10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,565 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee cooling system problems

cooling system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #19

Oct 122010

Grand Cherokee

  • 84,162 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact smelled a strong burning odor. There was a loud noise inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. The contact observed that the engine overheated. The vehicle resumed with caution to the dealer and they informed that there was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 06V199000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan). The VIN was not included in the recall. The technician recommended that the vehicle not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,162.

- Payson, AZ, USA

problem #18

Jun 012008

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Blend doors on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee not working.

- Moultrie, GA, USA

problem #17

Mar 152010

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • 87,725 miles
1. I had my Jeep 2002 Grand Cherokee repaired then a few hours later it broke down again. When I stopped and turned it off the engine continued making noise, the coolant ran out the bottom of the vehicle and the car was hot and smelled bad. 2. I called lithia in concord, it was the radiator cooling fan and it was inoperable. They estimated the repair at $1400. I had just paid $1400 to have this car repaired, I bought the car and a warranty from lithia in December. The warranty and lithia and Chrysler-daimler would not help with the repair. I finally had it towed elsewhere. 3. I am now trying to get it repaired but the radiator cooling fan is not available. It's completely out of stock and on back order from Jeep. They can't make them fast enough to replace the broken ones, and this part costs over $900. However, it is not a recall item.

- Kihei, HI, USA

problem #16

May 212009

Grand Cherokee

  • 105,499 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ 105,000 miles. I have been mysteriously losing coolant for about the last 5,000 miles and now my oil pressure is going to 0 when at idle. After checking on this online I find that this is not an isolated incident.this is an ongoing problem for many Jeep owners and some kind of recall or factory repair should be forced asap. This problem will inevitably lead to an engine replacement.this vehicle has had numerous problems since I bought it (2nd owner) and did all the repairs myself but this repair is a major engine overhaul and significant expense. It is a shame to have this many problems with this vehicle by so many people and being blown off by the manufacturer. This Jeep has been otherwise well maintained and in very good condition. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Elizabethtown, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 272009

Grand Cherokee

  • 89,000 miles
My 2002 Jeep Cherokee started blowing heat only on the drivers side and cold air on the passenger side. The windows were constantly fogging up making driving only possible by lowering the windows to reduce fogging. Now, I have no heat and the mechanic says it is my blower doors and that this happens to alot of Jeep. We had to abandon the vehicle during a snow / freezing rain even last week and then couldn't drive it for the next several days due to freezing conditions. I have replaced the heater core due to fogging windows 2 years ago and the ac had to be charged constantly to stay cool. This is dangerous to drive and you freeze during cold times. I always have to make sure precip in not expected whenever we drive this vehicle during winter months. Jeep owners need help with this...! now my passenger window wont go up either.

- Purcellville, VA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #14

Oct 142008

Grand Cherokee

  • 92,948 miles
My wife was on her way home from work when the vehicle suddenly overheated. The cooling fan blades had disintegrated, blown thought the top and bottom of the fan shroud and into the radiator causing loss of coolant. The fan shroud assembly, the radiator and the engine head gasket all had to be replaced due to overheating of the vehicle.

- Batavia, OH, USA

problem #13

Oct 282008

Grand Cherokee

  • 79,289 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The weather turned to snow and I needed the defrost/ heater. The passenger side only blows cold air. My visibility became so impaired I had to pull over and abandon the vehicle until the following day. I took it to my mechanic, the diagnosis is broken blend air door and recirculation door, estimate $1200.

- South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 232008

Grand Cherokee

  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. On April 17, 2006, the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA campaign id number 06V199000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan) regarding the electric motor driven cooling fan system. After the repair, the failure recurred three additional times. The vehicle normally overheats and shuts off. The most recent failure occurred on September 23, 2008. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The failure mileage was 27,000 and current mileage was 35,358.

- Manati, PR, USA

problem #11

Jul 102008

Grand Cherokee

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving at an unknown speed, the seat frame spontaneously failed and allowed the seat to suddenly retract backwards. The failure increased the risk of a crash. The dealer stated that the entire seat frame needed to be replaced at the cost of over $400. He is in the process of having the seats repaired. Secondly, the power windows worked intermittently. The dealer replaced the window regulators. Thirdly, he noticed that fluid from the heater coil leaked into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The manufacturer would not assume any responsibility for the repair because the vehicle exceeded the warranty. The failure and current mileages were 94,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #10

Jun 052008

Grand Cherokee

  • 56,000 miles
Driving along and low coolant light went on, then pulled over and revealed no coolant whatsoever. Replaced the coolant every few days then finally after a couple weeks took it to the radiator shop and had to have the radiator replaced.

- Ft Myers, FL, USA

problem #9

Jul 182008

Grand Cherokee

  • 75,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radiator cooling fan blades broke into several pieces while I was driving. Not easily determined if the radiator was damaged. Fan is inoperable which causes the engine to overheat unless vehicle is kept in motion. Have not done a replacement yet. Chrysler is refusing to even consider covering the repair unless I pay to have their tech diagnose the problem. Chrysler will not commit to pay for any percentage of the repair until after I pay to have a tech diagnose the problem.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #8

Jun 242008

Grand Cherokee

  • 115,000 miles
Cooling fan motor bad in 2002 Jeep grand cher. Also cooling fan blades are cracked. Called about a recall, but they said Jeep did not fall within the correct VIN # range.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #7

Jan 012008

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
The vehicle was running, in park position. A loud bang occurred as if someone had just hit my vehicle hard, but I felt nothing. I looked around the vehicle and did not see anything or anyone around that could have caused the loud bang. Later, I noticed the vehicle was overheating and was losing coolant. A closer inspection indicated a broken radiator shroud and a shattered fan assembly.

- Hawthorne, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 202007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact noticed that the heating and cooling system did not work. She called the local dealer and they instructed her to bring the vehicle in for inspection. While driving at an unknown speed to the dealer, she noticed freon rising from the instrument panel. As a result, other components of the engine and engine cooling system began to fail. The air conditioning and heater no longer worked. The dealer stated that not only had her blower motor and resister failed, but the heater core, evaporator core, actuator, and blend door (which no longer provided heat on the driver side of the vehicle) were corroded as well. The dealer further stated that the freon from the instrument panel originated from the evaporator core, indicating the presence of ethanol (toxic gas). The manufacturer has not offered any assistance and stated that the failures were due to lack of maintenance. Currently, the estimated cost that the contact has spent on repairs is $2,000. The vehicle is at the dealer and has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and current mileage was 91,350.

- Dover, NH, USA

problem #5

Nov 202007

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
First there was the recall on the electric radiator fan, and now consequently the heater, or blower doesn't produce hot air. There has been multiple hundreds of these similar problems within the past year check this link to secure the validity of this argument www.topix.com/forum/autos/Jeep-grand-Cherokee/tserat48371icob68/P14.

- Lake Geneva , WI, USA

problem #4

Dec 012005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to blow warm air when the heater was activated. The dealer stated that the blend doors failed and did not make the repair. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 33,000.

- Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jun 072007

Grand Cherokee 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
F25 recall-radiator fan blade failure-"subsequent" damage to radiator beyond repair-replacement only-no help from recall center or local dealer-the consumer is expected to pay the bill for the recall failure damage to other parts of vehicle

- Florence, MS, USA

problem #2

Nov 212005

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,610 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle overheated and leaked antifreeze. The dealership determined the fan, radiator, and harness were burned. These components were replaced, but the problem persisted. This has been occurring since the vehicle was purchased.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #1

Dec 242004

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
I had the exact same problem as below. Had it repaired and the dealership says they repair 2 - 3 every week and they even gave me a copy of the service bulletin that Jeep puts out to their mechanics. Service manager says he has complained to Jeep about recalling but they told him it was too expensive of a part and not a safety issue. 2002 Grand Cherokee limited has a known problem with the dual climate control system. A door in the system routinely breaks or strips as soon as the vehicle has passed the manufacturers warranty end date. One side(drivers) of the system works as advertised, however the passenger side will only blow extremely cold air. The cost to rectify this anomaly is around $800 at a Jeep dealership. From reading several automotive repair forums on the internet, this problem is occurring in a very high number, probably percentage of vehicles. Supposedly Jeep is aware of the defective part used in the system and is not doing anything about it.

- Boulder, CO, USA

Not what you are looking for?