Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-58
I have have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and I love it. There has been some bumps in the road with it, but they are nothing big to me, because I have a understanding about cars and I know that some are easy to fix or some are nothing to worry about. One of the problems I had was that the check engine light came on, the code read that there was a.02 of an inch leak in the system. All that it was was a bad gas cap that cast $17. I also had a leaky axle seal on the right front side, it ended up getting fixed after the 5th time at the dealer for replacing 2 axle seals, 1 axle shaft and around $2500 in labor and part, but I have a warranty so it all cost me about $350. I have 72K miles on my Jeep and it still runs great. After I bought it I saw that it has been 4wheeled in the past. The brake work great, also after I put ceramic pads on all 4 disc brakes and it also keeps my front wheels clean. The problems with my Jeep that I haven't found an answer to are my mirrors & steering. My mirrors angle down when ever I turn on my car and my steering pulls to the right a little. I'm planning on bring it to get a steering alignment. It may sound like the people with the problems don't know how to go about fixing them and it is costing a lot of money. So they are taking them out on there Jeep. A lot of people think that they can just let a car go with no oil change or check engine light on and not do anything about it and still have a great running car with no problems. Some people do not get there car fixed because it is too much and they have other things to buy, but what they don't understand is that they are going to end up paying more in maintenance fees to fix the problem later or even have to buy another car.
I have been a Jeep owner for many years and I've experienced a few problems. However, they are no different than most vehicles. When properly maintained they will out perform any other vehicle it the class. They're build for performance off road. Sure I've paid for brakes at 40K, but I expect to be paying for maintenance (brakes) at that mileage. I think at times, we in the public are too hasty to critically judge a product. Every manufacturer has a Service Department.
My 2001 JGC has had rotors resurfaced at 12K; new rotors and calipers at 24K, new rotor resurfaced at 36K, and it's going to need it again. A friend has a Mitsubishi Montero and he's also gone through rotor hell. Guess what America! It is your driving habits!
I have a 2000 XJ Cherokee Sport. I have a serious shimmy when I step on the brakes between 40 and 50mph.I love my jeep, but nobody wants to ride in it let alone drive it anymore. insight into this problem is welcomed.
More of the same. My 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee shakes hard when the brakes are applied at over 40 mph, has started jerking around when I turn left, and just today I got the engine maintenance light stating I have a catalytic converter problem. I purchased my Jeep in January, 2002, it's now July, 2004. I have 30,000 miles on the car, I have had a broken power steering line before and now this.
I moved to Baltimore, MD, after I purchased my car, and while I loved my old dealer, the Baltimore Jeep dealers SUCK!!! I have left email and telephone messages and nobody will return my phone calls. So I am going to take it to my local Texaco.
My business has a '02 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the same sort of steering wheel shake, brake pulsing problems that I've seen described on this site. In short, I've had pads replaced, rotors turned down and then finally the entire rotor, pad, brake system replaced by the dealer for the cost of over $410!! It works no, but who knows what will happen next month. My dealer told me that Jeep knows and knew about the problem when I bought the vehicle. (Of course they wouldn't tell me about it!) I complain the Jeep, but they called it normal wear!!! I don't think replacing the rotors BEFORE replacing the tires is "normal". I doubt if we'll ever buy a Jeep again for business or personal use. Other than that the vehicle has worked out well for us, but my point is who knows what's next and how much help you'll get from Jeep? If you're still considering buying one get as much extended warranty coverage as you can.
After hearing so many negative comments I'm almost sorry I bought my 2001 JGC Laredo. I bought it in March 2004. It had 20,000 miles. After driving in it for about 2 or 3 weeks I started hearing a grinding noise when I turned the steering wheel. I haven't had any of the other problems yet, but I sounds inevitable. Needless to say... I'm in this contract for 5 years. Hopefully I will have better luck than the unfortunate people who have purchased this car believing in confidence in this product.
My 2001 Grand Cherokee has had no problems with the front rotors, and I am approaching 70,000 miles. I replaced the front pads at 55,000 miles, and the rotors looked fine; no uneven or premature wear. My 1998 Grand Cherokee did burn through a set of front rotors at 12,000 miles, but was fine after that until I traded it in at 55,000 for my 2001.
I would consider my driving style to be fairly aggressive, although not abusive. My SUVs do see considerable use offroad. I have to suspect that this rotor problem is likely exacerbated by poor driving habits, especially in the cases of people warping rotors within 5-10,000 miles.
I have a 2002 JGC with 26,000 miles. I have had to have my rotors replaced 3 times, going on 4. I was told Jeep is aware of the problem and because of that they count it under the warranty. I also just found out today that they guarantee parts they put in your car for a year... something to consider when the pulsating is back.
I have an "88 JEEP XJ with almost 193,000 miles on it. The rotors and rear drums have been turned once and replaced the pads and linings once in 90,000 miles. So brake failure is directly related to driving habits, (my opinion).
2001 GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED, Lets look at what has been written,,,, This is not normal wear and tear, Replacing rotors pads every 10,000 miles is not normal. Changing oil every 3,000 miles is normal. What is normal is stated in your manual,,, when to expect to change certain parts, and it does not say anything about rotors and pads every 9 months. I am on my 5th. limited now and really like my jeep, but this 2001 has had the same problem as many others which points to a flaw in design... such as,,, pulling to the right,,, why should they pull like this? also the heated seat goes out,,, whats up with that, and how is it fixed? So I don't feel people are whining. People just aren't stupid when they know something isn't normal, and other people are dealing with the same issues something is wrong. I only hope that replacing the calipers fix the problem. You all are not whiners only people that care about their vehicles. J.B.
I bought a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 less than a year ago. A few weeks ago it started doing the shaking thing when hitting the brakes at speeds above 45mph. It has 87,000 miles, so I was not surprised when my trusted mechanic told me it needed new rotors. What was frustrating is that this mechanic stated that many customers have this problem, having to replace the rotors very frequently if using standard replacement parts. He put slot brake rotors which he stated should fix the problem (over $400 for just the rotors and brake pads, not including any labor). I love this Jeep and the 1991 I drove before. I just hope I won't have to keep replacing rotors (not cheap!). Also, the check engine light loves to come on. I have replaced the oil sending unit, which fixed one of the problems. Now it comes on and my mechanic is not sure why. I am going to make sure the gas cap is tight each time I get gas, and hope the light stays off! But, I love my Jeep. T.S.
Warping brake rotors - The list of dissatisfied owners of 1999-2002 (and beyond) Grand Cherokees is immense, as demonstrated by the many discussions of this problem all over the web, and the (now-settled) class action lawsuit against DaimlerChrysler (http://www.dccsettlement.com/).
I own a 2002 Grand Cherokee with 65k miles, and am about to replace my rotors for the 3rd time. I got the manufacturer's recommended "fix" the first time (see this "technical service bulletin" for information http://www.wjjeeps.com/brakes.htm), to no avail. On the second go-round I called the manufacturer's customer service line to complain that the rotor warp was not "normal wear" and was told Jeep would not consider lowering the repair costs for me because I had "not shown any loyalty to the dealership" by using them for my routine maintenance! I beg your pardon, but you must EARN my "loyalty," and this is not the way to do it!
I then wrote to DaimlerChrysler to protest (including links to websites as above), again to no avail. DaimlerChrysler has "vigorously" (per lawsuit wording) denied claims that the engineering/design of the brakes is at issue and that they should be held responsible for these repeated failures. I got great sympathy from the service manager at my dealership (Town & Country Chrysler/Jeep in Seattle), since his wife had the same vehicle, and he negotiated with the district rep to pay for 50% of my costs. I also filed a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General to make them aware of the problem.
I think we ALL need to keep hammering at Daimler/Chrysler (or is it now just "Chrysler" since Daimler is finally able to sell them off: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070514/bs_nm/daimlerchrysler_sale_dc), and perhaps getting the media involved, to see any relief.
To those who see fit to insult the thousands of Jeep Grand Cherokee owners who have faced the warped rotor issue repeatedly by claiming we don't know how to drive an SUV, allow me to point out that my previous vehicle was a 1991 Chevy S-10 Blazer, which I bought new and drove for over 10 years and 140,000 miles with not a single new rotor needed. 'Nuf said.
This is my second jeep, no problems with the 97, but the 2001 jeep limited has been nothing, but problems! the following are those problems, brakes, rotors 5 times, heated seats don't work, constant chirping sound left front wheel, ac, heater problems etc. I am someone who takes excellent care of my cars. My son has a 2002 limited heated problems, ac doesn't work, driver window not working! Will never I mean Never Buy another Jeep again and I was a loyal customer!!! Jeep should be ashamed!!
I've got a 2001 Jeep GCLarado, bought new in May, 2001 in Minnesota. I have only 11,200 miles now on it and it has been vibrating and pulsating since 4,000 miles getting progressively worse. Just had the rotors and pads replaced, $360. job. Only waxed it once and it's mint. It's my 4th and last jeep. My daughter bought the same vehicle one day after me, had two rotor/pad replacements over two years/23,000 miles--traded it on a Nissan.
Chrysler/Jeep should be real happy to lose two loyal customers over a stupid problem of their making--their customer service stinks, and they tell you this is "normal wear and tear". I'll be in the Toyota/Lexus camp from now on. Tom L.