Page 26 of 26 · complaints 1,251–1,295 of 1,295

2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 12, 2004AZ

WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 12, 2004250 milesPA

VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD DEALER HAD NO ANSWERS. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. EVEN WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOWLY IT WOULD NOT STOP. *AK WHILE THE CONSUMER DESCENDED GRADES OR HILLS THE ABS WOULD ACTIVATE. THE CONSUMER WOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. *NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Aug 12, 20045,000 milesNC

DURING A 50 MPH REAR END VEHICLE COLLISION, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDED MORE INFORMATION. *JB

Service Brakes, Air › AntilockCrash
Filed Aug 9, 20041,904 milesGA

BRAKES FAILED ON MY NEW 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WHEN GOING TO PARK HIT A POLE. PUMPED THEM UP AND TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WITHIN NEXT WEEK AT SLOW SPEEDS BRAKES FAILED 3 MORE TIMES CALLED AWRECKER AND TRADED IT IN AFTER DEALER STILL COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER KEEPING IT 5 DAYS. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 3, 200446,019 milesFL

FRONT POWER WINDOWS FALLING DOWN. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Jul 28, 2004CA

WE PURCHASED A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHEN TRAVELING IN CRUISE CONTROL IN OVERDRIVE AND COMING TO AN INCLINE, VEHICLE SHIFTS DOWN TO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR THEN IMMEDIATELY BACK TO CONVENTIONAL HIGH. WE HAVE TAKEN THE JEEP BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. THIS JEEP HAS 17,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jul 28, 2004CA

WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 50 MPH THE CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 23, 2004GA

COMPLAINT REGARDING SMOKER'S KITS IN 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. *MR THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR AN ASH TRAY SO THE MANUFACTURER SENT THE CONSUMER A SMOKER'S KIT. THIS CUP WAS TO BE PLACED IN THE SMALLER OF THE TWO FRONT CUP HOLDERS IN THE CONSOLE. THIS INADEQUATE ASHTRAY WAS AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS TO USE. *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 23, 2004MI

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.*MR THE CONSUMR FEELS THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITHT HE BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY AND WITH STEADY PRESSURE, WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TOTHREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. TWO OF THE DEALERS INDICATED TAT THE SYSTEMS WAS OPERATION NORMALLY. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BUT THAT DIDN'T ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 17, 200426 milesMI

BRAKES REAL SOFT AND SPONGY. AT A STOP THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BOTTOM OUT WITH A STEADY FOOT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON ONE OCCASSION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OUT POINT WITH VARY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. WHEN I PULLED FORWARD AND APPLIED THE BRAKE AT ABOUT 15 MPH THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED. AFTER GOING FORWARD AND STOPPING A COUPLE OF TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME BACK TO WHAT THE DEALER CALLS NORMAL. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AIR GETTING INTO THE SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS AND MET WITH A CHRYSLER TECH REP TO NO AVAIL. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jul 6, 20044,000 milesCT

THE IDLING WAS SET TOO HIGH. WHEN RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE COULD MOTION BY ITSELF UP TO 10 MPH IN EITHER DRIVE OR IN REVERSE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE COMPUTER SETTING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jul 2, 200410,000 milesNH

BRAKE DISC WARPING AND CAUSING PULSATION. FIRST OCCURRENCE AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES. SECOND HAS JUST STARTED AT 16,000 MILES.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Jun 30, 2004OH

I HAVE A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND WHEN TRAVELLING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH AND START UP A STEEP GRADE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE INTO 3RD GEAR, THEN IMMEDIATELY SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THIS SITUATION OCCURS. WHEN THIS SHIIFING OCCURS THE ENGINE RPM GOES FROM ABOUT 1600 RPM TO 4000 RPM. IF THE ROAD WERE NOT TOTALLY DRY OR IF YOU APPROACH A CURVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS A PERSON COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 6/30/2004 AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL.*AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 29, 20049,000 milesCA

THE OWNER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHILE WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HERS TO PROCEED THROUGH A GATE. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *NM *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jun 29, 2004500 milesNJ

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH A OBD-II CODE OF P0456.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 23, 200417,800 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND DEFORMED. THE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 23, 200416,000 milesMI

CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLABLY WHEN BRAKING. HARD TO COME TO A STOP. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THE ROTORS ARE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR. OTORS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. CHRYSLER STATES THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE IT IS OVER 12000 MILES. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 2004MI

I PURCHASED MY 2004 GRAND JEEP CHEROKE ON MAY 1, 2004 AND I FIND OUT TODAY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PUT ON THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 24 AND THE COMPANY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THAT WAS DEFECTED AND THEY KNEW IT. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS DEFECT BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD.*AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 23, 20044,000 milesCO

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT THE VEHICLE TO CLEAR THE GARAGE A LOUD ROAR WAS HEARD. ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD, COLLIDING WITH A MOVING VAN. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR NECK INJURIES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS NOT SUMMONED, AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 23, 2004GA

2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO DOES NOT HAVE A CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR AN ASH TRAY.*MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER A CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY WOULD BE MAILED TO HIM AND HE COULD INSTALL IT HIMSELF. FIVE DAYS LATER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A PACKAGED WHICH CONTAINED THE NORMAL LIGHTER AND A SMALL BLACK PLASTIC CUP WITH A LID FOR THE ASH TRAY. THE CUP WAS TO BE PLACED IN THE SMALLER OF THE TWO FRONT CUP HOLDERS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ASH TRAY WAS INADEQUATE BUT AWKWARD TO LOCATE AND DANGEROUS TO USE SINCE IT WOULD TAKE THE DRIVERS ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD. *JB

Steering › Column
Filed Jun 16, 2004MS

STEERING NOISE AND POPPING. *AK

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jun 12, 20047,000 milesWA

TRANSMISSION COMING OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE IDLING. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jun 2, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A HILL CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2004FL

PURCHASED 3/04, IN FOR SERVICE 5/04 X2 AT 1ST DEALERSHIP FOR ROUGH IDLE IN PARK AND IN GEAR AT STOP. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE NO PROBLEM, REC CALLING CHRYSLER CUST SERVICE, REFERRED TO 2ND DEALERSHIP, SAME COMPLAINT, DIAGNOSTICS INDICATE NO PROBLEM. WAS TOLD "THAT IS HOW THAT ENGINE RUNS"*AK ENGINE FEELS AS IF IT WILL STALL OUT AT STOP OR PARK. CHRYSLER OFFERING NO HELP AT THIS TIME OTHER THAN REFERRAL TO DISTRICT MANAGER WHICH WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL END OF MONTH.(JUNE) APPEARS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS LOGGED ABOUT THIS, YET CHRYSLER/JEEP UNWILLING TO FIX PROBLEM. VEHICLE ALSO PULLS TO RIGHT, WAS TOLD "THAT'S HOW IT IS", ALSO LESS THAN AVE GAS MILAGE.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed May 17, 20041,718 milesNY

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A LEAK IN THE FRAME OF THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER 1 NIGHT IN THE RAIN PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER THEN REPLACED A PIECE OF MOLDING ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT HARD RAIN TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE IS TRULY FIXED. *NM

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls2 injured
Filed May 12, 2004IA

MY WIFE AND I OWN TWO JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES, A '99 THE AN '04. IN 1999, JEEP CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THEIR GRAND CHEROKEES AND ONE DESIGN CHANGE POSES A SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN. MODELS PRODUCED STARTING IN 1999 ALLOW FOR THE WINDOWS IN THE BACK SEATS TO ROLL DOWN, LEAVING A GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE FRAME ON THAT PART OF THE WINDOW CLOSEST TO THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER. THE 1998 JEEP ALLOWED FOR THE WINDOW TO BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE FRAME WAS AT THE FRONT OF THE WINDOW, FURTHEST FROM THE PASSENGER. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WE HAVE ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND MY CHILDREN (AGES 2 AND 4) , ATTRACTED BY HAVING THE WIND HIT THEIR HAND, HAVE STUCK THEIR FINGERS BETWEEN THIS GAP AREA. WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP, THEIR FINGERS GET CRUSHED BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE FRAME. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED JEEP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WERE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT WAS WHETHER MY CHILDREN'S FINGERS WERE BROKEN. THEIR SOLUTION, USE THE WINDOW LOCKS ON THE DRIVER'S CONSOLE. HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY GUARANTEE THEIR HANDS ARE NOT IN THE WINDOWS BY TURNING AROUND AND CONTINUING TO LOOK AS I ROLL THE WINDOWS UP. THIS IS DISTRACTING AND NOT A SAFE COURSE OF ACTION. BUT THIS WAS THEIR RECOMMENDATION. MY WIFE AND I DID NOT PAY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR VEHICLES THAT CAUSE PAIN TO OUR CHILDREN. WHETHER THEY HAVE BROKEN THEIR FINGERS IS IRRELEVENT AND REALLY SHOWS A LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY BY

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed May 7, 2004SC

WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR DRIVESHAFT MADE A BANGING NOISE. WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WAS NOISY AS WELL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2004MN

CONSUMER UNAWARE WHETHER HER JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IS PART OF THE RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER HEARD THROUGH A MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO ENGINE STALLING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHETHER HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE MEDIA IS USUALLY NOTIFIED FIRST AND THAT IT WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AUTOMOBILE COMPANY AS TO WHEN THEY WILL NOTIFY THE CONSUMERS. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT SHE FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING HER VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT THE CONSUMERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS A RECALL IS INITIATED. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 21, 2004NJ

CONSUMER'S SON WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. THIS CAUSED HIM TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, KNOCK DOWN A FENCE, AND THEN KEEP GOING, ENDING UP CHOPPING DOWN A VERY LARGE TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND SON SUSTAINED BUMPS ON THE HEADS , BUT THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2004OH

MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SPECIAL EDITION STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS. IT HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN 5-10 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 12, 20047,650 milesNY

2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WARPED ROTORS AT 7800 MILES. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 7, 2004NJ

WHILE THE DRIVER WAS COMING OUT OF THE GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2004MO

ENGINE WOULD STOP RUNNING AT IDLE. *PH THE DEALER PLACED A CO-PILOT ON THE COMPUTER, HOWEVER IT SHORTED OUT, CONSEQUENTLY THE DEALER HAD NO IDEA AS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE GAS MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS POOR. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 19, 200430,000 milesGA

MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS A DEFECT IN THE ECM THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM CURRENTLY. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAS DIED AT STOP LIGHTS, IT HAS STUMBLED, AND/OR HESITATED UPON ACCELERATING FROM STOP, AND RUNS SO POORLY AT AN IDLE WHILE SETTING IT SHAKES THE WHOLE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2004 GRAND CHEROKEE'S. I WAS BASICALLY TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM RUNNING THE RISK OF MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IS BASICALLY AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN IF THE ENGINE SHOULD UNEXPECTEDLY DIE AT THE WRONG MOMENT WHEN ACCELERATING.*AK

Structure
Filed Mar 10, 2004NJ

HEIGHT OF VEHICLE UPON ENTRANCE IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH. EVERY TIME I GET INTO THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO CURVE MY BODY TO THE LEFT IN ORDER SO THAT I DO NOT HIT MY HEAD, AND IT HAS HAD A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON MY LOWER BACK AND MY UPPER BACK. I AM 5'3", HOW ARE PEOPLE TALLER THAN MYSELF GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING THEIR HEADS? I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A DEALER ISSUE, IT IS MORE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE!*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 2004380 milesNE

PURCHASED A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED EDITION ON 12/24/03. STALLS WHILE AT A STOP. STALLED ON 12/24/03, 1/14/04, 2/4/04, 2/29/04. DEALERSHIP TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR FOR THE 4TH TIME ON 3/8/04. CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. ON 2/29/04 STALLED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I FEEL IT WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT IS BRAND NEW AND QUALIFIES FOR THE LEMON LAW.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 20047,660 milesMI

I LEASED A BRAND NEW 2004 JEPP GRAND CHEROKEE AND WE DROVE IT OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROX 6,000 MILES ON IT, AS A MANAGER DROVE IT FIRST. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS AND IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE INCORRECTLY SHIFTS, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THEN A BURNING SMELL APEARS, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN IN FOR THE SAME THING, THEY SAY THE HAVE FOUND AND REPAIRED ANOTHER PART. THE LAST TIME AFTER IT WAS FIXED BEFORE I PICKED IT UP THE TECHNICIAN EVEN NOTED IT WAS STILL SHIFTING HARSHLY. TOO SAY THE LEAST IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP, AND STILL HAVING TO PAY THE LEASE PAYMENTS!*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 18, 2004NE

BOUGHT A 2004 JEEP "SPECIAL ADDITION" IN JUNE OF 2003, THE AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON WOULD NOT STAY ON. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THE PART WAS BACK-ORDERED. IT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS (WITHOUT AIR IN OUR NEW JEEP DURING THE SUMMER) FOR THE PART TO COME IN AND BE REPLACED. THIS JEEP PULLS DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, TOOK THIS SO CALLED TRAIL RATED JEEP ACROSS A FOOT 1/2 DEEP BY FIVE FOOT WIDE CREEK ON OUR PLACE (THAT WE DRIVE THROUGH ON A WEEKLY BASIS) A PIECE OF ICE BROKE THE METAL GUARD PIECE ON THE FRONT OF THE JEEP AND THE ICE LODGED UP AGAINST THE RADIATOR IN TURN DAMAGING THE RADIATOR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WE WERE WITHOUT OUR VEHICLE FOR 6 WEEKS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST EXPERIENCE WE HAVE EVER HAD PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE. *CB

Steering
Filed Jan 16, 2004200 milesAZ

THE ABILITY FOR STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, MOST NOTABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IS VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE A GAP OF SLOPPY SPACE IN THE STEERING. AFTER DRIVING MULTIPLE NEW 2004 GRAND CHEROKEES I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE DEGREE OF GAP OR SLOPPINESS VARIES BY VEHICLE. *CB

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Nov 2, 2003950 milesMD

MY 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS A COUPLE POWER OUTLETS; THEY LOOK ALMOST LIKE CIGARETTE LIGHTER RECEPTACLES. THE OUTLETS ARE MARKED "20A" INDICATING A 20 AMP CURRENT CAPABILITY. THE JEEP BOOK ALSO INDICATES THESE POWER OUTLETS ARE ABLE TO CARRY 20 AMPS, AND THE JEEP SHOP MANUAL CALLS THESE 20 AMP CIRCUITS. WHEN I DISASSEMBLED SOME TRIM TO INSTALL A 2-METER HAM RADIO, I SAW 2 VERY SMALL WIRES CONNECTED TO THE REAR POWER OUTLET. THE JEEP SHOP MANUAL SAYS THESE ARE 16 GAUGE WIRES. HERE IS THE PROBLEM: 16 GAUGE WIRES WILL NOT COME NEAR THE ABILITY TO HANDLE 20 AMPS OF CURRENT. IN FACT, 16 GAUGE WIRE CURRENT CAPACITY IN A CABLE BUNDLE IS AROUND THE 5 OR 6 AMP AREA. MY HAM RADIO DRAWS 8 AMPS WHEN TRANSMITTING, AND WHEN PLUGGED IN THE JEEP POWER OUTLET, THE VOLTAGE DROP WAS THREE VOLTS. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THE WIRES CAN SEVERELY OVERHEAT AND BECOME A FIRE HAZARD IF THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE ADVERTISED 20 AMP CAPABILITY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW CHRYSLER/JEEP GETS AWAY WITH THIS. THERE IS A 20 AMP FUSE IN THIS CIRCUIT, SO ANYONE USING AN INVERTER OR OTHER ACCESSORY THAT ACTUALLY DRAWS 20 AMPS IS GOING TO SERIOUSLY OVERHEAT OR MELT THE WIRING BEFORE THE FUSE BLOWS. *LA

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Oct 22, 20036,000 milesMA

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, SHIFTED GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER CAR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *AK THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WOULD STOP THE BRAKES. *SCC *JB

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Oct 10, 20031,500 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CLOSED SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMER.*AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 21, 2003LA

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. *AK

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jul 11, 2003504 milesNY

WHEN DRIVER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT THE GARAGE. WHEN THE DRIVER RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE , IT WAS IN DRIVE. *AK PH *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 10, 200380 milesMA

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SIX TIMES AND COULD NO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *TS

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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