CarComplaints.com Notes: The fourth generation Grand Cherokee took the relatively trouble-free run of the 3rd-generation and flipped the script.
From 2010 to 2011, complaints about the vehicle not starting increased 10-fold. In fact, the 2011 model year is riddled with engine problems and a defective TIPM might be to blame. The TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) distributes power to all the eletrical components in the vehicle, so when it starts acting funny so do numerous other components in the car. Orders for new TIPMs were so abundant that parts became scarce, prompting a class-action lawsuit claiming Chrysler ignored this obvious defect.
By 2012 complaints dropped back down by about 80%. Needless to say, if you see a used 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee on a lot just keep walking.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 2
Average Mileage:
65,755 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.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, the vehicle hesitated and stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump relay had failed. However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
While driving in outerbanks, nc. The vehicle decided to shut the 4X4 system off and lower suspension completely, all while driving. My new born son, wife and 4yr old daughter in the vehicle and we are stranded. Paid for towing and after towed the vehicle goes back to normal with no maintenance. Upon returning home vehicle randomly shuts off while in motion, will not start or fuel pump randomly runs and now way to shut off. After some research I am finding this is a common problem with the tipm in these vehicles. You are not able to get the parts as they are on back order and nothing is being done to the manufacturer. Who do we complain to if this happens while my children are in the car and there is an accident. This seems like this will be the only way something is going to be done about this issue.
While driving up the freeway ramp and accelerating past 50 mph the entire vehicle started to shake. Had to immediately get off the freeway, stop the vehicle and have it inspected by our local mechanic. It was a frightening incident for my wife and kids.
When started and shifted into "D" drive mode, car would self engage in manual gear "4" and then had no traction or acceleration, only reverse. Transmission completely died and would automatically go into manual "4" gear itself when put into "D" drive mode from park or while driving on the road. Very dangerous and very scary. Had it towed to dealer who wanted $1,300 to repair faulty tipm module and would not cover under powertrain warranty. Called Chrysler and negotiated it down to $100. This should be a recall and is very dangerous because the car is putting itself into the wrong gear while moving and would not accelerate or move in drive mode.
- Lititz, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would accelerate from one gear to the next on multiple occasions without warning. The contact stated that he experienced the failure more than fifteen times. The contact stated that the automatic transmission gear would go into a low gear when he did not shift the vehicle into manual. Additionally, when the gear box was bumped, it changed gears at random. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer multiple times, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2000. Updated 05/12/14
The problem we had was generally with starting the vehicle. The problem has been intermittent over several weeks, seeming to be more of a problem in colder weather. The engine spun but would not start. In other words, the engine attempted to start, sometimes cranking continuously, until it timed out without starting. With time and frequency, we became more concerning that we would be stranded in an undesirable situation. After reading numerous posts on this website, www.gotaclassaction.com/Chrysler-investigated-over-defective-totally-integrated-power-module-tipm-in-2011-2012-Jeep-grand-Cherokee-and-Dodge-durangos/, we were almost certain we had a defective tipm. We took it to a dealer and they indicated it had a fuel relay short internally in the tipm. They suggested a wiring workaround, installing an external fuel pump relay and bypassing the defective tipm. Perhaps this is better than improvising, but we do not know the risks this carries -- the wiring workaround and the still defective tipm -- for going forward. Additionally, we hope there would be a recall of the tipm and reimbursement for the wiring workaround in our future.
Vehicle refused to turn over, service 4X4 and engine light on. Brought to dealer replaced fuel pump. Returned to me with service 4X4 and engine light on, slid down on hill no 4 wheel drive. Returned to dealer 4 weeks later transfer case replaced car jump into 4 wheel low while I was on highway almost put me thru windshield. Back at dealer over 1 week the do not know the problem and stated no one on their country wide database has this problem. I was told today that Jeep headquarters wants all reports sent to them to assist repair. I purchased this car used in October and have not driven it more then 1 week. I have a huge payment and huge rental bills I did file a case with Jeep customer but no help.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle erroneously decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the technician stated that the tip module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Drove vehicle on the beach cape hatteras nc. From ramp 44 to cape point about 1 1/2 mile.vehicle got stuck I backed up and pulled forward 2 times very gently. On the third try someone yelled you are on fire. The transmission had overheated an set the vehicle on fire. Chrysler says I abused the vehicle. I have driven on this beach 40 years with various vehicles. Never had a problem. This Jeep is 4 wheel drive with a sand mode. If these vehicles can heat up this quick with no warning they are a safety problem.
Tipm- I went to start my Jeep this morning that felt like a weak start up, it then hiccuped and died. Thinking it maybe just a one time incident, tried again, with the result of the starter just cranking for about 5-6 seconds. This repeated multiple more times before I called a tow truck to take to a local mechanic. It was diagnosed with bad fuel pumps, and the cost to replace was $1600. This prompted me to call the dealership and ask if that's even possible. After explaining the issue at hand, the service manager told me that he doesn't believe the issue to be caused by faulty pumps, but from the tipm. This is obviously not the first time he has heard of this issue. I then did some research on the web and found this to be a pretty prevalent issue amongst owners of this year, make, and model. When I called him back to see if the backorder issues were true, he told me it would take around three weeks to get the part. I immediately asked for the Jeep corporate number, called them, and began to speak to a guy about it there. He told me that the production rate was one per 7 days... and that coupled with there are tons of these cases out there is why it was going to take a while to get the part. He went on to tell me that sounds crazy, but its just how fast, (or slow) they are producing them. I asked if the new product was a replica of the original and he said this is a solution for the previous one and would fix the problem, not just a bandaid. He advised me to have it fixed and hope the recall comes and I would be eligible for a reimbursement. With the price of this fix being so high and the amount of people affected, this has to be recalled. Please have anyone having this issue file a complaint here. This customer service rep told me there just hasn't been enough formal complaints about it to validate a recall....
Same issue with my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee the tipm needs to be replaced. Purchased used only 25K miles two months later check engine light would not go away, started to stop then had trouble cranking then would not start. Took to local dealership over a month ago, dealership still has my vehicle and im without a car. Extended warranty will no longer pay for my rental. My house is 30 mins away from my job and I have two small children. Chrysler could only "expedite" the tipm to the dealership....meanwhile I'm carless until who knows when. Each week the dealership gives me a different story on when the part will be in.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The contact stated that the engine rpms increased and the vehicle failed to switch gears. The failure was recurring and caused the engine to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the transmission park neutral module. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised the contact that the transmission module was on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 56,310. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the integrated part module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The contact stated while driving 50 mph the transmission shifted independently into a lower gear and caused the vehicle to jerk and lunge. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis who was unable to duplicate the failure but stated that it was most likely a software failure. The software was upgraded. Three months later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but stated they could not replicate the failure. A month later the failure recurred and the vehicle was again taken to the dealer who told the contact that a device installed by the insurance company might be causing the failure. The device was removed and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to file a complaint with the national highway traffic and safety administration. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 33,358 and the current mileage was 36,000. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 01/03/13
Our 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has exhibited multiple instances of sudden unintended acceleration (sua). It has occurred to my wife, one of our sons who is and aerospace engineer and myself on different days at different speeds and locations. I personally have experienced it on two occasions, one of which caused a minor accident as I was backing out of a parking space, with my foot on the brake put the car in drive and it lunged forward of its own Accord, there were two other people in the car and a witness outside the car who reported it just lunged and the brake lights were still on. Chrysler inspected the car, found nothing and has closed the case. I called Chrysler and asked that we discuss the issue they said they found noting, fixed noting and thus the case is closed. So they are calling three people bold face liars and my concern is they did not find anything so the cause of the problem still exists and can happen again and my wife is at risk every time she gets in the car. There are over 1,000 complaints on various forums about sua instances on Jeep Cherokee, channel 7 news even did a segment on it a few years back. Can you please help at all on this issue? thank you.
2011, 2012 Chrysler vehicles with the pentastar V6 3.6 liter engine are rated to tow 5000 lbs unrestricted with the tow package installed. There is a design defect in the cooling system in that it cannot cool the engine when towing about 3500 lbs uphill. The tow vehicle starts uphill at the highway speeds of 65mph in the passing lanes with enough power to continue and suddenly without any warning, lights, etc., the tow vehicle looses power and abruptly slows to a maximum speed of about 27mph. With all other vehicles on the road trying to get by and not slow down, this creates an extremely dangerous situation of attempting to cross 3 lanes or more to get off the road while tractor trailers have to slam on the brakes and hopefully screech to an almost stopped position to avoid killing the families in the tow vehicles. Chrysler has confirmed the problem but has refused to do anything about it and has insisted that the vehicles are working the way they were designed but are obviously not working within the advertised specifications. Chrysler does not want to change the advertised specs due to the fact that it might cost them money, even though many peoples lives are at risk. Chrysler could easily perform a recall and fix the problem, saving lives, but there would be a small monetary cost to Chrysler.
Check engine light comes on, occasionally begins to blink and car idles rough, sounding as if its going to stall. Car has been returned to dealership, pending repair (3rd time in past 10 days). Dealership initially claimed the computer had to be reprogrammed due to an O2 sensor, then on return to the dealership indicated that the O2 sensor needed to be replaced. As of this afternoon, the dealership stated that they are looking inside the cylinder head to see if they can determine problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Utica, NY, USA