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.
I get on my car, I put the ignition to ON and the wipers went on, I tried to turn them off and found out that none of the controls on my steering wheel where responding.
This is a list of all the symptoms:
The turn signals are not working. The rear wiper is not working. The front wipers are ON. The traction control is OFF and with no way to turn it back on. Buttons on the steering wheel are not working, none of them, except for the ones that control the radio. The heated steering wheel, tow/haul, traction control and 110v plug switches not responding. The interior lights are not working. The headlights worked but there's no way to control high or low beams.
I went online and did some research, found that some other people were having the same issue and some of them said that they had the issue resolved by kind of flushing all electronics, by leaving the battery unplugged overnight. So I did that and guess what... same issue when I plugged it back...
So I took my car into the dealer for a further diagnosis. They say the clock spring has an internal failure, but after installing a new clock spring/multi-function switch module the problems still existed. I have no clue where to go from here since the cash to get this unknown issue fixed really is a problem. It's the only family car that is able to make the trips it needs for my child and her mother's sake.
I just wish i knew what could get this fixed. It is beginning to be a large headache with no light at the end of the tunnel.
Here are the problems I've had with the electrical system over the years...
-engine will shut off while I'm driving... this one is pretty scary
-driver side seat heater stopped working... the light goes on and then turns off after a few seconds and the seat never gets warm
-fob will sometimes not unlock the non-driver side doors
-fob recently won't lock the doors... the horn will honk, but none of the doors lock
-I get an error message that one of the tires is low (I think it is back left), but it's not
-I can't turn on the cruise control... the only way for me to make it work is to circle my finger around all 4 cruise control buttons in quick succession
A couple of weeks ago I took my 2011 Grand Cherokee to the dealer for the normal maintenance (oil and filter change). However, there were a couple of recalls and I asked them to take care of those as well. The recalls were related to the Fuel Pump Relay and to the Sun Visor (which apparently can short-circuit and cause a fire). They also told me there was a firmware update for the TIPM so I also got that done.
3 weeks later, I get on my car, I put the ignition to ON and the wipers went on, I tried to turn them off and found out that non of the controls on my steering wheel where responding.
This is a list of all the symptoms:
- Turn signals not working.
- Rear wiper not working
- Front wipers ON.
- Traction control OFF and no way to turn it back on.
- Buttons on the steering wheel not working, none of them, except for the ones that control the radio.
- Heated steering wheel, tow/haul, traction control and 110v plug switches not responding.
- Interior lights not working.
- Headlights worked but no way to control high or low beams.
I went online and did some research, found that some other people were having the same issue and some of them said that they had the issue resolved by kind of flushing all electronics by leaving the battery unplugged overnight. So I did that and guess what... same issue when I plugged it back...
So, I took the wipers out (since I couldn't turn them off) and drove my car to the dealer (without turn signals remember?...). They've had the car for 2 days already, yesterday (after 10 communication attempts) they called me back and told me they were still trying to find the issue, that the computer was 'throwing a lot of error codes' and that they were trying to determinate the issue but that it could be a defective TIPM.
I have no idea of how much this is going to cost to get fixed but the truth is, I got this car 2 months ago, looked perfectly fine, very well maintained and now I will probably have to put more money out of my pocket to get this thing resolved...
Reading on the forums I have also become aware of the big safety issues that a faulty TIPM may cause, read of people's cars stalling in the middle of traffic!!! I am really concerned now about my safety and I wish I didn't buy this car....
Key fobs aren't recognized when trying to enter the vehicle. Key fobs indicates key has left vehicle when fob is still in vehicle. Key fobs will not allow push button start with fob in car. Batteries are replaced every other month with constant issues with fobs not recognized by the vehicle.
The horn, headlights and tail lights, and door locks will go on and off all by themselves. Also, the windows will go down without anyone being in the car. I have come out of the house to get in the car, and my windows would be down. I have been at work, go to my car, and the window is down. I have even been in the car and the window will go down.
My mother and I stood on the porch and watched the lights flashing on and off several times. It is horrible. I called about the 4 recalls, and I am told the deal does not have the parts to fix the recalls. I am not even sure if this problem is associated with any of these recalls.
I diffidently need help. I cannot afford a new car or to pay for this problem, and I should not have to.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I get on my car, I put the ignition to ON and the wipers went on, I tried to turn them off and found out that none of the controls on my steering wheel where responding.
This is a list of all the symptoms:
The turn signals are not working. The rear wiper is not working. The front wipers are ON. The traction control is OFF and with no way to turn it back on. Buttons on the steering wheel are not working, none of them, except for the ones that control the radio. The heated steering wheel, tow/haul, traction control and 110v plug switches not responding. The interior lights are not working. The headlights worked but there's no way to control high or low beams.
I went online and did some research, found that some other people were having the same issue and some of them said that they had the issue resolved by kind of flushing all electronics, by leaving the battery unplugged overnight. So I did that and guess what... same issue when I plugged it back...
So I took my car into the dealer for a further diagnosis. They say the clock spring has an internal failure, but after installing a new clock spring/multi-function switch module the problems still existed. I have no clue where to go from here since the cash to get this unknown issue fixed really is a problem. It's the only family car that is able to make the trips it needs for my child and her mother's sake.
I just wish i knew what could get this fixed. It is beginning to be a large headache with no light at the end of the tunnel.
- Lucien O., Enid, OK, US