10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 21,642 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.
When I drive my car and I start to brake at in the speed range of 20mph to 65mph, my brake pedal starts to vibrate and my steering wheel starts to shake uncontrollably, I have to start pumping the brakes for the steering wheel to become nearly moderately controllable. I have been reading online that many people with the same year Jeep Grand Cherokee have been having the same problem. Even with earlier models. Why hasn't there been a recall on this yet, there is something obviously wrong with the brake or steering system.
- Brookfield, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while stopping the vehicle in the snow the brakes would lock up, causing the vehicle to slide. Since the vehicle is out of warranty the dealer will not repair the vehicle at no charge. The contact feels the manufacturer should repair the vehicle for free due to the safety risk of a potential crash. The failure mileage was 12,000.
- Roseville, MI, USA
Brakes make wheel shake every time they are applied. Causing the car to stop poorly.
- Mulberry , FL, USA
The steering wheel vibrates horribly and the whole vehicle pulsates forward and back whenever you try to stop. We have replaced the rotors/pads five times since purchasing the Jeep new in 2003. It started at 15,054 (Aug "04), then 24,038 (class action suit), 34,700 (turned), 36,000, and now again at 46,000(Sept "09). Well over $1000 into repairs and we still don't feel the vehicle is any safer or make the gc any more pleasant to drive. We don't have much faith in nhsta doing anything about it after reading all the other complaints but thought we would add to the issue. Aren't reliable brakes considered something of a safety issue? there are pages and pages of complaints on the internet and Chrysler chooses to do nothing. Maybe they should have just gone bankrupt since they can't build a reliable vehicle. It seems to us a there should be a recall to repair the faulty brakes, especially after a class action suit was issued in 2006.
- Centerton, AR, USA
About 3,000 miles ago the brakes began to pulse when applied during highway trips. This grew worse as time went on. Now they pulse even in the cold weather in December in ct during short trips (2-3 miles). When they pulse, the steering wheel shakes badly (as does the whole vehicle) especially at higher speeds and on longer trips. I will no longer allow my wife to drive it on highways. Today I went to action motors (Jeep dealership in danbury, ct) and discussed the issue with two service managers. I was told that this was "normal" and that when brakes get "hot' they overheat the rotors and the rotors warp. Action motors wanted to replace the rotors at my cost. They said there was no Jeep recall on the issue. I mentioned that this was the identical issue that Jeep Grand Cherokee had in 1999 through 2003 and why did I have to pay for the defective design (does Jeep not realize that brakes get hot when they are used). They told me the only reason that Jeep offered free repair to those model years was that it was a result of a "law suit" against Jeep. They also tried to convince me that this was normal on all makes of cars and to expect it. I have owned many cars in my many years of driving and none have experienced this issue under any conditions or any mileage. Seems someone or many must die before Jeep accepts responsibility. I do not wish to have Jeep repair my brakes at my cost. I no longer trust their intentions or their commitment to safety. I would like to take it to another repair shop but do not know how that might affect any "recall" directed by NHTSA that may occur in the future. The brake repair will have to been done very soon to make the car safe to operate. Shame on Jeep.
- Ridgefield, CT, USA
Front rotors are warped I have had to get them replaced or resurfaced every 8,000 miles this is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I find that the brakes start to pulsate every time its time to replace or resurface rotors. I have to pay out money each time this is very dangerous can some one tell me if Chrysler has a permanent fix for this please help
- Charleston, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the front rotors were replaced and turned twice approximately 8,000 miles apart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the rotors are warped again, which is causing the vehicle to pulsate and vibrate when braking. The current mileage was 29,779 and failure mileage was 14,591.
- Plattsmouth , NE, USA
Front rotors are warped. Had them replaced by the dealer at 14,591 miles and resurfaced (turned) at 22,214 miles. Both times under warranty. I currently have 29,779 miles on the Jeep and the rotors are causing the brakes to, once again, pulsate every time I apply them. It's no longer under warranty. If I have to have them replaced or resurfaced every 8000 miles... this is going add up. If I continue to use them in disrepair, I think this may be dangerous. It feels dangerous. Chrysler needs to find a permanent "fix" for this problem.
- Plattsmouth, NE, USA
Purchased a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2wd a little over a year ago. Within 3500 miles a unbearable front end shake started to occur. Within the next 2K-3K miles the front end shake became extremely intense and is still ongoing. When speeds in excess of 30 mph are reached, very intense front end pulsations occur without failure each and everytime the brakes are applied. I have never in my life encountered such an ongoing issue that the manufacturer refuses to take responsibility. Thanks daimler/Chrysler! I will never own another Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler product again.
- Ooltewah, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the ABS would not lock or "grip" as quickly as it should. The failure caused difficulty when braking. She also noticed that there was a "gliding" effect when driving 40 mph and attempting to brake. Furthermore, she experienced difficulty turning the steering wheel. As a result, she made wide turns due to the amount of effort she had to put into turning the wheel. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they checked the brakes. The dealer changed the brake pads and stated that everything was fine. The second time the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the ABS failure she was informed again that everything was fine. The vehicle has not been inspected for the steering failure. The current mileage was approximately 43,000 and failure mileage was approximately 20.
- Central Islip, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 10 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal in rainy weather conditions to prepare for an emergency stop, and the pedal went completely to the floor. The vehicle would not stop and the contact crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle also appeared to experience a mild increase in speed instead of the ABS unit activating. During the failure, she concluded that when the ABS activated, it malfunctioned and prevented her from coming to a complete stop. The contact has a copy of the police report and pictures of the incident. She is in the process of having the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. She is also in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 84,000.
- Olive Branch , MS, USA
We purchased the vehicle new. After replacing brakes 4 times, we still have pulsing when we brake and the steering wheel shakes horribly. There are only 36,000miles on the vehicle and we have also had to replace the tires due to cupping. No one knows what is causing the problem, they just keep replacing the brakes only to have them continue to pulse. I can't believe any of the mechanics that have looked at the vehicle would enjoy driving a vehicle like this, still we are stuck with it. I read on one site that it could be the calipers; maybe Chrysler should look into it. We hold our breath that we will stop when we put on the brakes. Why isn't Chrysler made accountable for faulty brakes/calipers when it could cause an accident?
- Centerton, AR, USA
My Jeep Grand Cherokee has 60K miles. Brake discs have been replaced 4 times and resurfaced 2 times since the car had 14K miles. New brake discs last only 6-10K miles before they become warped. When I brake, there is strong pulsation. Contacted Jeep several times but company denied responsibility.
- Gainesville, FL, USA
Warped front brake rotors. I received Chrysler notice to take my Jeep to dealer for inspection. Dealer gave it a quick drive around the block and said the rotors were not bad enough to require replacement. Few thousand miles later the warping became very bad and I returned to dealer. Dealer said it was too late as I already had the inspection. Chrysler customer service would not help either. I replaced the brake rotors and pads at my own expense.
- N. Smyrna Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle would shutter when the brake pedal was applied. The dealer replaced the transfer case, rotors, and the brake pads on three occasions; however, the failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 97,000.
- Shinglehouse , PA, USA
A one foot hydraulic brake line at the rear of my vehicle is badly rusted and the fittings are leaking.
- N. Smyrna Beach, FL, USA
2004 Grand Cherokee began pulsating and vibrating make it hard to keep steering wheel steady. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the rotors were resurfaced. This alleviated the vibration temporarily. Next the front and rear brakes had to be replaced and the front and rear rotors had to be resurfaced. After the repairs were made the consumer was told about a brake recall fro the 2004 Jeep. The concern was then told the send copies of invoices along with cancelled check to the manufacturer for reimbursement. The manufacturer only provided the consumer with a partial reimbursement.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee front and rear brakes were pulsating while brake pedal was depressed. Mechanic determined the front and rear rotors and brake pads needed to be replaced.
- Hagerstown, MD, USA
Consumer requesting reimbursement for brake repairs done on a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle had consistent vibration while braking since the date of purchase. On July 15, 2006 the vehicle was taken to a dealer who did a brake inspection and suggested that the front and rear brakes be replaced. The consumer agreed to the repairs but ant no point did anyone a the dealer mention a brake defect that was being addressed through a class action law suit. On July 26 the consumer received a letter in referencing the class action settlement which provided a free brake inspection certificate. The consumer feels that the repairs should have been paid by the manufacturer under the class action settlement. Updated
- Troy, NY, USA
- Bowmansville, PA, USA