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99 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a LEMON !!!
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Comments
it is a recall item also. I just looked at the 2001`s
today and the sales man said the the 2001s have
two pistons for the rotors so the disks wont heat up and warp anymore. they are going to fix this at no charge, since its a recall item. Also I did not get a recall notice on this. Not very happy about that,52,000 on the jeep and no other problems. Jeep the real thing,not a copy cat.
Look...the bottom line is all cars have problems, but it seems as though the problems with the new grands are more widespread than any other SUV that I've researched. I wish I had come to this site before I leased the jeep. Key word for me is: lease! I get to give it back in 12 months...if not sooner.
I'm happy to hear some have recieved problem free JGC's...after all, we should! It just seems the odds of getting a lemon/or a gem are about even...like 50/50.
I expect to get another fuel pump soon, it's only a matter of time. It sounds different almost everytime I start it, even after just getting a new fuel pump a couple of weeks ago.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like the way it drives...just not happy with the fact that I have to think about whether or not my JCG will start everyday. I go to work at 6:00am...and it's gonna get cold soon. I want it to start!!
By the way, this will be last Chrysler product! Definately not a JGC next time!
PS: Thank GOD we didn't buy DURANGOS, they are worse yet..
get a toyota,
first of all the 4.0 is underpowerd for the big jgc (6 cylinder vs 5300 pound truck..........)
second the brakes were designed for the cherokee not he grand cherokee.
But most important is this:
If you have the money for a lexus you don't deserve to drive a jeep. most wealthy people could never understand nor fully use there jeep.
besides, Look at ford explorer:bad tires
bad engines
bad electronics
bad resale value
mercedes benz has the worst performance and a low crash rating.
I don't have to say anymore. I'll see the true jeep people on the hills in michigan
Granted, I replaced the brake pads and rotors with better quality aftermarket parts; same goes for shocks and steering stabilizer. I added a throttle body spacer and will be doing a few other upgrades soon. I use it mostly on the paved roads, but it is extremely good when off-road, too.
One message referred to replacing the rotors seven times; this tells me the rotors were bad, the calipers were sticking, and/or the lug nuts were improperly tightened.
I did have a problem with the engine pinging on light acceleration and the local dealer had no clue about the remedy. There is a TSB for this, and I took it to a dealer farther away, where they fixed it in less than an hour.
I love this Jeep, and my wife has a similar 1998 GC, which she also loves. Our next vehicles will be Jeeps.
1. Transmission Replaced.
2. Transfer case grinding in turns.
3. Rear end replaced.
4. Steering column replaced.
5. Drivers seat motor replaced.
6. Hood struts replaced.
7. Various pieces of trim replaced.
8. Auto light control switch replaced.
9. Map lights in sun roof repalced.
10.Seat cloth under drivers seat repaired.
The other problems we have had that the dealer says is either normal or can't duplicate are:
1. Vacumn problem with the A/C blowing out of a/c registers one min. then changing and blowing out of the defrost and lower heat vent the next.
2. Cruise control problem. With four people in the car at highway speeds 65mph, a/c on and cruise control activated when encountering a 3 to 5 % grade instead of sensing this and droping from 4th(overdrive) to 3rd it abrubtly drops from 4th at 2600 rpm to 2nd and 4800+ rpm. They tell me thats normal.
3. Continious brake squeal. They say that is can't be repaired.
4. Loud clanking noise when shifting from Drive to Reverse. They say it is normal.
I am going into abitration on the 4th of Dec. and would like to know if anyone out there has had the same problems? Has any one gone into abitration and what were your results.
My e-mail is , murraymcmill@juno.com
Thank you for your time
1. It's been there for many, many trips between San Diego and L.A. (Ever try to drive from San Diego to L.A. during a weekday afternoon? The JGC's level of comfort passes with flying colors during 4 hours of traffic)
2. It's been to a year of crew practices and withstood salt and sand perfectly, despite very few cleanings and the many pounds of wet sand that has caked the carpet from a bunch of wet and smelly people. Plus, if you're the only person in a boat that has a car, the JGC's roominess is handy for getting most of the boat to those early-morning practices.
3. It's great for runs to Costco when we're all down to the last roll of toilet paper. Think 5 hungry 19-year-olds, lots of food, and lots of TP.
4. Problems? Try us. My family heard about all of the reliability problems with the Jeep, but so far, this one's proven all the warnings wrong. (About the fuel pump thing, that happened a few times, but for some reason, ours stopped after a couple weeks of it and it never happened again.)
5. A good deal: It's the base model (2WD Laredo with no goodies except for the CD player), but wow, what a base model... compare it to the 4Runner or Explorer's base models and they have nothing, whereas the Jeep has a very nice, comfortable package for it's lowest sticker price.
I could go on, but I think I've droned on enough. I'm sure there are those out there thinking that I'm too young to understand the economics and mechanics of investing in a vehicle, but hey, I merely wanted to introduce a different view of the JGC. I understand how people can get fed up with a brand if it proves to be an expense and an inconvenience, but our Jeep has made a loyal customer out of this driver and her family.
So....in a nutshell..these gears almost have to have been improperly heat treated... and you just do not heat treat one at a time..I am sure the basket holds a bunch. I am loading my guns now and have arbitration in a week or so (Dec. 5).. who else is out there with this problem?
By the way, Chrysler says they are confident there is no damage to my camshaft (man, am I glad they said that...I really have confidence in them..just as I do in Santa Claus).
By the way, anybody out there know how to flush an oil pan through one hole about .5" in diameter?..damn those guys are good!
Thanks for your response on the 2000 models.
-Joseph
My sister needs help purchasing a 1998 JGC.
Her husband (age 44) was killed in a semi accident 10 weeks ago. They had just purchased a 100 year old farmhouse w/10 acres in the middle of rural Kentucky. "Anne" is considering this vehicle because of the 4WD feature and hopefully, little maintenance as her husband is no longer here to take care of those things. The dealer is selling it for the $18,650 (off the lot)after starting at $20,650. It has 35K; V6; full options package - power front seats, infinity sound, heat review mirrors, security system, etc. My concern is whether or not this is a reliable vehicle based on the responses I've read in this chat room. Also, is the price fair? So, is this a sound purchase for a recent widow? She is looking to purchase something very soon as winter is fast approaching. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, SRF (I also posted this in the main Jeep Chat Room)
one more: do all jeeps/SUVs make REALLY loud roaring noises during acceleration? And is acceleration time a bit on the slow side?
Is there anything I should be on the lookout for?
Since I am a woman there may be things I would overlook, if not a familar problem. Thanks everyone!!
I just wish no one anywhere would ever buy any 4WD vehicle unless they KNOW they need and WILL USE the extra traction. Otherwise, it's nothing but a HUGE waste of precious fuel (which could better be used be me :-)
My post topic is this -
A portion of my tranny case tail has been chipped and the black bubble gum type gunk they secretly crammed in there is starting to fail and now I am really starting to leak fluid. I know when they cracked this. It was in '98 when they rebuilt my rear diff. at 35k mind you, and a week later I brought it back complaining of a new leak. My argument was that this new leak (substantial) suddenly occurred right after they did the work on the rear diff. Their argument was that a leak at the tranny had nothing to do with the diff work.
Now tell me if I am right, when rebuilding a rear diff. you have to drop/lower/swing down one end of the driveshaft. If so, then when they dropped the driveshaft it acted like a lever (crowbar)and cracked the bottom of the tranny case tail.
Oh man oh man I know that is what happened!
Now - how do you think I can get the dealer to cover this screwup?
Please post ideas!
Thanks edmunds for being the best! Love the new site - keep up the good work.
- Rotors warped (replaced at 11,700 miles) "just under your warranty" acc. to the dealer
- Since the day I drove it off the lot in Aug of 99 it pulls to the right. Ive asked 4 times for a free alignment and each time I get a diff answer..been to 2 diff dealers.
- CLUNK/BUMP when stopped at a red light or stop sign
- WHINE when driving on the highway
All I can say is THANK GOD I LEASED AND I DID NOT BUY IT. This may be why I am not as upset at some of these things and now I am really glad I leased. The Jeep is awesome in the snow (we recently had 20" in NJ) and the V-8 has great power.
My question for all of you experienced and unhappy owners..is it worth it for me to have these things fixed and go thru all the hassle, or should I just worry about the major things (like brakes) and get rid of it at the end of the lease. I was considering keeping this Jeep as it only has 13K on it and I have it for 1.5 years. Now I may just turn it it at the end of the lease.
Any perspective is welcome. If you have more details and want to eemail me..ian_laudor@hotmail.com
Thanks!!
1. Two sets of front rotors.
2. Rear diff whine (but it is minimal).
3. Very loud whine when transmission in reverse. Unsucessfully adjusted 3 times, then vehicle off road for 2.5 weeks while a new transmission was shipped from the U.S. (at least they gave us a rental car)
4. One window stopped working.
5. Bonnett struts failed.
6. Tapping/cracking/creak/sqeual in steering (they still don't know what that is)
7. Currently on its third fuel pump and another one coming up...
8. I know ive forgotten something but theres so many things...
9. Occaisional squeal from rear suspension.
So now we're trying to work out how to get rid of the thing...
There is no form of 'lemon law' in Australia so we just have to grin and bear it. At least Jeeps are more of a niche vehicle here than in the U.S., so these probs are less known (at the moment). When it was released, they stated that Chryslers future in Australia was dependant on this vehicle. Not looking good, guys.
Our previous vehicle was a Landcruiser. The Jeep had a lot to live up to anyway, but our next vehicle will not be American. But the Jeep is better built (NOT better) than the landcruiser (ours are built in a benz plant in europe). Its just a shame about the parts...
All we want is one that works...