1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints

PAINT IS FADING AND HAS STARTED PEELING, ALSO CHIPS VERY EASILY. EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS ALSO CRACKED. THE PAINT PROBLEM HAS BEEN STEADILY GETTING WORSE SINCE I FIRST NOTICED IT APPROX. (2) YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL LOUD AFTER THE MUFFLER WAS CHANGED, DEALER DIAGNOSED A CRACKED EXHAUST MUFFLER. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WHO WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THE FACTORY PROBLEMS. THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TO OLD AND HAD TO MANY MILES ON IT. *TR

I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ( 1996 AND NEWER JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE )EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THEY DEVELOP AN EXHAUST LEAK, WHERE THE WELD OF THE 2 EXHAUST PIPES OFF OF THE ENGINE MEET THE FLANGE ( LEAK AT WELD OF FLANGE ) FOR THE TRANSFER TO A SINGLE EXHAUST PIPE. I'VE JUST HAD A RECALL COMPLETED BY JEEP BECAUSE OF THE RATTLE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH I WAS TOLD POSED AN EMISSIONS QUESTION, BUT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK POSSES A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH EXHAUST LEAK OF HOT GASES OF CO, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *JB

WHILE BACKING SLOWLY AND TURNING, WE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON OUR 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED 5.2 LITER V-8. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FLY LOOSE, THE PUMP TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE PUMP TO FALL INTO THE RADIATOR FAN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND SPRAY ANTI-FREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE BRACKET SHOWED AN OLD FRACTURE AT THE BOLT HOLE NEAREST THE FIRST NUMERAL MOLDED INTO THE PART. AT A SALVAGE YARD A NEARLY IDENTICAL BRACKET FROM A 1994 MODEL OF THE SAME VEHICLE SHOWED THAT FAILURE WAS BEGINNING ON THAT PART IN PRECISELY THE SAME LOCATION. *TR

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE CUSTOMER HAD RECALL WORK DONE AND PAID OUT OF POCKET CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTION FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED MONEY**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE PROOF THAT PAYMENT WAS MADE FOR THE REPAIR, SHE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. *JB

ENGINE CUTS OUT OR HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING. PERIODICALLY(COULD BE MORE THAN ONCE A DAY) THE MOTOR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD. OFTEN HAVE TO WAIT APPROACH. 10 MINUTES AND WILL START. OFTEN AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT HIGH SPEED THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT AND MAY RESTART IMMEDIATELY(SECONDS) AND OCCASIONALLY MUST PULL OFF OF HIGHWAY AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. RECALL ON PCM ; TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT IT MIGHT BE PCM , BUT PROBLEM HAS WORSENED SINCE RECALL ON PCM WAS PERFORMED. AT LEAST 20 FAILURES. PERHAPS MORE. *JB

CONSUMER HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. WITHIN DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE.*TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD EFFICIENCY FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AGAIN BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AND ORIGINAL OEM PART. *NM

CAR PURCHASED SUMMER OF 2002. WITHIN TWO YEARS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD PART FAILED CAUSING RUMBLING NOISE WHEN CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING AND SLIGHT SMELL OF EXHAUST. HAD A MICHIGAN CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACE THE PART WITH A NEW GENUINE JEEP EXHAUST MANIFOLD PART. NEW PART TODAY IS FAILING AGAIN. TOLD BY MECHANIC PART WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS PART IS ONE HE HAS SEEN FAIL CONSTANTLY ON JEEPS. MECHANIC EXPLAINED PART BREAKS DOWN FROM HEAT/COLD EXPANSIONS AND WHEN THE EXHAUST IS REMOVED THE PART IS IN PIECES. I AM SENDING THIS COMPLAINT AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FROM CHRYSLER ON A PART THAT IS IMPORTANT RELATING TO ENGINE EXHAUST THAT CANNOT BE CHANNEL THROUGH THE EXHAUST PIPES SAFELY SINCE THE MANIFOLD IS BEING MADE TO BREAK DOWN WITHIN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. CHECK OTHER VEHICLES (I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER NAMED AUTOS) AND YOU WILL FIND THIS PART IS NOT BEING REPLACED EVERY YEAR. HOW CAN AN EMISSIONS TEST BE ACCURATE IF THE EXHAUST IS NOT BEING CHANNELED THROUGH IT'S SYSTEM? THE EXHAUST SMELL IS RIGHT BY THE FRONT CAR DOORS, WHERE THE MANIFOLD PART IS FAILING. I HOPE YOUR DEPARTMENT WILL LOOK INTO THIS EXHAUST PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANS. *JB

1996 GRAND CHEROKEE HOOD STRUCK WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE HOOD LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. *NM

RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V136000 DEALER IS STALLING TO DELAY MAKING REPAIRS. *NM

JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, MY 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO ENCOUNTERED A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. AS I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PROCURING A REPLACEMENT PUMP, A FRIEND TOLD ME TO CHECK FOR RECALLS/TSB'S ON IT AS HE HAD EXPERIENCED MANY FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH THESE. THERE WERE, I BELIEVE TWO TSB'S INVOLVING MY VEHICLE SO I CALLED CHRYSLER. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE IF THE PROBLEM WAS THE PUMP. I TOLD HER I HAD ALREADY DONE THAT. SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO DETERMINE IT AND IF IT WAS THE PUMP, CHRYSLER WOULD COVER THE REPAIR. I HAD IT TOWED TO CHRYSLER ($65) AND THEY INDEED FOUND IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT AND I WAS CHARGED OVER $600 FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER THE FACT, CHRYSLER DECLINED TO PAY FOR WHAT THEY PROMISED. I HAD FOUND A REPLACEMENT PUMP THAT I WAS PREPARED TO INSTALL MYSELF FOR $163 AND HAD CHRYSLER BEEN HONEST AND DECLINED TO COVER THE REPAIR, I WOULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IT MYSELF FOR $163 AND BEEN ABLE TO GO ON VACATION TO THE OUTER BANKS INSTEAD OF PAYING ALMOST $700 AND HAVING TO CANCEL MY VACATION. I HAVE CONTACTED , EMAILED, ETC MANY PEOPLE AT CHRYSLER TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT WHEN YOU DEAL WITH CHRYSLER, YOU BETTER GET IT IN WRITING! PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!. *NM

PAINT IS PEELING FROM VEHICLE HOOD AND ROOF. *JB

POOR PAINT QUALITY. PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF THE CAR. *NM

REAR MAIN CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL FAILURE RE: SERVICE BULLETN,DATED 3/15/96 NHTS REFERENCE NO 5423

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT JULY 2, 2005 HE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND THE GAS TANK FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A INCIDENT REPORT #4403-05 WITH THE SIOUX FALLS FD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE WHERE HE DID BUSINESS. THE REAR PASSENGER STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE TANK THE OTHER STRAP RUSTED AS WELL. THE STRAPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. HE STILL HAS ONE OF THESE STRAPS. THERE IS A JEEP FILE NUMBER 13747938. JEEP WAS NOT COMPENSATING DUE TO AGE AND MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED AFTER IT FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM HIS SON WHO ORIGINALLY LEASED IT FROM BAXTER JEEP IN OMAHA, NE.*AK

DT CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, THEN 2 BOLTS BROKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER BOLT LOCATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BROKE AS WELL. TWO JEEP DEALERS SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. *JB BOTH CV BOOTS ARE BROKEN AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *TT *NM

HEATER HOSE JAMMED ACCELERATOR LINKAGE CAUSING RUNAWAY VEHICLE AT VERY HIGH SPEED...SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID COLLISION...BRAKES WERE INSUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS JAMMING CAUSED ENGINE RPM'S TO GO VERY HIGH [APPROX. 5000 RPM].

RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V053000, CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, WENT INTO THE HOUSE, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND STRUCK A TREE, DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT/ LIFT REAR DOOR, AND BUMPER. CONSUMER DID NOT REMEMBER RECEIVING RECALL FOR INADVERTENT MOVEMENT. *AK THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD IT'S POSITION WHEN PLACED IN PARK. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PERFORM THE RECALL BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE BODY DAMAGE BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE CONSUMER NEGLECTED TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. *TC

I WAS TOLD THAT ALL EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ON THE STRAIGHT 6 CYLINDER MOTOR DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION DUE TO STRESS AND THE REPLACMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN REENGINEREED TO "FLEX". I FEAR MILD TO SEVERE CARBON MONOXIDE CONTAMINATION OF THE INTERIOR CABIN COULD OCCUR COMMON COMPLAINTS OF HEADACES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS VERY EXPENSIVE $900 EST. THAT MANY CONSUMERS TAKE A CHANCE AND DO NOT MAKE REPAIRS. *AK

TAILGATE LATCH ON 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE HAS FAILED, WON'T UNLOCK. *NM

1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE FRONT CV AXLES, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REBUILT, TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AND NEW FILTER AND NEW PVC GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WRONG SIZE TIRES BEING INSTALLED (TOO SMALL). *TT

THE GAS TANK IS MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH CLOGS THE FUEL PUMPS. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS LEFT HER STRANDED THREE TIMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE THAT IT WAS THE GAS SHE WAS USING.*AK

DURING IMPACT ACCIDENT,HIT DEER, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING CHEMICAL BURNS AND INJURIES TO LOWER EXTREMITY. *AK

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, IT STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH IMPACT TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE FRONT GRILL WAS PUSHED INTO THE ENGINE. *AK *SC

AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVEWAY, REMOVING THE CHILDREN, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE GOING DOWN THE HILL AND RAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NHTSA RECALL 02V053000. CONSUMER MOVED AND NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. *AK

BOTH HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE SO DISCOLORED AND FOGGY THAT IT CUTS DOWN NIGHT TIME DRIVING VISIBILITY TO LESS THAN 50% OF ITS ORIGNAL BRIGHTNES/. 996 JEEP GRAND,CHEROKEE, 4FX58S3TC335842. *AK

THIS COMPLAINT WAS SENT BY A WEB USER VIA E-MAIL. WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BECAUSE CONSUME R WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LATCH INSIDE THE DRIVER'S DOOR BROKE OFF FROM DOOR FRAME BY ITSELF, WAS HANGING, AND NOT CONNECTED. WHEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOOR IT WOULDN'T SHUT. CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $1636.75 TO REPLACE THE DOOR AND LATCH. *AK *TC

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR POPPED OPEN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AFTERMARKET BODY SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE WELD, WHICH WAS VERY THIN THAT CAUSED THE LATCHES TO POP OFF INSIDE THE DOOR. *AK *SC

I HAVE A 96 GRAND CHEROKEE LTD 4X4 WITH 115K MILES. SINCE IT TURNED 65K MILES I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND DRUMS 3 TIMES. I HAVE WATER LEAKS IN THE SEAT BELT WELLS, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, AND THE BELTS ARE WET WHEN IT RAINS. TODAY, WATER IS POOLING IN THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WATER POURS FROM JUST ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR. MUST BE FROM A/C?THE REAR DOOR HATCH HAS JAMMED IN LOCK POSITION. THE ELECTRONIC MILEAGE/ FUEL READOUT (ON CEILING MODULE) FLUCTUATES WILDLY AND IS INACCURATE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AT 64,975 MILES. NOW HAVE A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, QUOTED $1200 BY DEALER TO REPAIR. I HAVE GONE THROUGH STOCK 3 RADIOS, TUNER PROBLEMS. MASSIVE A/C PROBLEMS IN PAST. I PAID A NON DEALER TO REPAIR IT, THE REPAIRS HELD FOR 30 DAYS AND SAME PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THEN HAD DEALER REPAIR AND IT WAS A RECALL ITEM SO WAS COVERED AFTER I'D PAID FOR 2 PREV REPAIR JOBS AT $1100 TOTAL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AT 90K MILES. REPLACED SO MANY OTHER PARTS, I'D HAVE TO REFER TO THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR MORE DETAILS. THIS LIST IS ONLY FROM MEMORY. TOTAL COST OVER 3 YRS....AROUND $4000! OH, AND THE REAR HATCH/DOOR PAINT IS FADED AND DULL, TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. ALL BLACK METAL PAINTED PARTS PAINT IS COMING OFF. HAS BEEN FOR COUPLE OF YEARS. ALSO THE ROOF RATTLE REALLY LOUD AT OVER 50MPH. THE POWER OUTLET CAME APART STILL ATTACHED TO MY PHONE CORD ONE DAY. FINALLY, THE FRONT END HAS SOME PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE? AND WILL COST APPROX $700

THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A MAIL BOX . AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL FOR THE EXISTING CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS WORN. *JB RECALL# 02V053000. *SC

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF A DRIVER HAS NOT PLACED THE SHIFTER LEVER FULLY INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE REARWARD AFTER SEEMING TO BE STABLE. THIS RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON 2003 AND FAILED. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS WHILE IDLING IN PARK GEAR AND THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT EXAMINE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK *JB

DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND DRIVERS DOOR POPS OPEN AND WON'T SHUT. HAVE TO PULL OVER IN A HURRY TO AVOID ACCIDENT. FOUND DOOR LATCH HANGING FROM DOOR FRAME. WEAK WELD OF LATCH HAD GIVEN WAY AND DOOR POPPED OPEN. VERY DANGEROUS. LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP COULDN'T HELP FINANCIALLY OR OTHERWISE AND SENT ME TO A BODY SHOP. BODY SHOP SAID THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM ON CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. THEY USE A CHEAP METAL AND WELDING TO ATTACH DOOR LATCH. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REFUNDED THE $1800 IT IS COSTING ME TO REPLAC THE ENTIRE DOOR. CAR IS A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. I WOULD THINK THIS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS.*AK

ENGINE DID NOT RUN DUE TO FUEL TANK COATING COMING OFF. THIS COATING IS THERE TO PROVIDE ADDED ASSURANCE THAT THERE BE NO FUEL LEAK (AND A FIRE) IF THE PLASTIC WALL OF THE TANK LEAKS (ON ITS OWN OR AFTER A CRASH). THUS THERE IS A FIRE SAFETY HAZARD.*AK THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THE TANK (EVEN AFTER 3 RECURANCES OF THE ENGNE RUNNING PROBLEM, DUE TO THE COATING COMING OFF THE TANK WALL AND CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTER AND - IN 1 CASE - EVEN THE FUEL PUMP). THEY, INSTEAD, FLUSH THE TANK (REMOVING EVEN MORE COATING) AND RE-INSTAL IT. I AM NOW USING A TANK WITH PROBABLY VERY LITTLE FIRE-PROTECTION COATING. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE MAIN BOLTS SHEARING OFF FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX. *AK

I HAVE A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED WHICH I TOOK INTO THE SHOP FOR OPTIONAL MAINTENANCE WHILE I WAS AWAY ON VACATION. MERELY ONE DAY AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR, MY POWER STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. I LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME IN A 35MPH ZONE, AND HAD NOT GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY AT THAT POINT. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO A POINT IN THE ROAD THAT CURVED IN AND GOT THE VEHICLE HAPHAZARDLY TO THE CURB WHERE I CALLED AAA. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD JUST DONE THE MAINTENANCE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THE STEERING BRACKET/PUMP COME FULLY AWAY FROM AN ENGINE BEFORE. NOT HAVING ANY OPTIONS, I HAD THEM REPAIR AND REPLACE WHATEVER PARTS WERE NECESSARY. BUT I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS HAPPENED, AND I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED OR INJURED INCLUDING ME. BECAUSE THIS IS (IN THE WORDS OF THE SERVICE MANAGER) AN "EXTREMELY RARE" OCCURANCE WHICH THEY HAD "NEVER SEEN BEFORE", I HAVE TO SUSPECT ONE OF TWO THINGS, 1. EITHER FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON THE PART OF JEEP, OR 2. TAMPERING BY THE MECHANIC TO CAUSE FAILURE. IF THIS OCCURED REGULARLY, THERE WOULD BE DEATH TOLLS IN THE THOUSANDS EVERY DAY FROM LOSING ALL STEERING ON ONE'S VEHICLE. THE STEERING MALFUNCTION ALSO CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE TO MY COOLING SYSTEM AND MY FAN COVER DUE TO THE SERPENTINE BELT COMING LOOSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING THE BELT SPUN AROUND FREELY AT ABOUT 1000 RPMS ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE GEAR. PROCEEDED TO GO DOWN HILL AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE/ TREE, AND STOPPED ON IMPACT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *LA

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH FOOT ON GAS CAUSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WITHOUT WARNING. CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. THIS ALSO OCURRED IN MARCH, 2003. THE SAME SENSOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN WITHOUT THIS SENSOR, AND THERE IS NO SAFTEY DEFAULT MODE PROVIDED TO THE COMPUTER TO KEEP VEHICLE RUNNING IF CRANK SENSOR CIRCUIT FAILS.*AK

I WAS HAVING BRAKE TROUBLE WITH THE CHEROKEE AND FOR A MONTH I KNEW I HAD TO GET BRAKE PADS ON MY TRUCK 1996 GRAND CHEROKEE. ON AUGUST 21, 2003 I WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GAIN IT BACK I WENT UP ON TWO AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN THE TRUCK OVER THREE TIMES AND I CAME OUT OF THE SEAT BELT AND LANDED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I DID HAVE ON MY SEAT BELT BUT CAME UP OUT OF IT. I THINK THE ROTORS MAY HAVE BEEN CORRDID AND HELPED WITH THE ACCIDENT MY SECOND CONCERN IS HOW I WAS ABLE TO COME OUT OF THE SEATBELT AND BECOME SEVERELY INJURED. I SHATTERED MY LEG AND HAD TO RELEARN TO WALK. I JUST WENT THROUGH MY SECOND SURGERY PERTAINING TO THIS ACCIDENT. WHAT STEPS DO I NEED TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE SEATBELT ISSUE AND THE FACT THAT IT DIDNT SECURE ME FROM THE ACCIDENT. MY HEAD STILL WENT INTO THE WINDSHILED AND I THINK SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH THE AIR BAGS AS WELL BECAUSE THEY WERE TORN BY THE TIME THE TRUCK STOPPED ROLLED AND MY HEAD ISTILL WENT INTO THE WINDOWSHIELD AND WAS CUT UP BAD. *AK

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, I IMMEDIATELY HEARD A BANG FOLLOWED BY LOUD CLANGING UNDER THE HOOD. I BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND NOTICED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AT THIS POINT I ESTIMATED THAT THE BELT HAD BROKEN AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. ON EXAMINING UNDER THE HOOD THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY WAS VISIBLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE FAN. CLOSER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET WAS BROKEN INTO THREE PIECES. I ALSO HAVE ONE BOLT SHEERED OFF WITH THE STUD STILL STUCK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. I HAVE ACQUIRED A REPLACEMENT PART BUT THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT BOLT WAS OUT OF STOCK. BEFORE REPAIRS CAN PROCEED, I WILL NEED TO DRILL THE EXISTING BOLT OUT, POSSIBLY HAVING TO REMOVE THE CYLINDER HEAD ASSY TO GAIN THE PROPER ACCESS. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES RESULTED, THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION AND THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT TIME THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE. *JB

FOR YEARS WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HEATING UP EVERY SUMMER. AS SOON AS THE AIR CONDITIONING GOES ON THE CAR HEATS UP. AND EVERY YEAR WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT. NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE A COPIES OF ALL OF OUR BILLS. IT'S HOT AGAIN AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM AGAIN. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S FRONT ROTORS WERE STARTING TO PIT AND CORRODE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL # 00 V 136 000. *NM BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL REPAIR ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEY'RE CLAIMING THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WAS NOT IN OHIO WHEN RECALL WAS ISSUED. *LA

I HAVE A 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 4X4 WHICH HAS HAD 5 FUEL PUMP MODULES AND ONE GAS TANK REPLACED SINCE 08.10.2000. THE VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF ANOTHER FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE DEALERS HAVE DIFFICULTY IN REPLICATING THE CONDITION. THE FUEL GAUGE IS PROVIDING FALSE READINGS; TYPICALLY GIVING AN EMPTY TANK READING WHEN FULL, 3/4 FULL OR 3/4 EMPTY. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM NUMEROUS OTHER GRAND CHEROKEE OWNERS. I WOULD THINK THE MAKER/DEALER WOULD HAVE SPOTTED A TREND BY NOW OR IS OVERLOOKING IT BECAUSE OF THE COST INVOLVED WITH FINDING A NEW VENDOR. ALL RECEIPT COPIES OF WORK PERFORMED CONCERNING THIS MATTER ARE INTACT. *JB

THE BULBS THAT ILLIMINATED THE SWITCH ENABLING THE CONSUMER TO TURN ON THE FOG LIGHT, DIM THE PANEL LIGHT, AND LOCATE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, BURNT OUT. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AND UTILIZE THE COMPONENTS. THE BULBS COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR AFTER MARKET.*AK

1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY CHECK THE SYSTEM AND FILL ALL THE FLUIDS, BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. *CB

SECOND GEAR IS SLIPPING. SOME OF THE SEALS ARE LEAKING. ONE OF THE GEARS ARE STRIPPED.

MY JEEP HAS BEEN REALLY LOUD FOR SOMETIME AND IS GETTING LOUDER. IT IS WHEN YOU START IT UP (REALLY BAD) AND THE WHOLE TIME IT'S RUNNING. I ASK MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO TRY A HEAT RISER. WHEN WE WENT TO THE JEEP DEALER TO ORDER IT, THE PARTS GUY SAID WE COULD TRY THE HEAT RISER, BUT MORE THAN LIKELY IT WAS A CRACKED/BUSTED MANIFOLD. WHEN WE LOOKE, THE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED IN TWO OR THREE PLACES. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL MECHANICS IN MY AREA...THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING....MANIFOLDS ON THESE JEEPS ARE BAD ABOUT CRACKING. THE MANIFOLD LISTS FOR $431 AND THEY SAY ABOUT $200 TO PUT ONE IN. PLUS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT'S NO GOOD TO FIX THE ONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER BY WELDING IT, BECAUSE IT WILL CRACK AGAIN. THE SUGGESTION I AM GETTING IS TO BUY A NEW AFTERMARKET MANIFOLD...ALL THE MECHANICS SAY THEY WORK BETTER BECAUSE THEY HAVE 2 PIECES ON THEM THAT GIVE FOR EXTRA SUPPORT. I THINK THIS IS REALLY SAD. ONE SINGLE MECHANIC IN THE SMALL TOWN I LIVE IN HAS REPLACED AT LEAST 5 IN THE PAST YEAR. I THINK THIS IS OVERWHELMING! THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THIS PART TO ME.

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOESN'T CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. THIS IS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *MR

ON DECEMBER 12, 2003, FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS, THE FUEL PUMP ON OUR JEEP FAILED. IN DISCUSSING THE FAILURE WITH TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEN WITH OUR LOCAL JEEP DEALER, I WAS ADVISED THAT JEEP HAD DETERMINED THAT THE GAS TANK FOR THIS VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO CORROSION WHEREBY MINUTE PARTICLES FLOAT IN THE TANK AND CAN TRAVEL INTO THE FUEL PUMP (THE FILTER THAT JEEP PUTS IN THESE CARS IS NOT DESIGNED TO TRAP THESE SMALL PARTICLES) CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO FREEZE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE JEEP DEALERSHIP THAT A TSB WAS ISSUED IN 1997 REGARDING THIS FAILURE (I BELIEVE IT IS TSB 140697). I NOTE THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 42 REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON YOUR WEBSITE. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT JEEP HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR.*AK

MY 1996 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED, WILL NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE IT'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED AND LEAKS EXHAUST GASES. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG GRAND CHEROKEE OWNERS WITH THE 6 CYLINDER, 4 L ENGINE. THE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO A STRESS CRACK THAT DEVELOPED FROM UNEVEN EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THE LOCAL JEEP/CHRYSLER DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE PART FAILS IN ALMOST ALL 6 CYLINDER JEEP CHEROKEES AND THAT THE PRESENT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE REDESIGNED NOT TO BREAK FROM STRESS CRACKS FROM NORMAL HEATING. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM, HAS REDESIGNED IT, AND IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE SAFETY FAILURE. THE REPLACEMENT EXPENSE FOR THIS SAFETY INSPECTION FAILURE IS VERY HIGH. ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD BY THE DEALER IS $1100 TO $1200. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT A GREAT PERCENTAGE OF GRAND CHEROKEES WITH THE 6 CYL., 4 L., ENGINE EXPERIENCED A SAFETY DEFECT FROM A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS MY THIRD JEEP AND FOR THE PRICE PAID I EXPECTED HIGHER QUALITY AND A SAFER VEHICLE. *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING IN DRIVEWAY. *MR THE VEHICLE STRUCK A LARGE TREE. *SCC *JB