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:
2 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,086 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 rear window glass in the lift-gate exploded into thousands of shattered fragments, without cause or warning in my non-moving vehicle. This is the second time this has happened within the last three years. It appears to be a design defect that is insafe to the driver and others. The vehicle was stationary in a parking area and I was inside it with my family on the most recent occasion. The prior event iccurred with my husband standing outside the vehicle, as he closed the lift-gate. I previously owned a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 11 years, and there were no problems with the old design of the rear window glass. The 2011 design has the rear wiper and motor directly mounted onto the glass, which may be the problem. I suffered glass cuts and glass debris into one eye.
The engine stops running without warning or notice. Not even a check engine light. The Jeep stalls without any electrical symptoms but the steering, engine, and braking systems fail. Only happens when decelerating. Doesn't happen every deceleration. I've been lucky to have been going in a straight line toward a stop. Normally under a half tank of gas but even that is not reliable. If you search the internet for "Jeep Grand Cherokee engine shuts down while driving" you'll find a pretty robust collection of stories where consumers like me unwittingly paid many thousands of dollars for a car that is trying to kill them. You're answer to the tipm recall (the fuel pump circuit breaker? the first half-ass attempt by crysler to troubleshoot this nightmare) says "the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported" which I found hilarious since I am still making payments on a vehicle with an obvious manufacture's defect that the entire internet cannot find a standard solution to other than to sell the vehicle off to another unsuspecting victim.
I purchased this Jeep 2nd hand, the Jeep dealership told me that there is a "problem" in the HVAC system. Many 2011 Grand Cherokee owners have told me they have had similar problems. My problems resulted in an overheating, small smoke/fire related problem, which I quickly stopped. Over the past 3 years, repair costs have been approx $8,000--(I have repair invoices, I'll attach some, but they are too numerous to scan and attach all now. Will follow up with them if necessary). The following all replaced at my expense: 1)...replaced the entire A/C system, including the condenser and all associated parts for heating/cooling, including lines carrying freon, 2)...replaced the water pump, 3)...replaced the blend doors and actuators three times--(twice parts under warranty). But, this was only a temporary fix. The problems reoccurred several weeks after repairing. 4)...a month ago the dealer replaced the heater core, and it's housing, claiming that the housing was melted by the heater core. 5)...the result of regularly overheating--(coolant temperatures between 226-230-F), coolant has continuously been leaking on all parts below/around the leaks on the front passenger side, causing abnormal corrosion. These issues have been happening for the last 3 years, when the car is stationary or moving, city or highway driving.
Transmission locked up with no warning. When brought to dealer he advised me it would have to go to aamco transmission for the proper diagnosis and have it fixed
My dashboard bubbled up on passenger side, fake wood trim under dash fell off, alternator failed fried battery and computer, quadra2 suspension failing, this all at 82000 miles and after multiple recalls. I paid $40 K.im at shop now with suspension 24 hrs after paying 1200. & Jeep in shop 8 days. The alternator failed a wk before 3.4.2019. Dashboard and trim occurred after warranty expired
- Salem, VA, USA
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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L is randomly stalling while slowing down from speeds around 55+mph. Has happened twice in last 2 months. I lose power steering and power brake abilities. Electrical components remain on after vehicle stalls. Once stalling, the vehicle will start right back up with no problems and drive fine. This happens about once a month and is very unsafe. I was in a near collision this last time and am afraid to drive this vehicle with myself or other people in the car.
Vehicle looses complete power while turning left after approxomately 2.5 miles from cold start. Complete loss of power has ocurred on 5 occasions. The result is no power breaks and no power steering in addition to complete electrial shut off. This has rtesulted in the being unable to complete the turn and entering the on coming lane.
Every few weeks, for the last few months, when braking and making a right hand turn the engine completely stalls. Power brakes and power steering are lost. The car needs to then be placed into neutral, or park, to be restarted. This has happened at speeds between 20-40 mph and has resulted in near-miss accidents. I have read several complaints online that it has happened to other people while on highway exit ramps. I would bring it to the dealer for diagnosis, but since it happens infrequently the likelihood of it happening to them for diagnosis is not good. I have attached a document with links to others' complaints of this issue. As you will read, there is no dealer consensus for a diagnosis, or repair. Lastly, there was a recall (P54) in 2014 that involved fixing stalling. That recall was performed on my car at the time, so that does not explain this situation.
Vehicle shows " air suspension service/repair" message shortly after starting vehicle and will flash message throughout time vehicle is driven. Has had air compressor pump replaced within the last year. Local dealership (coast auto in Oregon) unable to diagnose or fix problem over multiple visits. Vehicle is unable to move between vehicle heights or will drop and sit on wheels making it inoperable. Dash leather is wrinkling and bubbling.
Leather dashboard is bubbling/wrinkling up. The wrinkles in the leather dash could cause an irregular passenger airbag deployment. Jeep dealer tate in frederick md refused to acknowledge this is a manufacturing defect. There are thousands of complaints online about this. Just google for the year make and model and wrinkles in the leather dash. Horror pictures and stories. I am one of them. Please help I am very concerned now that I read this issue could cause an irregular passenger airbag deployment.
Leather dash on vehicle is separating and bubbling in areas that cover the passenger airbag. And deforming defrost vents, causing air to deflect from window during defrost mode. Unknown time dash started bubbling as I am the second owner, but it has gotten worse in the last 3 months. Concerned dash will not allow passenger airbag to work correctly. Vehicle currently has 79,000 miles
This is the worse vehicle I have ever bought! never again! I been stranded several times. As soon as I get a jump and bring it to have it checked the mechanic states nothing is wrong with the alternator or the battery. No codes pop up as anything is wrong. I've been in a life threatening situation where my car stalled while I was driving on a main road. The only way I could get the car to work was to turn it off and start it again. Then it was fine. I called the dealership and they said they haven't heard of anything as far as recalls. That has happened at least 3 times. Another problem that I have experienced was the car accelerating on its on. I called the dealership and they were not concerned. And another problem is my passenger side window all of a sudden would get stuck. Ive had problems from day one and the dealership acts like it is no concern. As I read majority of complain is falling to electrical problems, especially with the tipm but nothing is getting done about it. I constantly check this site to see if the government is going to protect the consumers by forcing more recalls on electrical or tipm boards, but they are not doing anything about it. What is it going to take, many lives taken away over it"??"
The leather dashboard has been bubbling and separating from the substrate thereby causing the defrost vents to be obstructed and not defrost window correctly. I have had no acccident yet.
If I hit a bump in the road my Jeep vibrates all over for several seconds nearly every time, and once I get up to 60 mph it vibrates constantly until I slow back down. This is a very scary feeling, and I have done research on this issue and have found out that it is a very common problem with all Jeep and is also known as the "death wobble". Jeep really needs to address this issue, and make the safety of the vehicle better.
A/C-heating blend doors hot on one side and cold on the other no matter what the settings are on. Have recharged A/C and did not solve issue. Also, turned heater/de-froster to 80 degrees to defog windshield and was blowing cold air not hot.
Right rear door power locks do not work; all other doors work with main control and key fob. One must manually lock or unlock the right rear door. Per dealership it needs to be replaced with door latch P/N 4589922ah @ $340 total parts and labor plus tax. Safety concern for rear seat occupants.
When cruise control is on but breaking to slow down and turn in limited lighting (dawn, dusk, rain, snow) my Jeep completely shuts off - power steering, breaks, everything. It has happened multiple times now and I have to coast to the shoulder and re-start - thank goodness I have not been hit (yet). No errors or warnings read.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Boulder, CO, USA