This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle would make a whining sound like it wanted to shift gears. Also, when slowing down it would make the same noise. Consumer could hear a banging noise in rear end of vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated needed to replace transfer case. When trying to order a new or rebuilt one they were on back order.
Engine mounts have prematurely worn which has caused severe vibration in front end of vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall and also informed dealer of a loud clunk sound when transmission shifts into different gears and of a fluid leak around the transmission, dealer stated transfer case seals needed replaced and main crank seal needed replaced, tech also informed consumer that the engine mounts were torn loose, consumer seemed concerned because vehicle had never been taken off road.
I have researched my problem and found that many people who own the Jeep Grand Cherokee limited with quadra-trac 4WD system are experiencing the same problem I am. After driving the vehicle long enough to bring it up to operating conditions, the transfer case will clunk and cause the front end to bind whenever I try to make a right or left turn. The problem can be attributed to a component called the viscous coupling in the vehicle's transfer case. It seems to be extremely common in the 93-97 Jeep Grand Cherokee era. From what I have read and experienced, the problem can begin on vehicles with as little as 57,000 miles on them. Mine in particular began at about 75,000 miles. When the Jeep is taken to the dealer, the binding and noise is blamed on some other component (I.e. cv joints, front differential, or some other part) probably due to complacency and/or lack of knowledge of the mechanic. This can be very costly as the average person ends up replacing and paying for components that are still serviceable. It can also be unsafe as it can leave someone unexpectedly stranded. After research, hours of endless poking around my vehicle, and finding out what the actual culprit was I found that prices ranged anywhere from $600 for the viscous coupling in the transfer case to $1600 for the transfer case itself. Please refer to the following website for one of many examples: forums.vmag.com/jjgrandcherokee0499/messages/6255.html I would like to know why nothing has been done to correct this problem by Chrysler, I.e recall, improve the quadra-trac system for that era, or otherwise. They took it upon themselves to recall a few Jeep to replace brake rotors for corrosion and separation. Why wasn't something put into place for the quadra-trac 4WD transfer case as well? I hope this is what your web page is designed for. I'm not quite sure what to expect out of this, but if you have any questions for me, please feel free to contact me. Lloyd.
Many of the problems I have had with this vehicle could have caused a fatal crash. There are many failures apparently not being addressed by Chrysler. Jeep vehicles should be sold along with legal representation. The list of problems I have encountered so far are as follows: Complete automatic transmission, lf axle, viscous coupler in transfer case--big $$, complete A/C system, cruise control, air bag sensor, speedometer assy.+ the recalls as of date--fr. Brake rotors, shift interlock--very unsatisfied 1st time Jeep owner.
- Cogan Station, PA, USA
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Faulty design--should be a recall due to #'s of occurences--viscous coupler--causes hard steering after extended travel times--causes 4WD to engage which can cause serious accidents, vehicle damage, injury and death. Very expensive repair.
After the vehicle has been driven for at least an hour, either from a dead stop or a very slow speed, when I turn a sharp right corner, the steering mechanism in the transfer case lockes up and the vehicle 'hops' into the rest of the turn. This happens mostly when I am making a sharp turn into a parking space. There have been only several times when steering while turning a corner has seemed to 'grab'. it is the disc coupler gear in the transfer case.the repair will cost about $1200. I already have had the automatic transmission rebuilt by the dealership, which is kempthorn's in canton, Ohio.
Failure of full time 4- wd power train resulted in $3900 damage and fire. Real axle and differential, front differential, and transfer case had to be replaced. Dealer and Jeep, Inc said problem due to different brands of tires on car with minute variations in size determined by measuring with a measuring tape -- although all were correct size as indicated in the owner's manual. Consumers need notice of this unreasonable risk.
We had a tire blow out. We pulled over & changed the passenger rear tire with (unused factory supplied spare). Tires on the vehicle were to factory spec. Then drove a total of aproximately 25-28 miles. Owners manual said drive 50 miles an hour and less than 50 miles distance. Approx 10 miles from the flat, there was a strange smell and the Jeep started surging. We pulled over at about ten and twenty mile distances to make sure something wasn't leaking or rubbing under the vehicle. Finding nothing we proceded to drive home. When we got home there was a oil/grease looking material running out from the front driverside of the engine compartment, and smoke coming from under the hood. We took it to a local shop the next day. The shop owner said the transfer case had overheated and blown the grease out into the engine compartment. He then called the nearest Jeep dealer approximately 40 miles. Their service manager said that some of the Jeep Grand Cherokee had been recalled because the spare tire was not to be used. I called the Jeep customer service line and explained to them what happened. They gave me a case number 7077341, and told me that I would have to tow the Jeep to the dealer on a flat bed (to not further damage the vehicle) for them to inspect it before they would decide to pay anything on it. After I delivered it to the radcliff dealer on a flat trailer they called back and said that it was damaged and that the would submit the claim to Chrysler. We were told on the 28th by the Jeep dealer's service manager that Jeep would not pay anything because we were the third owner. The vehicle had never had any trouble before and were happy with it. No where in the owners manual did it state that you will damage your vehicle if you use the spare tire supplied by the factory. We don't see how we could be at fault for using the equipment provided by Jeep in the manner told. We were told that this is well known by Jeep, but they will not give any help on the repairs.
The rear end/differential of the vehicle caught fire while driving. Review by dealership where towed to so far indicates no apparent parts failure in the rear end, although there may be something wrong in the front differential and/or transfer case, and becasue full-time 4WD, may have contributed. Regardless, dealership in fairfax, va, where bought, did not identify problem when taken for service twice in proceeding two-threee months w/complaints regading the front end "binding" during turns. Fire was cooking the gas tank, happily, a fire extinguisher was available to put out the fire before the car burned up. Fire dept (gettysburg, pa) did follow-up extinuishing, etc. Police on the scene. Reported here because I've heard differiantial failure not uncommon for this vehicle, and the fire under the gas tank was certainly is a major hazard. (I had three kids in the car, one in child seat). Jeep supposedly initiating a "third - party investigation."
When the spare tire is used, while in 4- wheel drive mode, front differential overheats, and the vehicle gets stuck in 4-wheel drive. Manufacturer has been notified. A recall has been issued on similar Explorer's. however, this vehicle was not included. Manufacturer was not notified.
While driving engine exploded and caught on fire. Dealer said it was due to the driveshaft and transfer case malfunctioning. Dealer has fixed vehicle 5 times since the explosion.
Front and rear transfer cases must be aligned properly at manufacturing. The front transfer case was set up wrong, causing extreme gear wear. Mechanic indicated that dealership knew of the problem and still sold the car. This problem can cause sudden failure and sudden stoppage.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tallmadge, OH, USA