Americas Front Driveshaft CV redesign

[Commodore]

Ineos crew, there is an issue with the front driveshaft CV at the transfer case side. The acute driveline angle generates heat causing the rubber on the CV to rip and spill grease. This leads to failure of the CV joint and ultimately immediate loss of forward propulsion. The failures have been well documented. Do you have plans to redesign this part or should owners start looking for their own permanent solutions?

This is a serious safety concern that needs to be resolved.

 

[Slov]

Depends on what you want to do with it.
If I had a do over I would probably find a real low mile last gen G Wagon and call it a day.

Aren’t those mall crawlers though?

 

[Shopkeep]

So, if I am waiting on my truck for March 2026 delivery...would anyone still recommend this vehicle? Pretty bummed out to hear about this. It's hard to find a simple body on frame modern 4x4 thats built to last if I have to replace a drive shaft prematurely at an unknown time. Everything else on the market in my eyes is crap in terms of durability due to hybrid systems sacrificing payload, cargo space, and require an engineer at the dealership to essentially fix.

Would you guys still buy the vehicle knowing this issue or advise someone to hold off?

The longer this thread goes the more paranoid it gets, I would buy it without hesitation.. Keep the suspension stock, if you want more clearance put taller tyres on it. Follow the service schedule, and periodically inspect the undercarriage yourself (which is super easy and a bit of fun anyway). Enjoy your vehicle when it arrives, it’s a cracker.

 

[Dokatd]

Depends on what you want to do with it.
If I had a do over I would probably find a real low mile last gen G Wagon and call it a day.

I feel this comment for sure.

So, if I am waiting on my truck for March 2026 delivery...would anyone still recommend this vehicle? Pretty bummed out to hear about this. It's hard to find a simple body on frame modern 4x4 thats built to last if I have to replace a drive shaft prematurely at an unknown time. Everything else on the market in my eyes is crap in terms of durability due to hybrid systems sacrificing payload, cargo space, and require an engineer at the dealership to essentially fix.

Would you guys still buy the vehicle knowing this issue or advise someone to hold off?

I would hate to steer you away, but it really does depend on what you are doing. I figure 99% of Grenadier owners don't need a Grenadier or bought it thinking it's an heirloom vehicle that they will hand off to their kids with 500k miles of use and a nostalgia to restore their Gran pappys old truck. Thats just not the reality, these trucks are built amazing well in many respects and just total junk in others. The truck relies too much on plastic and such and will be just as much ready for the scrap heap as any other vehicle made these days.

There is nothing a Grenadier can do that most any other similarly classed vehicle can do aside from turn heads. Thats just the sad truth.

So if you go in eyes open you just might have a great experience. But if you buy it thinking it's the best of every world and use it for more than a second vehicle or use it for commuting more than going off the beaten path then you may regret your purchase.

Me personally, I'm just stubborn.

 

[evomind]

Aren’t those mall crawlers though?

Solid axle front and rear with triple lockers.
I guess you can drive it to the mall too.
I drove my Grenadier to the mall last week.

 

[evomind]

I feel this comment for sure.


I would hate to steer you away, but it really does depend on what you are doing. I figure 99% of Grenadier owners don't need a Grenadier or bought it thinking it's an heirloom vehicle that they will hand off to their kids with 500k miles of use and a nostalgia to restore their Gran pappys old truck. Thats just not the reality, these trucks are built amazing well in many respects and just total junk in others. The truck relies too much on plastic and such and will be just as much ready for the scrap heap as any other vehicle made these days.

There is nothing a Grenadier can do that most any other similarly classed vehicle can do aside from turn heads. Thats just the sad truth.

So if you go in eyes open you just might have a great experience. But if you buy it thinking it's the best of every world and use it for more than a second vehicle or use it for commuting more than going off the beaten path then you may regret your purchase.

Me personally, I'm just stubborn.

Actually I find mine to be very streetable and have no problem going down the highway at 80mph.
I dont have HVAC issues and I dont have electronic snafus.
Zero complaints except I wanted to be able to put a slight lift on it and the axles were the least of my worries.

 

[Dokatd]

Actually I find mine to be very streetable and have no problem going down the highway at 80mph.
I dont have HVAC issues and I dont have electronic snafus.
Zero complaints except I wanted to be able to put a slight lift on it and the axles were the least of my worries.

Even the Yugo GV and the Austin Alegro had a few owners that swore by them.

 

[evomind]

Even the Yugo GV and the Austin Alegro had a few owners that swore by them.

lol
not quite the same but funny.
Im not exactly swearing by anything but when I bought the axles were the last thing I would have guessed to be a problem.

 

[Slov]

Solid axle front and rear with triple lockers.
I guess you can drive it to the mall too.
I drove my Grenadier to the mall last week.

Fair argument. G Wagons are just a status symbol here in Scottsdale and I’m annoyed by them honestly, ha.

 

[Slov]

I feel this comment for sure.


I would hate to steer you away, but it really does depend on what you are doing. I figure 99% of Grenadier owners don't need a Grenadier or bought it thinking it's an heirloom vehicle that they will hand off to their kids with 500k miles of use and a nostalgia to restore their Gran pappys old truck. Thats just not the reality, these trucks are built amazing well in many respects and just total junk in others. The truck relies too much on plastic and such and will be just as much ready for the scrap heap as any other vehicle made these days.

There is nothing a Grenadier can do that most any other similarly classed vehicle can do aside from turn heads. Thats just the sad truth.

So if you go in eyes open you just might have a great experience. But if you buy it thinking it's the best of every world and use it for more than a second vehicle or use it for commuting more than going off the beaten path then you may regret your purchase.

Me personally, I'm just stubborn.

I know it’s a vehicle of compromises. This would be a single vehicle for me. So, commuting for my office days, overland trips, and hauling the dirtbike on a hitch carrier for local and cross state rides.

I simply wanted rugged practicality and for my vehicle to last. Some modern amenities are nice, but I loved it when I did the 24hr test drive.

The Grenadier or whatever my next vehicle is, is something I expect to keep for 5-10 years. I don’t like throwing vehicles around like candy. The only reason why I’m upgrading from my Forester is hitting the capacity of a unibody having an RTT and a dirtbike on a hitch carrier is such a funny thing to see on a Subaru.

Quality and longevity with a practical applicability. I don’t mind nice things. They’re nice, but I want to LAST.

 

[Slov]

The longer this thread goes the more paranoid it gets, I would buy it without hesitation.. Keep the suspension stock, if you want more clearance put taller tyres on it. Follow the service schedule, and periodically inspect the undercarriage yourself (which is super easy and a bit of fun anyway). Enjoy your vehicle when it arrives, it’s a cracker.

Thanks man. I have a tendency to get into Paralysis by Analysis and get worried. I just want my next vehicle I’m upgrading towards to last! I outgrew my forester due to payload with hauling a dirtbike, camping gear and a RTT. I just want my vehicle to work, be rugged and I don’t have to worry about it besides the maintenance I will always stay on top of.

I figured worse case from what I’m seeing, a spare driveshaft at 25 lbs isn’t a bad peace of mind to carry on an expedition when most of my trips will be weekend overlanding ventures or cross state drives for dirtbike rides.

 

[Shopkeep]

Thanks man. I have a tendency to get into Paralysis by Analysis and get worried. I just want my next vehicle I’m upgrading towards to last! I outgrew my forester due to payload with hauling a dirtbike, camping gear and a RTT. I just want my vehicle to work, be rugged and I don’t have to worry about it besides the maintenance I will always stay on top of.

I figured worse case from what I’m seeing, a spare driveshaft at 25 lbs isn’t a bad peace of mind to carry on an expedition when most of my trips will be weekend overlanding ventures or cross state drives for dirtbike rides.

If you are coming from a Forester you are going to love the heft and build quality of the Grenadier. Not picking on Subarus, have had a WRX, STI and BRZ and loved them.

 

[Slov]

If you are coming from a Forester you are going to love the heft and build quality of the Grenadier. Not picking on Subarus, have had a WRX, STI and BRZ and loved them.

I loved the build quality when I did the 24 hour test drive. It sealed the deal for me. Canyon driving, city driving, highway miles… no issues. Small quirks but things that weren’t deal breakers.

The only true concern so far was the drive shaft issue I came across the past day or so.

The Subaru is great. Ive just outgrown it and only want one high quality vehicle built like a tank that’ll last. It’s hard to find that now.

 

[Shopkeep]

I loved the build quality when I did the 24 hour test drive. It sealed the deal for me. Canyon driving, city driving, highway miles… no issues. Small quirks but things that weren’t deal breakers.

The only true concern so far was the drive shaft issue I came across the past day or so.

The Subaru is great. Ive just outgrown it and only want one high quality vehicle built like a tank that’ll last. It’s hard to find that now.

Where you live you have an amazing playground that will be awesome for the Grenadier. A couple of years ago I did Tucson - Phoenix (go Diamondbacks!) - Sedona - Flagstaff - Grand Canyon Desert View Drive - Kayenta - Monument Valley - Page - Zion in a Florida plated rental Expedition with interior mold issues and a slipping clutch pack. Would have been much nicer in the Grenadier.

 

[Dokatd]

I loved the build quality when I did the 24 hour test drive. It sealed the deal for me. Canyon driving, city driving, highway miles… no issues. Small quirks but things that weren’t deal breakers.

The only true concern so far was the drive shaft issue I came across the past day or so.

The Subaru is great. Ive just outgrown it and only want one high quality vehicle built like a tank that’ll last. It’s hard to find that now.

I don't know you and I don't know your vehicle history. But...... I think the Grenadier is a risky purchase coming from a Subaru. Though I am not a fan at all of Subarus I will say they are reliable, predictable and inexpensive to operate. And most of all they are very much a people's vehicle. They are for most comfortable and easy to drive in about every situation. They just work for almost everything. (Still wouldn't own one).

The Grenadier has its high points and you may fully fall in love, but it may also quickly lose its shine and might be a disaster for you.

Maybe not if you can afford another vehicle when the Grenadier tarnishes a bit.

I just kind of don't sell vehicles, sure I have bought some and flipped them but most I buy with intent to keep them more or less forever so long as I can afford to hang on to them. You can imagine storage is getting costly! That said, I could sell the Grenadier tomorrow and not lose a bit of sleep over it. And all that stems from it just not being what was promised and some long term quirks like the drive shaft that I am having trouble getting over.

So my suggestion is look elsewhere, but if you do get a Grenadier I truely hope you enjoy it and come here to tell us about it.

 

[Shopkeep]

I don't know you and I don't know your vehicle history. But...... I think the Grenadier is a risky purchase coming from a Subaru. Though I am not a fan at all of Subarus I will say they are reliable, predictable and inexpensive to operate. And most of all they are very much a people's vehicle. They are for most comfortable and easy to drive in about every situation. They just work for almost everything. (Still wouldn't own one).

The Grenadier has its high points and you may fully fall in love, but it may also quickly lose its shine and might be a disaster for you.

Maybe not if you can afford another vehicle when the Grenadier tarnishes a bit.

I just kind of don't sell vehicles, sure I have bought some and flipped them but most I buy with intent to keep them more or less forever so long as I can afford to hang on to them. You can imagine storage is getting costly! That said, I could sell the Grenadier tomorrow and not lose a bit of sleep over it. And all that stems from it just not being what was promised and some long term quirks like the drive shaft that I am having trouble getting over.

So my suggestion is look elsewhere, but if you do get a Grenadier I truely hope you enjoy it and come here to tell us about it.

Maybe, or (stick with me here) is Subaru the Ineos of Japanese cars? Fuji Heavy Industries have always made slightly quirky vehicles: limited models, mostly made in Japan, boxer engines, mostly permanent 4WD and slightly tinny body construction. The safe and logical choice is a Toyota or Mazda or Nissan or Honda but the quirky counter culture nature of Subaru is what attracts many buyers. Ideal stepping stone to the Grenadier.

 

[Slov]

I don't know you and I don't know your vehicle history. But...... I think the Grenadier is a risky purchase coming from a Subaru. Though I am not a fan at all of Subarus I will say they are reliable, predictable and inexpensive to operate. And most of all they are very much a people's vehicle. They are for most comfortable and easy to drive in about every situation. They just work for almost everything. (Still wouldn't own one).

The Grenadier has its high points and you may fully fall in love, but it may also quickly lose its shine and might be a disaster for you.

Maybe not if you can afford another vehicle when the Grenadier tarnishes a bit.

I just kind of don't sell vehicles, sure I have bought some and flipped them but most I buy with intent to keep them more or less forever so long as I can afford to hang on to them. You can imagine storage is getting costly! That said, I could sell the Grenadier tomorrow and not lose a bit of sleep over it. And all that stems from it just not being what was promised and some long term quirks like the drive shaft that I am having trouble getting over.

So my suggestion is look elsewhere, but if you do get a Grenadier I truely hope you enjoy it and come here to tell us about it.

In your shoes, what would you recommend bedsides a Grenadier if that’s the case?