2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 761 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Grand Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 48 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 56 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured November 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under safety recalls 12V527 and 13V040. All owners that have not had the recall repair performed under safety recalls 12V527 or 13V040 are strongly encouraged to have it performed and not wait for the final remedy to be deployed to the field. The recall began on December 29, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R06.
Campaign 15V046000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 8, 2012
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013. The remedy for affected Liberty vehicles is expected to be available in April 2013. The remedy for affected Grand Cherokee vehicles is expected to be available later in the year. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Campaign 12V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerApr 9, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 103,409 MY 2001-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS AND WITH CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 06V-197 COMPLETED (03-04 MY) OR SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS SERVICE REPLACEMENT (01-02 MY). THE FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENTS COULD OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE OR INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 09V117000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENT COULD OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATING COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V197000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpFeb 1, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
Campaign 06E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 24, 2016
2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL AND WINDOW MOTOR REGULATOR ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS. *SMD ALSO, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW MOTOR REGULATORS BROKE, THE CD PLAYER MALFUNCTIONED, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Tires, Apr 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V054000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR, HEAT SENSOR, BRAKES AND TIRES. UPDATED 07/28/15*JB
Service brakes, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V154000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Service brakes, Aug 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V154000 (SERVICE BRAKES , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 19, 2013
I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY (WHICH HAS A SMALL INCLINE) AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING DOWN MY DRIVE WAY, UNTIL PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND DIFFERENT PLACES, I.E WORK, GAS STATION, HOME, SCHOOL. THIS HAS NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT YET SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE DRIVERS SEAT EVERY TIME SO FAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2012
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT MY JEEP STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, SURGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK BOTH AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND AT STOP SIGNS, ALWAYS WHILE STOPPED. THE RPMS HAVE INCREASED TO BETWEEN 1,500 AND 4,500. THE JEEP DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT ON TUESDAY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED ON MY WAY HOME AND AGAIN WITH A MECHANIC IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK. TO DATE, THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2011, crash
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT, TURNED RIGHT TO PULL INTO PARKING SPACE. GAVE ACCELERATOR A SLIGHT PUSH TO GIVE CHEROKEE ENOUGH GAS TO MOVE INTO UPHILL PARKING STALL. QUICKLY MOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN CAR MOTOR REVVED, SPEED INCREASED AND FRONT END OF CAR HIT CONCRETE RETAINING WALL. BRAKING UNABLE TO STOP OR SLOW THE CAR BEFORE IMPACT. SECOND INCIDENT ON 11/12/2011 WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES DRIVEN WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED THROUGH PARKING LOT, TURNING RIGHT TO DRIVE DOWN PARKING LANE, PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW EVEN MORE TO MOVE FURTHER TO RIGHT SIDE OF LANE TO AVOID ONCOMING CAR. WITH SIDE OF FOOT, FELT ACCELERATOR PEDAL DROP AWAY CAUSING MOTOR TO REV, SPEED TO INCREASE. LEFT FRONT BUMPER HIT LEFT FENDER OF ONCOMING CAR AND RIGHT FRONT FENDER HIT BACK BUMPER OF PARKED TRUCK. DESPITE PRESSING ON BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, CAR FAILED TO SLOW AND STOPPED ONLY ON IMPACT WITH TRUCK. ALMOST AS IF BRAKE WAS OVERRIDDEN BY ACCELERATION. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES: COLD PRECIPITATING WEATHER; CAR HEATER ON; DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT; PAVEMENT WET; MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN; WITH BRAKING, CAR BEGINS ACCELERATING UNEXPECTEDLY; ACCELERATION OVERRIDES BRAKE; BRAKE FAILS TO SLOW OR STOP CAR; CAR STOPS ONLY ON IMPACT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 4, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM 20-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES UP AND DOWN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE TREADS WERE THINNING. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2007
PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS KEEP ON WARPING, WE HAVE BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM, THEY WORK FOR A WHILE AND THEN WARP. WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS BRAKING FEELS LIKE THEY SKIPPING, SOMETIMES SHAKING THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER STILL HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *JB
Service brakes, Air, Jul 24, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RIDES ROUGHLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A SNAPPING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES PULSATE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE BRAKES, FRONT ROTORS, AND PADS WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,470.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 20, 2007
BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 8, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON APRIL 3, 2006 AT 21,294 MILES. THE CONTACT EMPHASIZED THAT NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE FACTORS IN THE BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR WORK PERFORMED THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. UPDATED 1/29/2007 - ALL FOUR ROTORS HAD WARPED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 8, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ONLY HAS 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE CHEROKEE MODEL VEHICLES HAD FAILURES DUE TO DEFECTIVE FRONT BRAKES, AND THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLETO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT CHECKED. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/11/06, AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WHICH CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE OUT OF GROUND AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Oct 30, 2006
2003 GRAND CHEROKEE ENGINE OVER HEATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *TS THE COOLING FAN RELAY AND COOLING FAN MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE HOOD WOULD NOT STAY OPEN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOOD PROPS. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE PEDAL AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN TO BE FILED DOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 29, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THERE WAS A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 27, 2006
I OWN A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED WITH 16,168 MILES. MY DRIVING PATTERN FOR THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN WITHIN DOWNTOWN CITY LIMITS AND CONNECTING FREEWAYS WHERE SPEEDS OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR ARE RARE DUE TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION. ON A RECENT INTERSTATE TRIP WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH THEY PULSATED AND THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A JEEP DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE CAR HAD WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH THE REPAIR I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AT THEIR COST AS THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT AFFECTING 1999 THROUGH 2004 GRAND CHEROKEES. AFTER OVER AN HOUR ON THE, PHONE THEY AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT ROTORS AS A GOODWILL REPAIR ALBEIT WITH THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE ROTOR DESIGN. I LEARNED FROM THE DEALER SERVICE REP THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS IN ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND 1999 -2004 MODEL GRAND CHEROKEES. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A 100% FAILURE RATE. ANY ABNORMAL BRAKE OPERATION IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. STOPPING DISTANCE WILL BE INCREASED BY COMPROMISED INEFFICIENCY OF THE WARPED ROTOR AGAINST THE DISC. FROM A HUMAN FACTOR STANDPOINT THE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED AT A CRITICAL POINT IN BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. INSTINCT MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO EASE OFF THE BRAKES TO REDUCE THE VIBRATION THEREBY RISKING A COLLISION OR LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEER INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER THERE IS AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THE FACTORY ROTORS. DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD ON THEIR OWN PROVIDED AN ENGINEERING CHANGE TO EXISTING REPLACEMENT ROTORS TO CORRECT THE HEAT PROBLEM AND IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. HAS THE MANUFACTURER FILED AN EARLY WARNING REPORT ON THE BRAKE PULSATION PROBLEM? *JB *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 2, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL ROADS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BRAKES AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2006
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. TURNED OUT THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE HAD FALLEN OFF ITS CONNECTION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 7, 2006
ON 03-19-04 I TOOK MY JEEP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING. ON 07-12-04 I MADE A RETURN VISIT BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING AGAIN. ON 04-13-05 I RETURN BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING AGAIN. THE THIRD TRIP TO SALERNO DUANE CAME NINE MONTHS LATER, ON APRIL 13, 2005 AT 22,731 MILES. AGAIN, SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE ROUGH AND WERE RESURFACED. WHEN ASKED IF THIS WORK WOULD BE COVERED BY A WARRANTY AS WELL, WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY NECESSARY DUE TO PAST EXPERIENCE, MANAGER SAID SHE BELIEVED IT WOULD BE. WHEN I REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION AS PROOF TO THAT STATEMENT, SHE REFUSED. I THEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, A MR. G WHO WAS, LESS THAN PROFESSIONAL IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT, JUST PLAIN RUDE IS MORE ACCURATE. HE REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE ON MY VEHICLE STATING THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SALERNO DUANE, BUT POSSIBLY A CHRYSLER DEFECT. AS OF APRIL 2006 I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF MY BRAKES PULSATING. I PHONED SALERNO DUANE ON APRIL 5, 2006 AND SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER AND SHE INFORMED ME THE WORK WILL NOT BE WARRANTED AND I WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. BEING THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM I FEEL THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE THE CAR DEALER RESPONSIBILITY. I AM AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR I FEEL IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND FOR OTHER MOTORIST AND PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS ONGOING AND UNSAFE PROBLEM. I HAVE RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATIONS FOR ALL THESE INCIDENTS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 9, 2006
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BECAME WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 23000 MILES. THE ROTORS WARPED BECAUSE OF HEAT BUILD UP DURING BRAKING,AND THE DEALER REPLACED THEM WITH VENTED ROTORS TO AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE. PADS AND ALL OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE FINE. I HAVE LEARNED OF SEVERAL OTHER JEEP GR CHER OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND I BELIEVE THAT A CAR OF THIS SIZE SHOULD HAVE HAD VENTED ROTORS INSTALLED AT THE TIME IT WAS ASSEMBLED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 11, 2005
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. AT LOW SPEEDS USING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD PULSATE SLOWLY FORWARD WHILE REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONDITIONS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE ESPECIALLY THE VIBRATIONS AND SHAKING AT HIGH SPEED BRAKING. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 19,000 (ROUGHLY) WHERE THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE SEVERELY WARPED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PADS. I ASKED WHY THEY ARE WARPED BEYOND SERVICEABILITY AND THEY STATED THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM. I WROTE TO DIAMLERCHRYSLER AS WELL TRYING TO GET SOME TYPE OF REFUND BACK AFTER SPENDING $550 ON THE PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING THAT I FEEL WAS A QUALITY ISSUE TO BEGIN WITH. THEY STATED ROTORS WARP DUE TO VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. I DISAGREE, IT IS POOR QUALITY MATERIALS BEING USED. THEY WILL LOSE MY BUSINESS OVER THIS. THE REASON I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE WAS TO AVOID COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A FEW YEARS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 3, 2005
TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSES SHAKING AND SHUDDERING OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING. BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 7500 MILES AND NOW NEED REPLACING AGAIN AT 30000. THE DEALER SAYS THAT ALL 2003 JEEPS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT THE PROBLEM IS POOR DESIGN OF THE FACTORY ROTORS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT EMERGENCY STOPPING AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FUNCTION IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS. JEEP SAYS THAT THIS IS JUST A NUISANCE. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE?*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 29, 2005
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ROTORS HAD WARPED UNEVENLY AND EXCESSIVELY. THE ROTORS REPLACED ON 4/21/05. *JB *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2005
DT: CONSUMER OWNED A 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE,, IT HAD 50,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH THREE SETS OF ROTORS. WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE SHOOK;. ROTORS WERE FIRST REPLACED AT 18,000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME THEY WERE REPLACED 35,000 MILES, AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS WERE CHROME, AND THE FRONT WERE BLACK LIKE CARBON HAS GOT ON THEM. THE REAR WHEELS WERE STILL SHINY. THREE SETS ON THE FRONT AND ONE SET ON THE REAR WERE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE EFFECTIVE, BUT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER. *AK