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 Laredo. The contact stated that when trying to accelerate and merging onto the freeway, the vehicle would hesitate and the engine rpms would increase drastically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised her that the failure was caused by a computer malfunction, among other things. The vehicle was reprogrammed but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they advised that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Updated 12/28/11 the consumer no longer owns the vehicle. Updated 05/02/12
Tried to pass another vehicle on the highway by pressing down on accelerator expecting to have more power to come on as vehicle goes into lower kick-down gear and my vehicle started to shake "violently" with no increase in power coming on. This loss of power/violent shaking almost caused and accident from the vehicle behind me as I lost power with no warning to car behind me as break lights would not be applied by me as I was trying to speed up. I encountered the "violent shaking" situation 4 times in total. I would compare the feeling to driving a manual stick shift and not giving it enough gas and as a result the car starts shaking uncontrollably. I am concerned the outcome in the future may not be as favorable for me or others if they experience this situation..
Transmission shifted into 4 wheel drive (4WD) low, suddenly, accompanied by a clunk and change in vehicle speed from downshifting. Lights came one in the dash indicating loss of traction control and 4WD service needed. This event continued to happen sporadically while driving until we made it back to the dealership. Since downshifting into 4WD low occurred while driving at normal roadway operating speeds (approximately 20-40 mph) it certainly felt like a safety issue, compounded by the fact that traction control was lost as a result. Once back at the dealership, the service department found that the transfer case had an internal failure. The vehicle was in the shop for about 3 weeks and while the transfer case was replaced under warranty. Due to this negative experience with the vehicle we no longer felt safe driving it, and ended up trading it in for another vehicle just a few weeks after getting it back from the shop.
Driving down the street when white steam like smoke comes from under the hood. The smoke becomes dense and there is a smell of hot transmission fluid. The vehicle begins to power off and upon exiting the vehicle there is a strong smell of transmission fluid and a large pool of fluid discharged under the vehicle. The car was towed and returned to the dealership. The dealers technician reported, "technician performed visual inspections and clean off of fluid found the transmission cooler lines at the radiator had disconnected due to not be improper connection issues reinstalled both transmission cooler lines and clamped lines, tested pressure on both lines. Filled system and test drove and cleaned (due to massive spray from lines coming loose), pulled vehicle back into shop and rechecked fluid level and cleaned area (repeated this process several times to bring fluid level to proper level) finish cleaning engine area and verified. Parts:6 fluid-atf +4". my issue is that I had just exited a high speed, 65mph, highway and if this failure had happened on something less then a slow secondary road with no traffic, there could have been a significant accident or potential injury.
When driving between 0 to 5 miles per hour I pressed on the accelerator pedal while the auto was either on level surface or at the beginning of a small incline the auto did not move forward. Then I shifted the auto into reverse and stepped on the accelerator pedal and the auto did not move backwards. I then turned the auto off with the auto shifted into park. Then I restarted the auto and shifted into drive and pressed on the accelerator pedal and the auto did move forward. The same day I brought the auto into the Jeep dealer whom I leased the auto from just five days earlier, to identify and fix the defect causing the aforementioned problem. On Monday 11/8/10 the dealer informed me the vehicle is operating as designed and they found nothing wrong with it, and they returned the vehicle to me. I am concerned that the defect which caused the aforementioned problem on 11/6/10 could cause reoccurrence(s) of the aforementioned problem (even at higher speeds)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Marysville, WA, USA