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.
Rear differential assembly failed at 15883 miles and again at 62572 miles, consumer finds this failure of the bearings unusual, transfer case adapter seals were leaking, front pinion seal leaking. ABS light illuminated, dealer found ABS sensor at right rear wheel failed, dealer replaced.
While traveling 60mph heard a noise. Noticed smoke in rear mirror. Tried getting off freeway beside ramp. Parked vehicle. Vehicle caught on fire. Towed to dealer. Informed rear differential had gotten hot which caused fire. Had been to dealership several times complaining about differential.
First differential failure happened on vacation trip after I installed two new tires. Jeep started making high pitched whine & passengers & I could detect what smelled like hot fluids. Stopped & noted liquid on engine, tires, and front differential. Liquid was smoking! took to Jeep dealer listed in this report & dealer rebuilt front differential. Said all was ok. After 200 miles, front differential again failed and this time it was a major jolt! this time at 75 mph in heavy traffic! was able to maneuver thru traffic & get to side of road. Front differential was "red hot!" & I was afraid of a fire. Called Jeep roadside assistance & they got me a tow. Dealer where car was towed said front diff got so hot that it warped! also told me that the cause of failure was because I put new tires on front & not back. Said difference in diameters on tires (new vs. Worn) caused the quadra-trac drive to fail. Later inquiry to damler-Chrysler resulted in a "verbal" response that, "if there is as much as 1/2" difference in circumference of tires on the quadra-trac units, a drive train failure can occur." Note that Jeep had a recall on this type of full-time 4 wheel drives, but explained that a fire could result if a smaller spare tire was used. Jeep should have gone further and explained that failure and fire could result from having tires with different circumferences. Jeep has a file on my complaint, but wil not discuss or answer any questions. They also refuse to accept any responsibitlty and the "written response" was, "I have thoroughly reviewed your message and the entire file on this matter. Your concerns are understandable. Unfortunately there is nothing further that can be done to fully address these issues......" I now feel that Jeep is well aware of the "potential safety hazard" associated with this situation and has down played it as much as possible by "just issueing a recall for spare tire usage". the public should be advised!
First differential failure happened on vacation trip after I installed two new tires. Jeep started making high pitched whine & passengers & I could detect what smelled like hot fluids. Stopped & noted liquid on engine, tires, and front differential. Liquid was smoking! took to Jeep dealer listed in this report & dealer rebuilt front differential. Said all was ok. After 200 miles, front differential again failed and this time it was a major jolt! this time at 75 mph in heavy traffic! was able to maneuver thru traffic & get to side of road. Front differential was "red hot!" & I was afraid of a fire. Called Jeep roadside assistance & they got me a tow. Dealer where car was towed said front diff got so hot that it warped! also told me that the cause of failure was because I put new tires on front & not back. Said difference in diameters on tires (new vs. Worn) caused the quadra-trac drive to fail. Later inquiry to damler-Chrysler resulted in a "verbal" response that, "if there is as much as 1/2" difference in circumference of tires on the quadra-trac units, a drive train failure can occur." Note that Jeep had a recall on this type of full-time 4 wheel drives, but explained that a fire could result if a smaller spare tire was used. Jeep should have gone further and explained that failure and fire could result from having tires with different circumferences. Jeep has a file on my complaint, but wil not discuss or answer any questions. They also refuse to accept any responsibitlty and the "written response" was, "I have thoroughly reviewed your message and the entire file on this matter. Your concerns are understandable. Unfortunately there is nothing further that can be done to fully address these issues......" I now feel that Jeep is well aware of the "potential safety hazard" associated with this situation and has down played it as much as possible by "just issueing a recall for spare tire usage". the public should be advised!
- Charleston, WV, USA
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Rear differential ruined from use of smaller spare and driven only 21 miles at 50mph. Uneven traction using smaller spare caused vehicle to be nearly unsafe at 50mph. A full size spare should mandatory.
Vehicle vibration and load roaring noise reported 3 times to dealership. Driveshaft was ordered but the parts were on back-order. We were told the vehicle was safe to drive, but the driveshaft vibration caused the transfer case to blow apart on the interstate at 70mph. This nearly cased the vehicle to go out of control. Dealership then said the failure was due to vehicle abuse, but we had an independent mechanic and our auto insuance claims adjuster certify that the transfer case failure was due to the excessive vibration of the drive shaft. The bottom line: Dealership knew we were driving an un-safe vehicle and tried to cover their error by accusing the customer of vehicle abuse.
I want to know if the time I used the temporary spare, in the rear of the car for a flat tire, had anything to do with the rear differential breaking. I rode on the temporary spare for approximatley 150 miles and the rear differential broke down approximately 10 months later.
Front differential went out after putting new tires on front. Repaired & went 200 miles & failed again. Jeep states that since vehicle is all wheel drive, a 1/2 inch difference in circumference between tires will cause drive train failure--have not seen anything written concerning such close tolerances--could have locked up and caused major accident.
1) differential ring & pinion gear failing. Causes significant pulsation/vibration, most severe at 50-70 mph. Has worsened over past month. Awaiting replacement (2) while accelerating, transmission shifts back and forth btwn 1st and 2nd 2-3 times times before finally settling into 2nd. (3) 4WD transfer case very hard to get into full time 4WD. Also, very hard to get out of any 4WD mode (back to 2wd). Indicator shows 2wd mode when truck still in 4-wd, requires violent reversing to get out of 4WD. (4) left rear door interior vinyl panel has come apart twice, repaired both times.
Was towing a trailer & started smelling burning odor. Stopped vehicle to check & found nothing. Stopped at gas station & noticed trailer covered with black oil. The rear differential gears broke. Waited for parts to be ordered & repairs done to Jeep. This problem has happened at least 4 times. The gears & rebuilt differential were replaced twice before.
The rear carrier bearing in my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee is bad....this would not be a problem but I have been told by many differant mechanics including three local Chrysler dealers that this is a widespread problem that should have been recalled. I reported earlier that it was a pinion bearing, that was in error, it is the rear carrier bearing. What can I do to report this to Chrysler Corp and is there any info you can give me to assist my problem.
The rear pinion bearing on my Grand Cherokee is going bad.......this would not seem to be a problem if not for the fact that every mechnaic I speak to tells me the problem is very widespread. This is a problem according to the machanics that should be recalled. I spoke to the local Jeep dealer, even they agree the problem is widespread, yet nothing is being done by Chrysler Corp to fix the problem!
Ring & pinion gear malfunctioned while driving 45 to 55 mph, resulting in vehicle noise; occurs louder on warm days after warm-up of lubricants, especially during a long drive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mill Valley, CA, USA