10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 25,665 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Vehicle will either not engage transmission after shifting (for about 10 seconds) or less commonly will suddenly accelerate on its own when put in reverse requiring hard pressure of the brakes to stop the vehicle. Both events are probably related but dealer/Chrysler state they can not duplicate the problem. I find this to be a dangerous, life threatening defect and I believe it occurs to other Jeep as well. I will be going through arbitration then through the courts pursuing my rights under the lemon law. I worry more about others who may have defective vehicles and don't take the initiative to protect themselves. I hope NHTSA can investigate this further.
- Boise, ID, USA
Transmission failure.
- Josha, TX, USA
I first called the dealership; they reported there were no recalls on this type of defeat. Then I reported the incident to my insurance company. I later found there is an investagation on this happening to Jeep. I did $8,000 damage to my Jeep and another car. No safety defect listed.
- Ashland, OH, USA
While driving, consumer applied brakes and without warning brakes made noise and skipped. The rear axle seals were leaking. Left front out side mirror was loose. The right front window rattles. The rear hatch light was inoperable. The brakes pulsated and the rotors were resurfaced. Shock absorber makes noise when hitting slight bumps. The vehicle rattle in front at 15-30 mph. The front tires were wearing out due to misalignment. The vehicle was hard to start after warmed up.
- Yakam, WA, USA
I bought this Jeep new. I was shocked when I found out how abrupt the transmission changed gears. I was even more shocked when I took the Jeep in for repairs and I was told this was a normal charataristic for this type of vehcile. Nonetheless, the dealer changed the "spider gears" in an effort to correct a problem that really wasn't there. Have yet to figure that one out. This Jeep is dangerous due to the abrupt, lurking motion it makes at higher speeds. Dealership says there is no problem and DaimlerChrysler says the same thing. It's a normal operation of the transmission. Lies, lies, and more lies. I'm going to court and get my money back.
- Ringgold, VA, USA
The drivetrain was removed and replaced.
- Crossville, TN, USA
While traveling on highway vehicle stalls without prior warning, and will not restart. Dealership is aware of problem. Transmission was hard to shift.
- Parker, CO, USA
I suffered serious injuries as a result of this failure and have incurred large medical bills. I am aware that other years of this model have been recalled, but not the 2001. This defect continues in the 2001 vehicles. My vehicle suffered no damage and there was no property damage. My medical bills are continuing as I am still being treated for my injuries.
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Sudden, violent jerking and transmission slippage while slowing down for stop or yield. Resulting motion is strong enough to cause seat belt locks to activate and jolt the occupants. Problem is highly sporadic and no "cause and effect" has been discernable.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Brakes vibrate and do not slow vehicle adequately. When slowing transmission downshifts into low gear and vehicle accelerates and lurches forward. To compensate for this sudden acceleration additional pressure on the brake pedal is required to avoid loosing control. This is unsafe and will cause an accident if not addressed properly.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
The drivetrain was removed and replaced.
- Crossville, TN, USA
When shifting from park to any other gear, the transmission makes a loud clunking sound, along with a "moan" which continues until I take my foot totally off the brake. Never have a problem while vehicle is underway. Taken to dealer twice and told that this is normal for an electronic transmission. I have had "lesser" vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them and they never made such noises. People actually turn and look toward my vehicle if I happen to be in a populated area and need to shift the automobile. To say the least, it is annoying and embarassing.
- Higganum, CT, USA
Vehicle has a ticking sound when T approaching a hill. Also, transmission has a hard drive. Dealership is aware of problem.
- Alexander, VA, USA
I purchased/ leased a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3/24/01. The day after I drove it off the lot, I noticed a problem with the transmission. The transmission, when down-shifting from 2nd to 1st gear shifted very, very hard- so hard that there was a loud thumping/banging noise that was quite audible and distracting, and also this abnormal shifting caused the car to lurch forward. I immediately called the dealer to express my concern over a new vehicle with such a rough transmission. I was assured by the service dept. That all the new electronic transmissions started off rough the 1st thousand miles, and that it needed to break in. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, although I was very skeptical; never in my life having experienced such a horribly rough transmission- esp. On a brand new vehicle. After 1000 miles, there was no improvement, and I took the vehicle in to be evaluated. I was assured by the mechanic that all the Grand Cherokee transmissions are like this- it's a build up of the hydrolic fluids or something. I once again believed them (not really) and went on my way. The vehicle continued to do this, the sound getting very loud and quite startling at times while in traffic. It also is quite embarassing with passengers in the car who also have become quite startled by the loudness and sheer force of the lurching. I took my vehicle in a second time for evaluation only to be told, nothing was wrong. It is my feeling that this is a severe defect of some sort. In all my years of driving, I have never experienced such problems- except maybe from a manual transmission that bucked. I am planning to take my car in yet a third time and demand the problem be resolved, or I will be invoking my rights under the lemon laws. In light of the recent problems with Grand Cherokee, and their shifting into gear while idling, I cannot say that I am surprised. My vehicle also when shifted into reverse, sometimes makes a very loud clunking, rough shift. Please advise.
- Phillipsburg, NJ, USA
While vehicle is in operation transmission is causing vehicle to jerk by jumping into a lower gear. Dealership has examined vehicle and cannot reproduce the problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
- Houston, TX, USA
- King Of Prussia, PA, USA