Jeep Grand Cherokee Complaints (1997)

991 consumer complaints on file.

#10147577January 9, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997 CHRYSLER GRAND CHEROKEE REAR OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED, THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY AN OVERHEATED WHEEL BEARING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145190December 14, 2005
EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FROM LANSDALE CHRYSLER JEEP IN OCTOBER OF 2002. WITHIN 1 WEEK, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE ABS UNIT HAD FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1,000 DOLLARS. I SUBMITTED A HAND WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO THEM THAT THE CAR WAS "CERTIFIED" AND NOTHING SHOULD FAIL WITHIN A WEEK. THE ABS WAS REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ME. THREE YEARS LATER THE ABS UNIT HAS FAILED AGAIN! ESTIMATE CHARGE FOR REPAIR IS $1,200 DOLLARS. MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM 1993-1998 GRAND CHEROKEE'S. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: AUTOS.MSN.COM CITES THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ABS UNIT TO FAIL. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ABS UNIT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW DOES A $1,000 PART FAIL TWICE?!? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144716December 7, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V194000) RECALL FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT. DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE UNIT WAS REPLACED IN 2002, YET TODAY THE REPLACED PART IS FAILING JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL AND THE DEALER EXPECTS ME TO PAY FOR IT EVEN THOUGH THIS PART WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FIX FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL..*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144366December 3, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE. SHE SUDDENLY FOUND THAT SHE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD STARTED TO GO ON. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SHE MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. WHEN I CHECKED, I FOUND THAT THE CAST ALUMINUM BRACKET HOLDING THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BROKEN IN 3 PLACES, ALLOWING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FALL OFF. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURES SHOWED THAT ONE WAS MUCH OLDER THAN THE OTHERS, SUGGESTING THAT THE BRACKET HAD BROKEN IN ONE PLACE MUCH EARLIER AND THAT THE FIRST BREAK HAD INCREASED THE STRAIN ON OTHER PARTS OF THE BRACKET, RESULTING IN THE EVENTUAL TOTAL FAILURE. WHEN I REPLACED THE BRACKET, I NOTED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD INCREASED THE THICKNESS OF THE REINFORCING RIBS IN THE CASTING AND ADDED A NEW RIB IN THE AREA WHERE THE OLDER FRACTURE HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER PARTS CLERK ALSO ANTICIPATED WHICH ENGINE OPTION I HAD IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I TOLD HIM THE MODEL AND THE PART I NEEDED, AND INDICATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD AROUND 30 PIECES OF THE REPLACEMENT PART IN STOCK. SINCE THE MANUFACTURER CLEARLY KNOWS THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE PART HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT, THIS REALLY SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MAJOR CRASHES HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS FAILURE WITHOUT BEING ATTRIBUTED TO IT SINCE A FRONTAL IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO BE LIKELY TO BREAK THIS BRACKET, OBSCURING THE FACT THAT THE BRACKET BROKE PRIOR TO IMPACT. OTHER MODEL YEARS WITH THIS ENGINE AND OTHER ENGINE OPTIONS IN THIS MODEL YEAR HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP BOLTED DIRECTLY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK (NO BRACKET REQUIRED). THE PURPOSE OF THIS BRACKET APPEARS TO BE TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE SAME POWER STEERING PUMP ON TWO DIFFERENT ENGINE OPTIONS (REDUCING COST). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140983October 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, PARKING BRAKE, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CONSUMER NOTICED A CHIRPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS THAT DISAPPEARED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRING TO. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF PROBLEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE: ROTORS AND PADS FRONT AND REAR, EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES, WIPER BLADES, MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE, OIL DIP DIP STICK, RIGHT AXLE BOOT,EMERGENCY BRAKE PIVOT, THE BACK GLASS NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE WERE 2 OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SHE WAS DESCRIBING SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS RELATED TO ONE OF THE RECALLS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136364September 29, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DT: THE FUEL GAUGE'S READING WAS INACCURATE. RECAL 97V194000L WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. . WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON SEPTEMBER 3,2005. THE INACCURACY OF THE FUEL GAUGE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO RUN OUT OF FUEL. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136025September 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWICE THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAD TO BE PUT BACK ON. IT HAD A DEFECT IN THE BODY FRAME. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 4-04, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS IN 4-05. CURRENTLY, ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. A MONTH AGO, ALL OF THE PADS ON FRONT AND REAR WERE REPLACED. THREE DAYS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE A SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THE CONTROL UNIT MODULE AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,300.00. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133765August 22, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FAILURE OF DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH, THE FASTENERS HAVE RIPPED THROUGH THE METAL OF THE DOOR CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED DOOR OPENING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS...THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR GRAND CHEROKEE'S, THERE ARE VERY FEW DRIVER'S DOOR THAT HAVE NOT FAILED...MY OPTIONS FOR REPAIR OF A POORLY DESIGNED COMPONENT ARE QUITE FEW AND NO ONE IS SHARING ANY INFORMATION...WITHOUT METAL TO SECURE THE LATCH TO THE DOOR I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO USE A BUNGIE CORD (NOT OSHA RATED...AT ALL) UNTIL THE DOOR CAN BE WELDED SHUT...THEN I HAVE A THREE DOOR TRUCK WITHOUT A WAY TO EASILY EXIT THE VEHICLE... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10130949August 2, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
(1)PRIOR TO BEGINNING A TRIP, MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE FLUIDS UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN CLOSED THE HOOD. I DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS WITH NO PROBLEMS. (2)THEN WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL, THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN AND CRASHED INTO MY WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LATCHES FOR THE HOOD HAD FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD, EXCEPT FOR A TINY AMOUNT OF THE WHITE LINE THAT I WAS ABLE TO SEE BELOW THE HOOD THAT WAS NOW RESTING UPON THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AS WELL AS NAVIGATE, USING THE WHITE LINE, AND GET THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THREE SMALL GIRLS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, WHO WERE ALL VERY FRIGHTENED. WITH THE HELP OF SOME PASSING MOTORISTS I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE HOOD BACK INTO PLACE, THOUGH THIS WAS QUITE DIFFICULT SINCE THE HINGES WERE NOW HYPER-EXTENDED. I SHOVED THE HOOD INTO PLACE AND CONFIRMED (SEVERAL TIMES) THAT IT SEEMED TO BE SECURE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION, THOUGH I WAS QUITE FRAZZLED BY THE TIME I ARRIVED. (3)THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AND THE HINGES ON BOTH SIDES. WE STRAIGHTENED THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE PROBLEM. IT IS MADE OF METAL THAT IS TOO SOFT AND BENDABLE FOR IT'S INTENDED PURPOSE. PER THIS DATABASE, OUR MODEL OF JEEP IS KNOWN TO HAVE HOOD LATCHES THAT FAIL. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL PUT INTO EFFECT YET. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND THE CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND COULD HAVE EASILY ENDED IN A TERRIBLE CRASH. LUCKILY EVERYTHING WORKED OUT AND NO ONE WAS HURT, EXCEPT FOR A MINOR COMPLAINT OF A CAR SEAT HURTING A LEG (IT PROTECTED MY DAUGHTER FROM GETTING THROWN IN OR FROM THE CAR). PLEASE CONSIDER HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE WHEN THE VISION OF THE DRIVER IS BASICALLY COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY THE HOOD COVERING THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THAT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131118August 2, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL GAUGE READS AS FULL WHEN EMPTY. THIS WAS ALREADY INVOLVED IN A RECALL OF MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE, BUT APPARENTLY NOT OF MY VIN NUMBER. I'D LIKE TO GET THE RECALL EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121718May 20, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT BEGAN JUMPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEALER, THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A SCREW THAT BROKE IN THE HANDLE CONTROL BOX.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121471May 5, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER LOCATED FOUR RECALL NOTIFICATIONS ON HIS 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED .***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ONLY ONE RECALL APPLIED TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM SENDING UNIT RECALL SHOULD ALSO APPLY SINCE HIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS SYMPTOMS OF THAT RECALL (RECALL# 97V194000). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107092March 8, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN THROTTLING WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK WHEN TURNING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER IT MAKES THE ENGINE THROTTLE UP AND STAY AT ACCELERATED SPEED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE HEAT OR AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN YOU START FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITH THE FAN ON, AFTER YOU ATTAINED THE SPEED YOU WANT AND TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATORTHE SPEED AND RPM WILL STAY THE SAME AND WILL NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE FAN OFF AT A COMPLETE STOP IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. UNDER HEAVY BRAKING THE BRAKES HAD A BAD PULSATION WHICH CAUSED THE ABS LIGHT TO COME ON. RADIO AND SPEAKERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112002February 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SINCE MID DECEMBER 2004, I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. IT HAS SINCE BEEN IN THE SHOP ON A WEEKLY BASIS, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE MOTOR HESITATING OR CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO HERE WE ARE $1400 LATER DRIVING OFF THE LOT AND THE CAR CUTS OFF TWICE BEFORE DRIVING 1/4 OF A MILE. THEY HAVE CLEANED THE THROTTLE PLATE TWICE, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, REPLACED A PRIMARY COIL TWICE, REPLACED THE O2 DOWNSTREAM SENSOR, REPLACED WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN THIS WEEK REPLACED THE O2 UPSTREAM SENSOR. AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HESITATION AND CUTTING OFF. THE ONLY RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS THAT WITH THIS MANY MILES I'M GOING TO BE NICKELED AND DIMED WITH REPAIRS. THE CAR HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS PRIOR TO DECEMBER. I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND AM NOT READY TO GIVE UP ON THIS CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS FEELING THAT THEY WOULD BE THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE CAR. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND HAVE IT CORRECTED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUGGESTIONS. I HAVE REQUESTED A PRINT OUT FROM SADLER THAT DETAILS ALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS CAR SINCE DECEMBER. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111759February 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHEN MAKING LEFT HANDS TURNS ON A HALF OF TANK THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110562February 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROARING SOUND AGAIN IN 3000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BEARINGS/SEALS AND BOTH AXLES BY DEALER. RECENT ROADTEST/INSPECTION BY DEALER CONFIRMS CONTINUED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF NEW BEARINGS AND AXLES. DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS NEW DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OR REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEE PAST ODI ID NUMBER: 10100860 POWER TRAIN:AXLE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110355February 11, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT LED TO A SPONTANEOUS FIRE IN MY AUTOMOBILE (JEEP) 2) IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109691February 3, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE BEARING FOR THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106663January 3, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V194000. DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE GAS TANK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099642December 7, 2004
STEERING
WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER TO THE LEFT. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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