2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee from North America - Comments

Hmmm - where to begin. We purchased a new 2001 GC Limited 4WD. We were very careful about proper maintenance and tune-ups. At < 10K miles, we had to replace the steering wheel - the leather covering broke down and peeled. The A/C blower and seat heater failed at under 20K miles. At just under 40K miles, we had to completely replace the rotors due to the frequently discussed rotor issue. Now, we are off our 75K extended warranty (79K miles) and we have to replace the entire front axel (due to differential problems), a heater coil, an evap coil, and NOW the window motor/regulator. So just under $4,000 on a car that is 5 years and 2 months old (from Nov '01 purchase). I am still stunned; I have had cars with over 100K miles with less than half of these problems. I am going to call jeep customer care, so I will post their response.

I have an 2002 Grand Cherokee and my driver's seat broke as well. I just put a 3/8 in metal dowel into the hollow tube that broke and it seems to have fixed the problem. The tube should not have sheared off and should not be hollow in the first place.

What a surprise!!! I found this site hoping to find out through a Q&A session why my OIL Gauge needle is moving to the far right (80). Belongs on 40 (average in the middle). I have a 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO. I purchased this vehicle used at apprx. 68,000 miles in "03". After reading several of these responses I've become overwhelmed. Why? Because I too have had 3 major break jobs involving the replacement of rotors ($400 - $500) each job, INSANE. My driver seat began to rock back and forth and further inspection revealed the seat metal had broken away from the frame metal, INSANE. Next, all four door actuators have expired. I since have replaced the two front (driver and passenger). I couldn't figure out what was causing this screetching sound when I locked/unlocked the doors. Well, as of Feb 07 the main control panel for the door locks and windows is failing. (example: When you open the door to exit the vehicle you can no longer manually press the lock button on either the driver or passenger side while the door is open. You must close the driver door, press down the lock and manually unlock the driver door so you can exit the vehicle). Nothing will work i.e. windows, mirrors, anthing on that panel. I had the engine fan replaced close to two years ago (close to $500 job with water pump included). This expired as Feb 07 and I found out that this was a recall part so it was replaced. I still end up spending over $300 dollars for related problems, why? I haven't even mentioned the engine light problems of a couple of years ago when during the summer of 2005 I had the vehicle serviced close to ten times. One of Jeep's top mechanic said he had never seen this particular problem. Turned out to be a another RECALL causing the engine light to come on, causing the jeep to loose power during acceleration. I do know it was a $1000 part located underneath the panel by the break pedal. When I say no one in the Jeep dealership (Randolph Massachusetts location) could figure this problem out, INSANE. Oh, what about the back tail light assembly, both sides. I've had to replace three of these. They're over $100 a piece, INSANE. Oh, did I mention the rear rubber door liners sagging/drooping causing water to enter during rain and car washes. My seven year old couldn't take that anymore. Well, back to my initial problem as of 2/24/07. My OIL Gauge needle is shifting all the way to the right, WHY? The engine fan was replaced three weeks ago and should be fine. My front break job (rotars and pads) was done in August 06 and they are back to shimmering like crazy, especially when you're breaking on the highway, INSANE. NEVER SAY NEVER, but let's just say the word JEEP CHEROKEE won't be on my list of SUV's in the future. GO TOYOTA or NISSAN!!! Any advice or suggestions please email me @ MrLarelleKnight@msn.com. Again, thanks for all of the responses. This helps.

"I have an 2002 Grand Cherokee and my driver's seat broke as well. I just put a 3/8 in metal dowel into the hollow tube that broke and it seems to have fixed the problem. The tube should not have sheared off and should not be hollow in the first place."

I agree, I'm surprised at the thin gauge hollow tubing used in seat frames of all vehicles. The dowel is a good idea. The other way that is more permanent is to use a low-amp arc welder (set down to 20-30 amps) to weld the break. Either a stick welder or wire feed welder should work.

I too am stuck with a 2001 Jeep Laredo. This past year my power window broke, my transmission went out, brakes went bad, and now my seat is broken. I did the brakes myself, my warranty covered the rest, but my warranty is about through, and I shudder to think about future costs. It's a beautiful and comfortable vehicle, but I do not find the problems worth it. I recently was in a low speed front in impact. I didn't even feel it. It broke the bumper, the grill, the headlight mount, and a half dozen other parts. The price tag is 4k. I stuffed a rag under the headlight. it looks fine.

Has anyone had a problem with the headlights looking like they were sand blasted? The only time mine look clear is when their wet.

I have an '01 Grand Cherokee Laredo and have the same seat problem mentioned here many times before. The frame broke right next to the bolt and now the seat rocks. The problem happened after the warranty expired, the dealer said to replace the whole seat at around $1000. I'm not about to spend that kind of money. I thought about welding it, but I'm not sure if it will hold. Has anyone had any luck just replacing the seat frame? So far I have not been able to find any replacement parts online for the seat frame assembly. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

I too have had many of the same problems with my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My seat bracket broke where the bracket meets the floor near the bolt hole. I fixed that by welding on a fender washer. In the last year I have had far too many problems with this car. First the cooling fan solenoid. I had to have transmission rebuilt around 93,000 miles. I replaced rear axle seals and bearings when it hit 100,000 miles. Front brakes and rotors at 101,000 and just today I had to replace the cooling fan assembly.

I bought this car because I thought the 4.0l engine would save me money compared to the Chevy Suburban I traded in for it. I guess I was severely wrong. I figure I've spent over $200 a month on maintenance in the last year for the Jeep while I was budgeting $50 a month for the Suburban. I think this must be a Jeep thing that I just don't understand.

Well, I was looking on line to find information on replacing the driver side seat because the seat has come away from the frame on the floor. I guess I'm not the only one to have this problem. I have also just (May 11th) put 172.00 into having the transmission pan replaced. It rusted and leaked. Earlier this year it was the oil pan because of an oil leak. Also, last year I had to replace brakes (rotors and drum) for the second time. I can't lock the doors unless the driver's door is closed and my key-less entry stopped working shortly after one of the buttons fell out of the key fob. What's sad is... I really liked driving the Jeep until all these strange things started happening. Especially the seat thing. I have never seen that happen in all my driving career.

First of all I wish I had read this site before I purchased my 2000 Jeep GC. I now know what else to expect to go wrong on my jeep.

I too have the problem with the seat brackets breaking. I had to disconnect both front and rear door lock actuators because the noise was embarrassing and the locks would not unlock anyways. I am also having a problem with the vehicle shifting into 3rd gear (I notice it mostly when the gas tank is low).

I was able to get replacement headlights off of ebay for around $40 each because the originals looked sandblasted.

I concur with the majority of post here and I will never buy a jeep again and give Toyota a try.

I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee with the same seat problems. Can someone help me with any advice on how to fix it? I will never buy another american made car again.

I also have a 01 Jeep GCL and have the same problem with the drivers seat. The check engine light is on. Starting is very rough and it runs like it is fixing to go kerplunk until it gets around 20 mph. My rear door has been locked shut and won't open, rear taillights loose and going out all the time, replaced water pump, window motors on both front doors. I am now getting a dtc p1494. These are ridiculous. You pay 25,000 for a decent SUV and get a hunk of junk. I will never own another Jeep after this mistake.

If driver seat breaks like my 01 gc take it to a welder and have him add some heavy gauge washers to reinforce. cost me $60 to fix.

I have had just about all of the similar problems, the Jeep GC is a piece of overpriced junk and I will never EVER own one again!!!

Wow I have to agree with a lot of these comments. My seat is also broken and my transmission will not shift out of first gear. It was like magic one night it worked the next morning it didn't. Also most of my rear suspension had to be replaced and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2001 only has 120000. And people say chevy and ford are bad,this thing will nickel and dime me to death never again.

Wow! It looks like I'm in good company here. My driver's seat is broken, too. I'm waiting for the dealership to get the frame in. That's going to cost around $500.

Also had problems with my transmission, not shifting INTO first gear.

Had to fix the driver's side window; regulator needed to be replaced.

I bought this vehicle used, with 45k miles on it. I'm beginning to think it was a mistake. Good thing I bought a warranty! Should have looked at the Ford Explorer. I heard there's more leg room in them.