2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Complaint Log

I WAS SITTING IN MY JEEP WITH IT RUNNING AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER IN HER PICKUP AND MY NIECE WAS GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT START TO ACCELERATE. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND SLAMMED IT INTO PARK .IT WENT FORWARD ALMOST RUNNING OVER MY NIECE. IT LUNGED FORWARD WITH NOTHING STOPPING IT, AND THE RIGHT BACK TIRE LEFT SKID MARKS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE SOME ONE IS KILLED. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT,I T HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND DID WHAT IT WANTED AND I COULD NOT STOP IT. *JB

THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WENT PART WAY DOWN, IT THEN FAILED TO MOVE . YOU COULD HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING BUT THE WINDOW REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. THE FAILURE CAUSED RAIN AND DEBRIS TO ENTER THE WINDOW. THE ENTIRE REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH INCLUDED THE MOTOR BECAUSE A PLASTIC CAM BROKE. THE PART COST OVER $200 TO THE PUBLIC AND FAILED WITH LESS THAN 31000 MILES ON THE CAR BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY EXCEEDING THE THREE YEAR LIMIT. SAME UNIT ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR COULD CAUSE PROBLEM OF OBJECTS FLYING IN FACE OF DRIVER. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT HEATED SEATS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS RECALL 06V197000 FOR THE FRONT SEAT HEATER. THE DEALER ADDED THE CONTACTS NAME TO A WAITING LIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR ONE YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 MILES.*AK

I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT AGAINST CHRYSLER. I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW. WHAT IS BOTHERSOME TO ME IS THAT I NEVER PUT THIS WINDOW DOWN. NO ONE SITS IN THE BACK SEAT NOR DO I HAVE CHILDREN PUTTING THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTORS AS WELL. IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF WE START HOLDING COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS. *NM

I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED WITH 16,168 MILES. MY DRIVING PATTERN FOR THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN WITHIN DOWNTOWN CITY LIMITS AND CONNECTING FREEWAYS WHERE SPEEDS OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR ARE RARE DUE TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION. ON A RECENT INTERSTATE TRIP WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THEY PULSATED AND THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A JEEP DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE CAR HAD WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH THE REPAIR I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AT THEIR COST AS THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT AFFECTING 1999 THROUGH 2004 GRAND CHEROKEES. AFTER OVER AN HOUR ON THE, PHONE THEY AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT ROTORS AS A GOODWILL REPAIR ALBEIT WITH THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE ROTOR DESIGN. I LEARNED FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS IN ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND 1999 -2004 MODEL GRAND CHEROKEES. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A 100% FAILURE RATE. ANY ABNORMAL BRAKE OPERATION IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. STOPPING DISTANCE WILL BE INCREASED BY COMPROMISED INEFFICIENCY OF THE WARPED ROTOR AGAINST THE DISC. FROM A HUMAN FACTOR STANDPOINT THE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED AT A CRITICAL POINT IN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. INSTINCT MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO EASE OFF THE BRAKES TO REDUCE THE VIBRATION THEREBY RISKING A COLLISION OR LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEER INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER THERE IS AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THE FACTORY ROTORS. DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD ON THEIR OWN PROVIDED AN ENGINEERING CHANGE TO EXISTING REPLACEMENT ROTORS TO CORRECT THE HEAT PROBLEM AND IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. HAS THE MANUFACTURER FILED AN EARLY WARNING REPORT ON THE BRAKE PULSATION PROBLEM? *JB *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKES AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I BOUGHT A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO IN 2002 BRAND NEW. I NOW HAVE 42,000 MILES ON THE JEEP AND THE REAR SEAT BELT MECHANISM HAS BROKEN. I HAVE 3 GRANDCHILDREN THAT I HAUL BACK THERE EVERY WEEKEND. I CALLED SKYLAND OLDS WHERE I PURCHASED THE 30,000.00 VEHICLE,TOOK IT IN FOR AN ESTIMATE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR GAVE ME A BUSINESS CARD WITH "CENTER SEAT BELT $166.75 BEFORE TAX". I THEN CALLED HIM BACK TODAY AND ASKED HIM (JOHN LICKA) TO FAX ME A FORMAL ESTIMATE AND HE DID SO WHICH SAYS $84.00 LABOR AND $61.75 PARTS " FOR ANOTHER TOTAL OF 145.75 BEFORE TAXES. I CALLED THE JEEP CORPORATION AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART AND ME PAY FOR LABOR. I THEN SPOKE TO MR. SNYDER WHO IS THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MR. SIDESPINNER (GENERAL MANAGER) WHO INFORMED ME THAT SINCE I HAD 42,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE HE COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS ISN'T A MONEY ISSUE. BUT HE HAD THE ATTITUDE THAT AFTER 36,000 MILES,,OH WELL. THEY ARE PUTTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK BUT EVEN MORESO NOW, MY GRANDCHILDREN!!! MR. SIDESPINNER HAD THE MENTALITY THAT SO ARE BRAKES AND OTHER THINGS ON A VEHICLE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT WE AS CONSUMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THESE OTHER ITEMS. IS IT TO THE POINT NOW THAT WHEN WE HAVE OUR 36,000 MILE MAINTENANCE DONE, WE SHOULD HAVE ALL OUR SEAT BELTS REPLACED TOO? MR. LICKA DID INFORM JEEP CHRYSLER CORP. THAT IS WAS NOT ABUSED OR CAUSED BY ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS. DO WE WAIT FOR MANY PEOPLE OR CHILDREN TO DIE BEFORE WE GET A RECALL????? AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO DICTATE TO ME WHERE I HAVE MY JEEP FIXED. I ASKED THE JEEP REPRESENTATIVE (BOB AT 1-800-9921997 WITH REFERENCE # 15002480) HOW MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY HAD TO HAVE BEFORE HAVING A RECALL AND (SHRUG) HE HAD NO IDEA!!!!! I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT SKYLAND OLDS. AT 255 SMOKEY PARK HWY. IN ASHEVILLE N.C. 28816, PHONE 828-667-5213. I STARTED AT THE BOTTOM AND WORKED MY WAY TO THE TOP TO THE GENERAL MGR. AND THEY ACT AS IF IT'S NO BIG DEAL. *JB

BLEND DOOR FAILURE - IN ADDITION TO CREATING AN INTERIOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL PROBLEM, THIS CAN BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS NEEDED. REPAIR COSTS CAN EXCEED $1,000 SINCE THE DASH MUST BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THIS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE PART. *TR

2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO THE MODE CONTROL LOCATED ON THE VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING PANEL FAILED. THE KNOB CONTROL FUNCTIONS IN THAT IT WILL SHUT THE SYSTEM/FAN OFF BUT IT WILL NOT DIVERT THE AIR TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND HAS STUCK IN THE WINDSHIELD VENT POSITION ONLY. IN ADDITION THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS MALFUNCTIONED IN THAT WHEN THE CRUISE IS TURNED ON THE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATES BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO SET THE SPEED CONTROL IT DOES NOT FUNCTION. I AM NOT SURE IF THESE TWO SITUATIONS ARE RELATED BUT THEY BOTH SEEM ELECTRICAL. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO TRY AND SOLVE THE DIFFICULTIES. *NM

DROVE VEHICLE INTO GARAGE STALL. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, OPENED DRIVERS DOOR, LEFT DOOR OPEN AND VEHICLE RUNNING TO RETRIEVE PERSONAL ITEM FROM HOUSE, WENT TO WALK OUT GARAGE AND VEHICLE STARTED BACKING OUT GARAGE. DRIVERS DOOR CAUGHT ON GARAGE SUPPORT POLE, TWISTING DOOR AROUND TO FRONT FENDER AS IT PROCEEDED OUT OF GARAGE. DRAGGED MYSELF PAST TOOL BOX AND BY GARAGE DOOR. VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED DOWN DRIVEWAY, DID U-TURN PAST NEIGHBORS VEHICLES AND LODGED ON BOULDER IN NEIGHBORS FRONT YARD. WENT TO EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT, NO BROKEN BONES OR MAJOR INJURIES. SUSTAINED LOTS OF DEEP BRUISING, BAD SCRAPES AND SWELLING OF UPPER BODY, LEFT LOWER LEG, AND ARMS. *JB

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. TURNED OUT THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE HAD FALLEN OFF ITS CONNECTION. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ONLY HAS 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE CHEROKEE MODEL VEHICLES HAD FAILURES DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKES, AND THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLETO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/11/06, AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE OUT OF GROUND AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE. *AK

SINCE OCTOBER 2005 I HAVE HAD 3 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAIL. I HAVE REPLACED 2 AND CURRENTLY NEED THE 3RD REPLACED. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND ABSURD TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS IN LESS THAN A YEARS TIME. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2003 FOR 3 YEARS. IT HAS 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. IN MAY 2005, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR (THE COMPONENT THAT MAKES THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN) POPPED. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. IT ALSO OCCURRED AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2006; SAME SIDE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND AGAIN I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. IT IS NOW APRIL 2006 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR POPPED AND IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I WILL NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND GET IT REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE YET AGAIN. *NM

WINDOW REGULATOR IS FAULTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR IN WHICH I NEED TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR TO MAKE THE WINDOW GO UP AND DOWN. OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE ON MAY 2005, JANUARY 2006 DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BOTH TIMES AND APRIL 2006 PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. ALL THREE TIMES I HAVE PAID AT MY EXPENSE TO GET THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT FIXED. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. IN APRIL 2006 THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BEGAN LOCKING AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE END OF THE REEL TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT FOR PASSENGER USE. CURRENTLY, PRESSING THE END OF THE REEL NO LONGER REMEDIED THE FAILURE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT COULD OT BE USED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON APRIL 3, 2006 AT 21,294 MILES. THE CONTACT EMPHASIZED THAT NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE FACTORS IN THE BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR WORK PERFORMED THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. UPDATED 1/29/2007 - ALL FOUR ROTORS HAD WARPED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER POWER WINDOW IS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. I PURCHASED MY JEEP IN THE SUMMER 2003. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2004, THE AC WENT BAD AND STOPPED. I HAD IT QUOTED AND REPAIRED. NOW, IN THE FIRST QTR OF 2006, THE AC DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. I HAD IT QUOTED AND THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $650.00. THIS TIME, THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE TRAP DOOR AND FACE NOT WORKING. *NM

FRONT RIGHT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PART. FRONT LEFT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PART 10/4/2006. REAR LEFT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR DEFROSTING OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE BLEND DOORS FOR THE DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL OF A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAVE FAILED CAUSING THE HEATING SYSTEM TO NOT OPERATE AT ALL AND THE A/C SYSTEM TO OPERATE POORLY. *TR

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR OF OVERHEATING REPEATEDLY BUT, PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. AFTER CONTACTING SAID DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD DERIVE FROM ONE ZILLION AREAS. CONTACTED DIAMON-CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO TO NO AVAIL. *TR

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 23000 MILES. THE ROTORS WARPED BECAUSE OF HEAT BUILD UP DURING BRAKING,AND THE DEALER REPLACED THEM WITH VENTED ROTORS TO AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE. PADS AND ALL OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE FINE. I HAVE LEARNED OF SEVERAL OTHER JEEP GR CHER OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE THAT A CAR OF THIS SIZE SHOULD HAVE HAD VENTED ROTORS INSTALLED AT THE TIME IT WAS ASSEMBLED. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ON ONE COLD MORNING I HAD HEAT OUT OF THE MIDDLE VENTS AND COLD AIR OUT OF THE PASSENGER VENTS IT WAS THE BLEND DOORS THAT WERE BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOOK MY DASH COMPLETELY APART FIXED THE DOORS AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER FOR $650.00. *TR

FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FUMES MADE THE DRIVER NAUSEOUS AND MADE HER FEEL AS THOUGH SHE WAS GOING TO PASS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE HOSE. *TC VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE POWER WINDOW SHORTED OUT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HVAC BLEND DOOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON MY VEHICLE AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. JEEP NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

IN MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE THE HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT WORK. DRIVER SIDE WOULD BLOW HOT AIR BUT PASSENGER SIDE WOULD BLOW COLD. I JUST GOT IT FIXED TODAY AND THE PROBLEM WAS BLEND AIR AND RECIRCULATION DOORS BROKEN. *NM

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. AT LOW SPEEDS USING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD PULSATE SLOWLY FORWARD WHILE REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONDITIONS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE ESPECIALLY THE VIBRATIONS AND SHAKING AT HIGH SPEED BRAKING. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 19,000 (ROUGHLY) WHERE THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PADS. I ASKED WHY THEY ARE WARPED BEYOND SERVICEABILITY AND THEY STATED THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM. I WROTE TO DIAMLERCHRYSLER AS WELL TRYING TO GET SOME TYPE OF REFUND BACK AFTER SPENDING $550 ON THE PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING THAT I FEEL WAS A QUALITY ISSUE TO BEGIN WITH. THEY STATED ROTORS WARP DUE TO VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. I DISAGREE, IT IS POOR QUALITY MATERIALS BEING USED. THEY WILL LOSE MY BUSINESS OVER THIS. THE REASON I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE WAS TO AVOID COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A FEW YEARS. *NM

ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AUTOMATIC ZONE CONTROL STOPPED PUTTING OUT HEAT, ONLY COLD. THEN ABOUT 5000 MILES LATER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STOPPED PUTTING OUT HEAT ALTOGETHER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF ICE AND FOG. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE DURING HALF OF THE YEAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN, COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL PLACED FOR THE REPAIR. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ACTION TAKEN YET TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS SO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPAIRED. ($800 TO $1500). *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEED KEPT INCREASING WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. SHE TRIED TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE SWITCH WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE THROTTLE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

2003 JEEP LIBERTY BALL JOINTS REPLACED APPROX. 30,000 MILES UNDER MANUFACTURER RECALL, AT THAT TIME VEHICLE WAS MAKING SIGNIFICANT ROAD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. DEALER REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 66,000 MILES VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO FIND SOURCE OF FRONT END NOISE AGAIN, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE AND STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. APPROX. 71,000 MILES VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR SAME PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING WORSE. I HAD A FACTORY AUTHORIZED REPAIR TECHNICIAN GO ON A TEST DRIVE WITH ME ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. WITHIN ABOUT A MINUTE OF THE TEST DRIVE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY AND THAT HE BELIEVED THE RECALL HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO LIFETIME. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE THE MAJORITY OF THE DAY AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS LOOKED FINE. ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND, 2005 THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. FORTUNATELY IT WAS A SPEED OF UNDER 5 MPH AS WE WERE TURNING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION HAD COLLAPSED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP SUNDAY EVENING. CURRENTLY WAITING ON THE DEALERSHIP'S RESPONSE. THIS IS A REPEAT FAILURE AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT TO DATE THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. *NM

TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSES SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING. BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 7500 MILES AND NOW NEED REPLACING AGAIN AT 30000. THE DEALER SAYS THAT ALL 2003 JEEPS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT THE PROBLEM IS POOR DESIGN OF THE FACTORY ROTORS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT EMERGENCY STOPPING AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTION IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS. JEEP SAYS THAT THIS IS JUST A NUISANCE. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE?*JB

HEATER FAILS TO WORK ON ONE SIDE OF THE DASH CAUSING GREAT DISCOMFORT FOR THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES START HAPPENING. MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND COULDN'T BE JUMP STARTED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS A CORRODED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE LEAD. THE BATTERY CABLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $300.00. THE CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN COLORADO. I FINE IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT A BATTERY CABLE COULD CORRODE TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO BE REPLACED IN TWO YEARS. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE CABLE NOT CORROSION THAT CAUSED MY PROBLEM. *NM

DT: 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SIDEWALL DISINTEGRATED. THERE IS ONLY 31,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE TIRES WERE WEATHER ROTTED. THESE TIRES HAVE NEVER BEEN REPAIRED. THEY WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. GOODYEAR, P255/75R16. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO GOODYEAR. THERE WAS NO WRECK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED. IT IS A LEASED VEHICLE.*AK

BLEND DOOR BREAKAGE/FAILURE ON ELECTRONIC DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. *JB

IN AUGUST 2005, PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED (LOWER PULLEY BROKE ALLOWING CABLE TO BECOME ENTANGLED AROUND MOTOR DRUM). WINDOW FELL WITHIN DOOR HOUSING AND I HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH NO SIDE WINDOW IN A DOWNPOUR TO THE DEALER. VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 42K MILES. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY IN THAT VEHICLE HAS > 36K MILES. IN MAY 2006, DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. BOTH REPAIRS WERE FUNDED OUT OF MY POCKET. *NM

MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, WITH LESS THAN 33,000 MILES, WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE THIS YEAR, ON 9 FEB AND 26 JUL 2005. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT 2 DIFFERENT JEEP-CERTIFIED SERVICE FACILITIES, AND FOCUSED ON DECARBONIZATION CLEANINGS. BASED ON THE INVOICES AND MY OWN RESEARCH, IT'S CLEAR THIS PROBLEM HAS SEVERAL INTERRELATED FACTORS: MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRES, AND EXHAUST VALVE OBSTRUCTION WITH EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP. FURTHER, IT IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO SHORT-TRIP/CITY DRIVING. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT (NON-JEEP) ACE-CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTION. HIS FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE MISFIRES CONTINUE; THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM APPARENTLY PERSISTS. IN THE BIG PICTURE, JEEP DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN TSB-09-003-03, ENCOMPASSING A SPAN OF MODELS, FROM 1999 TO 2004, W/ 4.0L ENGINES. THE TSB PRESCRIBES A VALVE CHECK AND POSSIBLE CLEANING, BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MISFIRES AND CARBON BUILD-UP. IN THE SMALLER PICTURE, I MIGHT MENTION: THE JEEP REPRESENTATIVE A/W THE JULY REPAIR TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF USING 'CHEAP GASOLINE'. THIS THEORY IS NOT SUPPORTED BY ANYTHING I'VE LEARNED IN MY OWN RESERACH. IT IS JUST NOT FEASIBLE THAT GASOLINE GRADE COULD CAUSE SUCH AN EXTENT OF CARBON BUILD-UP TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, ESP WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I SHOULD PROBABLY ALSO ADD THAT I DON'T KNOW THE ABSOLUTE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF REFERENCE MATERIAL ONLINE ID'ING THIS AS A CHRONIC PROBLEM W/ GRAND CHEROKEE, YET NO CLEARCUT PERMANENT SOLUTION. I HAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT I STATE HERE, AND WILL BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP IN WRITING IF THAT WILL HELP. LASTLY- SINCE MOST OF MY VEHICLE USE IS SHORT-TRIP CITY DRIVING, I AM WORRIED THAT I MAY FACE LONG-TERM INCONVENIENCE, EXPENSE, AND SAFETY RISKS. MY INTENT IS NOT TO CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR JEEP- I SIMPLY WANT MY VEHICLE TO BE FUNCTIONING AND SAFE FOR MY FAMILY. *JB

2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED V-8 4X4 WITH CLIMATE CONTROL. THE HVAC FAN QUIT FUNCTIONING. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM, I WAS TOLD, WITHOUT THEM DOING ANY TEARDOWN, THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE HVAC WIRE HARNESS AND CONNECTOR BEHIND THE DASH TO OVERHEAT AND MELT DOWN. WITH THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IN 2005 AT OVER $1200 IN LABOR PLUS THE WIRING HARNESS AND A SET OF 3 AIR DOORS, I COULD NOT THEN NOR NOW AFFORD REPAIRS AND HAVE DONE WITHOUT HEAT OR COOLING EVER SINCE. TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE FROM THE DAMAGED WIRING, I REMOVED THE FUSE, WHICH I RECALL TO BE 40 AMPS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE FROM THE OVERHEATED WIRING IS JUST CAUSE FOR A RECALL TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND RELATED PARTS DAMAGED BY THE APPARENT SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATING. I ALSO SUSPECT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DAMAGED ALSO AS IT HASN'T FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE. *TR

THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 JEEP CHEROKEE WORE OUT IRREGULARLY.(NAR) *JB THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIMMY EXCESSIVELY ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. EACH TIME THE VIBRATION WOULD TAKE PLACE, THE FRONT ROTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF REPAIR MONIES. THE CHROME PEELED OFF OF THE WHEELS. *SC *JB

MY 23 MONTH OLD WAS ROLLING UP THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN HER LEFT HAND RING FINGER WAS CAUGHT IN THE POWER WINDOW, BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THE WINDOW WOULD NOT UNROLL. THE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO UNROLL.HER FINGER WAS CAUGHT INSIDE. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO PULL THE WEATHER STRIPPING ENOUGH TO UNROLL THE WINDOW. IT NEARLY SEVERED HER FINGER. HER FINGER WAS BROKEN AND CUT ALL THE WAY AROUND.

DT: THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBED THE CHASSIS WHICH RESULTED IN THE WIRES MELTING AND EXPOSING THEM WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FROM THE FUSE BOX AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FIXED. THE REAR WIPER DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A MAJOR SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. *JB

MY PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 9300 MILES. BRAKES PULSATING AND SHAKING IN THE STEERING. FRONT ROTORS WHERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. HAD FRONT ROTORS RESURFACED 2 TIMES AND REPLACED 1 TIME, ALL OCCURED UNDER 20,000 MILES. AT 21,000 MILES THE REAR ROTORS WHERE RESURFACED AND NOW I HAVE TO RETURN TO THE SERVICE CENTER FOR THE FIFTH TIME WITH 23000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE BRAKES ARE PULSATING AGAIN. FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED ON DEC.02 REGARDING FRONT BRAKES PULSATING DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION FOR 1999 TO 2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES. THIS IS DUE TO EXCESSIVE THICKNESS VARIATION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. OBVIOUSLY THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS IN 2003 MODELS AND DAIMLERCHYRSLER STILL REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ON MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TWICE NOW, AFTER HAVING THEM RE-SURFACED AS WELL - NONE OF WHICH JEEP WOULD COVER UNDER WARRENTY EVEN THOUGH "IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM".

DT: PRIOR TO FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT, AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE WAS BLOWN OUT. THE TIRES WERE FINE, AND AS I STARTED THE FRONT FELL OUTWARDS AND THE TIRE FELL SIDEWAYS. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND AN INVESTIGATOR FROM CHRYSLER IS LOOKING AT IT TODAY.

I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED, WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS AT LEAST FOUR TO FIVE TIMES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS NOW IN NEED OF NEW FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS AGAIN. EVERY TIME THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THEY HAVE BEEN DONE AT NO COST EXCEPT FOR THE LAST TIME. WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE PARTS AND THE DEALER PAID FOR THE SERVICE. THE DEALER AT THAT POINT ADVISED US THAT WE WERE ON OUR OWN AFTER THAT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE HAVE BEEN GREATLY INCONVENIENCED BY THIS AND DON'T FEEL THAT IT IS FAIR TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS SO OFTEN AFTER NORMAL USE. FURTHERMORE, WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT THIS AND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER HASN'T STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO DO ANYTHING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT AND THAT WE ARE ONE OF ONLY A FEW AFFECTED. PLEASE ADVISE

DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WHILE IN A PARKING AREA. *AK CONTACT AND HER SON WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTED ROLLING DOWN A HILL, THE VEHICLE HIT A POOL FENCE. THE SERVICE DEALER WOULD NOT SAY WHY THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. *AK *NM

DT: CONSUMER STATES: VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING, DOING ALMOST 70 MPH. NOTHING WORKED, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE ONLY THING WORKING WAS THE 4-WAY FLASHERS. TRIED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AND LOST POWER STEERING. ANOTHER TIME WENT TO TURN IN THE POSITION THE WHEELS WERE AND IN THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WENT. THE REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED A CRANK SENSOR. PREVIOUSLY, BEFORE THEY PUT IN A FUSE AND IT BLEW OUT. *AK

WIFE PARKED JEEP IN DRIVEWAY, PLACED IN PARK WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE, WALKED TO THE BACK DOOR, GOT MY 4 YEAR OLD OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND PLACED HER ON THE DRIVEWAY NEXT TO THE VEHICLE. WIFE TURNED AROUND TO GET HER PURSE OFF THE FRONT SEAT WHEN THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. WIFE JUMPED INTO VEHICLE AND TRIED TO STOP IT. OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR STRUCK MY FENCE, RETAINING WALL AND MY 4 YEAR OLD KNOCKING HER TO THE GROUND. THE DOOR WAS THEN BENT FORWARD, DESTROYING THE DOOR, FENDER, SCRATCHING THE SIDE AND THE REAR BUMPER AND TAILGATE. WIFE SUFFERED SCRAPES, BRUISES, DAUGHTER TRANSPORTED TO EMERGENCY ROOM THEN VIA CAR FLITE HELICOPTER - SUFFERED SCRAPES, BRUISES, LACERATED LIVER.*AK

SHAKING WOULD OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY, THE DRUMS WERE CHANGED IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 10K MILES. *SC *JB