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:
6 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,581 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.
Push button start will not turn over engine on first attempt. Starter continues to crank for 10 seconds. Upon second or third try engine turns over with no further sign of a problem. Problem repeated again within 3 days.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start when the push start button was activated. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph making a left turn, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V530000 (fuel/propulsion system). However, the parts were not available to perform the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Jeep hard to start when engine is cold due to faulty tipm and fuel relay. Jeep will attempt to start, but will not turn over. Jeep loses throttle and dies at idle.
- Signal Mountain, TN, USA
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In June 2012 my vehicle began giving problems starting after several days back and forth to the dealer I was told my vehicle needs a PCM. The PCM was ordered and replaced but the problem still exist. I was then told the tipm had an issue. The tipm was replaced and the vehicle seems to be working as far as the issues starting but I kept having problems with the vehicle shutting off while driving. Months and moths went by with me having this issue until they placed a device on my vehicle to record what's happening. After keeping my vehicle for a whole day to remove the device, a week later they said it did not record anything because it went dead. However, I was told to bring the vehicle back in for them to check spark plugs, transmission, and other things I did so and the problem went a way for couple months only to come right back. Right now I am right back at square one with the vehicle giving a hard start and the vehicle shutting off while driving. Something needs to be done about these vehicles. They need to be overhauled.
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.
When cranking my vehicle it begins to stall and sounds as if it is flooding. It continues to do this until I can get it to turn off. The stalling is continuous. When I took my Jeep to the dealership they informed that the problem I am experiencing is due to a defective totally integrated power module, or tipm. This defective part is the cause of the problems I'm incurring with starting my vehicle and it's stalling. While researching the issue I learned that the tipm can "prevent the fuel pump from shutting off properly, cause headlights and taillights to shut off, and can cause random and uncontrollable activity of the horn, windshield wipers, alarm system, door locks, and airbags."
Vehicle began presenting with grinding noise upon start up (similar noise to turning the key in older vehicle once engine was running). Brought to dealer's attention at time of service - dealer could not duplicate grinding noise. Within a few weeks, vehicle began taking more than 1 attempt to turn engine over (sometimes up to 4-5 attempts), including prolonged engagement of starter motor. If multiple attempts, noticed rich fuel smell. Mentioned to dealer at time of next scheduled service - dealer could not duplicate starting problems over the course of 2 days in their care. Dealer said to wait for more frequent occurrences to begin then they would check again. Starting issues were intermittent and continued to occur until last week, where after "hard start, " vehicle engine stalled while in reverse pulling out of parking spot (<5 mph); however, power to lights and radio remained on; steering locked up, and had to push vehicle to safe spot. Took 2 starts to get engine running again. Next day, after 4 failed starting attempts (5th successful), had battery tested and replaced day after thinking it could be part of problem (starter and alternator tested fine). The day after battery replacement, vehicle produced what sounded like abnormal start, then engine stalled while in motion under 5 miles per hour. Based on evidence and prior reports, faulty tipm is suspect. We are fortunate that both stalls occurred under 5 mph; it is only a matter of time before this happens at highway speeds. Hoping the NHTSA will force Chrysler's hand into opening formal investigation into faulty electrical systems in vehicles.
Driving in to work and completing a corner (vehicle traveling approximately 30mph) when engine stopped running (accessories stayed on). No warning lights previous to the incident or after. Lost power steering and brakes. Was able to muscle car around the corner and coasted to a stop. Vehicle is push button start so I pushed button to turn accessories off, then attempted to restart the car. Restart worked with no warning/problem lights. Completed drive in to work with no other problems. This is the first time this happened. Called dealer (ziegler kalamazoo) and told them what happened and got soonest available service appointment (one week from day incident occurred). Called Chrysler to report incident as was told they would make a note in my "file", but could/would not take any other action. Chrysler recommended working with the dealer.
Vehicle will not start. I am told it is related to a tipm failure. 1300 dollars to fix on a car that is out of warranty with less than 20K miles. The part is also ok back order for over a month. I am told there could be random deployment of airbags also.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving various speeds, the engine would stall. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Also, the instrument panel warning indicators intermittently illuminated. The dealer stated that the tipm unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Driving home from work on a Friday afternoon, while making a turn in residential area, the engine cut off and the steering locked up. The radio, instrument panel and A/C were all still on, so did not immediately realize the engine was off. Was able to restart after putting vehicle into park. Fortunately, no other vehicles were behind me or could have been worse. Dealer not able to find what was wrong since they could not replicate it, so was not able to repair problem. Has not recurred, but now very scary driving, not knowing if it will happen again.
Vehicle would not start due to failed totally integrated power module. The tipm would not send power to the fuel pump and engine would not start. Chrysler knows about this problem but fails to take responsibility for the defect.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 68,887.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 60 mph, the engine stalled. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000. Updated 01/07/14 the consumer stated the vehicle would not start if the motor was not warmed up first. It would take 4-6 different starting attempts/cycles in order to start up the motor. The totally integrated power module was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 06/8/2015
I bought my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, brand new... literally 0 miles on it. Beginning at just shy of 36,000 miles it began to intermittently have cranking and starting issues. Every time I would take it to the service center at the dealership, they could never get the problem to "replicate." After several diagnostic tests costing $104.86 each, they found nothing. When the vehicle reached 38,902 miles, and after the problem became more recurrent the dealership had me to replace my key fob battery and update the software in my PCM & wcm. ($170) the problem didn't subside, and I was left to deal with the problem which occurred at most inopportune times, but only intermittently... until yesterday. After approximately a dozen+ attempts to get the Jeep to crank and start, I took to youtube (youtu.be/27xkm0faiwi) where I found that I was not alone. Not only am I not alone, I now realize what a systemic problem this is and that Jeep/ Chrysler/ Dodge must certainly be aware of it. I took my Jeep into my local tampa, fl. Dealer today fully expecting to get the run-around, and for the first time they didn't disappoint... just as suspected they passed the buck. They charged me another $104.86 for a "diagnostic test" (which I already had informed them of what they'd find)! they then quickly handed me a repair quote of $1,300+ tax. I called Chrysler's customer assistance center (1-800-992-1997) and I spoke with a representative who basically after a 30 minute conversation of explaining my situation stated that if I would have caught the undiagnosed issue at 36,000 miles and while it was under warranty, it'd would have been covered. So essentially all that could be done was for me to leave my Jeep with them for who knows how long and pay the assessed fee. She then added that I could file a complaint with the N.H.T.S.a (1-888-327-4236) to which I did.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that upon starting, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after waiting a few hours. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
After much research, I have found that my tipm is bad. My vehicle started experiencing issues with starting and stalling in January of 2014 (@ just over 30K miles). Initially I did not think much of the problem as it was in January and cold here in Colorado. The problem mildly continued in Feb and March... fast forward to July 2014 and the problem became more prevalent. I finally have an appointment with the local dealership to look at the problem (tomorrow - 28august2014). It is now a daily occurrence that my vehicle will not start without many attempts and once it does start, it stalls and the engine turns off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jacksonville, FL, USA