Jeep Grand Cherokee Maintenance and Repair

5133 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2013 at 10:28 PM

You are in the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Cherokee, SUV

    

Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.

Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

#85 of 5133 Jeep, UGH by larry91

Sep 07, 2001 (6:20 am)

I had a 1990 Cherokee and a 1993 Grand Cherokee V8 and had nothing but Trouble with both vehicles. I would never buy another Chysler product again. They make the Best Looking vehicles on the road, but their quality is pretty poor.
However, Rotor warpage is a common problem with disc brakes and happens on all vehicles regardless of make. If u have a "Nice, cooperative dealer" u might get him to absorb part of the cost the first time around.
Good Luck

#86 of 5133 Rotors by jef98zj

Sep 08, 2001 (7:34 pm)

Most vehicles do have poor brake pads and rotors, and the dealer replacements are not much better than the originals.
 
A less expensive and better solution is aftermarket parts. For example, you can buy better quality brake rotors and pads at your local NAPA store (or equivalent) for about the same prices as OEM, and doing the work yourself can save a ton of money. If you want to really do it up right, get a set of Stillen cross-drilled brake rotors for all four corners and use the Stillen Metal Matrix (rear) and Performance Friction (front) pads. These things throw less brake dust, and will last a lot longer, while providing smoother/quicker stops. They are not that much more expensive. These puppies work; I have installed and used them and have no complaints with them.

#87 of 5133 rotors by rinkinkin

Sep 08, 2001 (8:21 pm)

anyone used PowerStop rotors ?

#88 of 5133 Information about our '99 JGC 4.7V8 w/QD2 by dave230

Sep 09, 2001 (3:54 pm)

I am writing this note to give hope to those of you who may be experiencing the same types of problems we experienced while in possession of our Jeep.
In August 2000, my wife and I leased a brand new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with all options. We began having problems within 300 miles of purchase and continued to have problems until Chrysler took the vehicle back and paid us for every lease payment we had made, our deposit and all aftermarket items we had purchased such as floor mats. The dealer who leased us the vehicle gave us absolutely no satisfaction regarding the repair of the problems. The District Manager for our zone directed us to another dealer. This second dealer worked very hard to correct our problems, however, was not effective in doing so.
The problems and their stories are as follows:
  
Pull to the right
 
Remedies included: numerous alignments (first only toe until adjustable ball joints were available), tire rotations, installation of adjustable ball joints and inflating the tires to varying levels. These repairs and alignments led only to extrenely excessive tire wear, two new tires and no correction for the pull to the right.
 
Whine in the drivetrain between 55 and 65 mph
  
Remedies included: replacement of front and rear differential assemblies, rear axle shafts and bearings and the rear differential/axle housing. These repairs eventually reduced the whine and vibration to approximately 50% of their initial levels.
 
Transmission slippage between 2nd and 3rd gear shift
 
Remedy: replacement of transmission valve body repaired the problem initially, however, the problem returned the end of our possession of the Jeep.
 
Clunking/torque-loading when vehicle was shifted from Park to Drive
 
Transmission linkage was adjusted and newly designed yoke assembly and rear driveshaft was installed. These repairs did not solve the clunking/torque-loading problem.
 
I searched for the highest manager/exectutive possible within the Dealer Services division of Chrysler until we reached an agreement that was satisfactory to us.
 
As I read the various stories in this Town Hall forum, it was clear that there are a number of us who believe, despite all of the design, build-quality and service issues, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is probably one of the nicest SUVs available from a features, comfort, styling standpoint. I hope Daimler-Chrysler can get their act together. Until then, I will be staying away from the Jeep Grand Cherokee and probably all other Chrysler products.

#89 of 5133 1998 GRAND CHEROKEE 2 WD Transmission by gabulldawg1

Sep 16, 2001 (7:58 pm)

I have a loud clanking noise when I shift from park to drive.
The vehicle only has 24k. The dealer says all Jeep transmissions sound like this! Sure!
Anyone else with similar problems?

#90 of 5133 Lemon law by bratcliff

Sep 17, 2001 (1:08 pm)

I am the owner of a 2000 JGC Laredo. As most of you mention, have had the same problems. Rear differential overhaul which did not solve the roar / whine in rear end. Told it was "within acceptable limits". Acceptable to who? Front brake pads and rotors replaced at 12000 miles due to vibration and shaking in steering wheel. Now have exact same symptoms but am told it is the rear which has no service history so out of warranty. Stop-bump in rear end that originally was linked to rear differential problem. Stop-bump reappeared although had to take service manager riding with me to prove that and brake vibrations. Supposedly tightened the rear end but did not solve problem. Now told they "cannot fix that." The dealership assures me they will call when area rep in town. Of course, that has not happened. Called Chrysler, told they would submit the information to dealer to discuss with area rep and I would hear something. That was 6 weeks ago and of course have not heard anything. fortunately, I could let my 2000 sit on the Dealer's lot for 30 days when I was not satisfied with the rear differential and was awaiting the area rep's visit. Massive leak in front passenger side. Decreased fuel efficiency that was due to using "Exxon" fuel. I'm sure Exxon would love to hear that! Smutty tailpipe in conjunction with decreased efficiency. Mileage dropped from 18 / 21 to 8/12 and continued. I am ready to look into lemon law but am having a hard time finding lemon law attorney for Virginia. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on what to do next? My biggest concern is for safety with the brakes. You do not know if they will stop you when you actually need them.

#91 of 5133 99 GC: sqeaky brakes, pull to the right, front end whine by jacko

Sep 18, 2001 (6:54 am)

Have a 99 GC with a twist of lemon.
My brakes squeak, dealer says all is OK with brakes, I think new pads will help. Anyone done this to fix the squeak???
Pulls to the right, if you let the wheel go, car goes right, alignment checks good, suspect there is something wrong with the hardware. Anyone had such experience and what was the fix???
Front end is whining once you get past 35-40 mph. What's the fix??? First time it went in they could not duplicate problem, going back in two days for all the above, would like to have an answer for the dealer on how to repair these problems so they can't tell me it's normal or can't duplicate.
Thanks for the help.

#92 of 5133 Re: Lemon Law by vin2247

Sep 18, 2001 (3:21 pm)

I can't offer you much help in Virginia but I will say, find yourself a Lemon Law lawyer and go for it. I have a 99 JGC and it had the same problems you described. Brakes, rear bang etc. After dealing with DC myself and getting nowhere I found a Lemon Law lawyer in PA who was great. 54 days later I ordered a new 2002 JGC replacement vehicle, and it will be arriving soon. I would have preferred my money back but it may have taken a long time to win. For now, do yourself a favor and get a lawyer. Too many people just trade them in and take the loss and let DC win. It's worth the peace of mind and it's not that difficult.

#93 of 5133 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems by brianandami

Sep 18, 2001 (10:29 pm)

I have read with great interest the problems associated with the late model JGCs (97 and later). I was wondering, and just trying to pass on info on the problems we are having. We currently own a 93 JGC Laredo 2WD with 118000 miles. We bought the Jeep used less than a year ago. It has been an absolute dream up until about 2 weeks ago. We were on an extended trip to visit relatives 3 1/2 hours away. The jeep refused to start at my wife's grandmother's house. After replacing the battery, (it was getting old), the jeep still would not start. After having a friend look at it, we determined that I was not getting any fuel into the injectors. After blowing out the fuel lines, it started immediately and ran okay until we started our trip home. An hour and half from our starting point, the jeep stalled. Once again, suspecting a clogged fuel line, I blew out the line and it started again. At this point, the jeep began to shudder and stall about every 10-20 miles. The jeep finally gave out for good about 2 hours from home. We had some friends tow us home and sent the jeep to the shop the next morning. We asked them not only to get it running but to fix everything they could find since I would be leaving home on an extended trip soon and I would not want my wife to be stranded. They were not able to look at the jeep for a day and a half. They started it immediately, it ran like a dream. Even after running for over an hour it still ran great. They called my wife to pick it up. When she got there, they said it had finally stalled after they got off the phone with her and that they did not have the tools to fix it. They referred us to another shop.
At this point, I really have to mention, DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLES TO PRECISION AUTO TUNE.
Once towed, again, to Precision auto tune, they determined the problem was a bad fuel pump, filter. They also replaced the air filter, did an oil change, replaced plugs, wires, distributor, rotor cap and then the ignition coil went out. They replaced that also. I picked up the jeep and it ran great, but I noticed that when the jeep was idling, I was blowing an extreme amount of white smoke (suspected blown head gasket). Four days later, once again on a trip to my in laws, the jeep was running great. At one point on the interstate the jeep sputtered once and died at 70mph. Once again it was towed to the shop. Once again after another diagnostic, they told me it was the ignition coil. Once replaced, it ran like a dream. The jeep ran great for another week, and once again on a trip to my mother in law's the jeep died on the way back home. Same symptoms, sputtered once and died on the side of the interstate. This time, we got in touch with the owner of the shop who told us he would take care of everything. We were once again towed to the shop. Once again they did a diagnostic. Once again they could not find a problem. The diagnostic did say that I was getting too rich a fuel mixture (the white smoke) but other than that nothing. On a whim, they replaced the ignition coil and it started immediately. Today, I took it to the dealer with no luck. They tell me it might be the computer. With over $1400 spent on the original repairs, I am not about to spend another $1400 on a new computer.
As I said, the jeep did great until this last week or two. I still have not gotten the fuel mixture fixed because they tell me the message is coming from the computer and there is nothing they can do and no one can tell me why I am blowing through ignition coils like they are going out of style. My wife and I are about to cut our losses and get a new car. Unfortunately, we are shying away from Jeeps now. Any ideas on what might have caused this? I do some work on cars myself. If I have an idea where to start, I figure Chilton's and myself might be able to salvage this Jeep. Thanks in advance.

#94 of 5133 1999 JGC Rotor Problems by jrlee1

Oct 01, 2001 (10:07 am)

I had my rotors turned at 12,000 miles and now they need it again 14,000 miles later. Jeep did the first job under warranty but they are now claiming that I will have to pay for the replacement of the new rotors, (~$220).
 
I know that many other Jeep owners have experienced similar problems. Will you please Email me your suggestions for fixing this problem once and for all (if possible). jlee6triad.rr.com.
 
Thanks.
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement