a thick cardboard box flap on the bumper in front of the sensor. I did not get the blocked sensor error message. I tried it again when I got home by taping a balled-up shop rag - much thicker than the cardboard - to the bumper in front of the sensor and still no error message or disengagement of the system. I called my service advisor back and told him about this test not working. He claims he was calling it into STAR. I don't know that I am confident anything is actually happening.

Could anyone else try this test - blocking your sensor in some way, whether your Advanced Braking System works or not - to see if you get an error message disengaging the system after you start the car and drive it a few hundred feet? I am curious to see if this works for ANYONE. I am convinced either the radar sensor is non-functional OR there is a software issue in our systems that gives false readings that the system is operational when they run a diagnostic and it isn't actually working as it should. This is a pretty important safety feature to me and I think it is utterly ridiculous that this isn't working as it should and gets shrugged off otherwise.

I got that message several times during snow storms. It shuts down the cruise control also, since it can no longer maintain distance. All I have to do it pull over and wipe the slush off the sensor. Same thing happened to the night-vision sensor.