Problems with 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The front brake rotors have severly prematurely warped twice on this vehicle causing the severe handling problems while trying to come to a stop. i was out of town at the time of the first incident and put the vehicle in the shop myself. the front rotors were resurfaced to aleviate the problem. ten thousand miles later the same thing occurs again causing severe handling problems when braking. this time the vehicle was carried to the dealer for repairs. the dealer resurfaced the rotors again which seemed to have solved the problem for the time being. this seems to be a recurring and dangerous problem for this vehicle. the dealer will not replace the rotors, only resurface them. it appears that the dealer should replace the rotors, at his expense, with high quality rotors to aleviate the problem entirely. brake rotors can only be resurfaced a number of times to solve this problem. i have reviewed the information on your web site and you seem to have quite a few complaints about this same problem with other jeep owners. obviously, this is a defect of the manufacturer and should be a recall situation. thanks for your help with this matter and i will be looking forward to hearing from you. *ak

With only 35000 miles on vehicle, consumer has had it serviced four times for brakes and is needing to have it serviced again, consumer was informed that the brake pads seemed to have been designed or assembled with too tight clearance, causing rotors to warp from the heat generated during braking. *slc

The front rotors were replaced and resurfaced twice. *ak *jb

Vehicle exhibits a dangerous level of side to side shudder as well as a non-linear deceleration which may result in whiplash when evenly applying brake pressure. the description of the problem in jeep tsb 05-03-98, "minor brake pulsation" is a gross understatement. the level of shudder may result in loss of vehicle control, especially when decelerating from highway speeds. *ak

When the brakes were applied at highway speed the vehicle shimmied. every 6 to 10 thousand miles the rotors were replaced. *mr the warped rotors caused the front end to shimmy when braking at higher speeds. chrysler was not willing to remedy the problem. *sc *jb

Vehicle had brakes repaired 10 times since purchase. dealer replaced rotors/ turned rotors,/replaced pads and calipers on every visit. after 4000-5000 miles, vehicle vibrated again when applying brakes, also extended braking distance. dealer could not remedy problem. *ak

Front discs consistently warped at 8, 12, & 16 thousand miles and dealer says manufacturer's defect.*ak

The day i took delivery of vehicle i told lithia jeep the brakes were squeeling & felt as if they were dragging at slow speeds. they said this was normal during the break-in period. these problems did not get any better so at each service (3,000 miles) i asked the service dept to check the brakes for problems & each time they said the brakes were within specs so they made no repairs. now several times a week the abs & brake lights come on. i have taken vehicle in several times for this problem but the service dept can't find what the problem is so this brake problem remains uncorrected as of today. i am very uneasy because i do not know if there is a brake problem or not so i do not drive the vehicle any more than is absolutely necessary, and when i do i drive with one hand on the emergency brake lever at all times.

In shop 5 times since purchase and problems still not fixed

Rotors have warped after about 7000 to 8000 miles resulting in lurching when trying to stop vehicle. front rotors have been replaced twice and all rotors resurfaced 4 times by dealer, 3 times under warranty and 3 times at my expense. as rotors get bad, stopping distances increase and vehicle is difficult to control when stopping from highway speeds. vehicle has only been driven in florida, and has not been driven in salt water or off-road. first problem reported to dealer when vehicle was 8 months old and had 9294 miles on odometer. the problem recurred again, each time, approximately 7000 to 9000 miles following the last brake service.*ak

When braking there is some pulsating and shaking of steering wheel. took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced both front brake rotors. at 37,200 rotors, calipers/ and pads need replacing. *ak *yh

Front brake rotors replaced 4 times and turned 1 time in less than 1 year, manufcturer issued a tsb on this problem, yet says that consumers warping is due to "excessive wear". *et

I have experienced chronic problems with the front rotors on my car. i have felt pulsation while breaking at regular 6 month intervals and have had to repeatedly bring the car in for service to remedy this problem. specifically, the rotors have been resurfaced every 6000 miles and replaced every 12000 miles. this happened at 12,000, 18,000, 24,000, 30,000 and now at 36,000 when the dealer suggests that i replace the front and rear brakes and rotors. initially i recieved some assistance from the dealer with the rotors resurfaced twice and replaced once at their expense, but now they are claiming no further responsibility and have even suggested that this may be my driving that is causing the problem. seeing how many similar complaints there are on the internet, i highly doubt this possibility. additionally my conversation with two technicians at the boardwalk auto center in redwood city, california and technicians at connell in oakland, california, i am led to believe that this is a known problem with some of the 1999-2000+ grand cherokees. i must say that i am very disappointed that a new car of this caliber should have any such problems. also, i am increasingly concerned about safety as i know how crucial brakes are for safe driving. i fear that i will continue to experience this problem, on average, every 6,000 miles; i find that to be an unacceptable situation. is there anything you can do to advocate for me and the hundreds of others in a similar situation? thank you.*ak

I have had at least 6 full sets of rotors and pads. if i remember correctly, 2 sets have been turned and rotors replaced. on time jeep actually told me my dealer didn't have the right tool so they had me bring it to another dealer!! i have complained and they deny any responsibility. they paid for most of the jobs up to 70k but i have paid for the last several. i moved and can't find my records, and jeep won't release my repair history to me, they say it is proprietary. i maintain that since they never engineered and manufactured the parts correctly, they are still responsible. they are incredible about this considering that 2 different jeep dealer service managers told me they have many, many owners w/same problems. i can't believe this hasn't been covered by recall, considering jep has issued 4 tsb's pertaining to the brakes. my old dealer in ny told me they would send me my service history, i am waiting for that. please help!!! there are 1000's of us check the nhtsa web site......

Repeated problems with ac/heat being erratic, will take vehicle in for 4th time. vehicle shuddered, fixed by changing fluid. weather seal fell off. brake shudder fixed by replacement of rotors, etc. engine stalled fixed, but the rev up and lurch at stop is not yet. setting another appointment with service. *ak

While traveling at higway speed of 50 mph consumer started to brake and noticed steering wheel shaking, and vehicle started to vibrate. no accident or injuries have occurred. vehicle has experienced pulling to one side while braking. consumer stated that about every 7ooo miles rotors needed to be replaced. *ak

Dealer turned rotors at 13,000 and again at 27,000. on the rotors it states the minimum to be turned is 24.5 mine have been turned to 24.27 and 24.31. my understanding this does not allow the heat to disipate and they could crack.*ak

We have experienced a recurrent problem of a hard shimy/ shaking when applying the brakes suddently at speeds of 50mph and above. the dealer has repaired the problem 4 times since we purchased the jeep in december 1998. we are currently in the process of trying to get the dealer to repair the problem for the 5th time. we are concerned about the safety of our jeep, as well as all those other jeeps with the same brake problems, being on our nations highways. jeep is not responsive to our concerns.*ak

Brake assembly overheats causing warpage of rotors and subsequent steering shudder . rotors are warping every 10,000 miles. dealer has tried to correct problem with one replacement and three machining applications, two concurrent. dealer has admitted this has been a constant problem in grand cherokees and has refunded money for last two brake refacings, but cannot guarantee the problem will not persist. chrysler has not been helpful or sent technical representative to investigate. i believe this is beyond the ability of the service department to solve. i feel this is a safety issue because the shudder becomes violent at highway speeds when braking and vehicle could loose directional stability . this is only one of many faults with this vehicle (others the dealer has corrected, to their credit).

Brake roters resurfaced twice, roters replaced once, now rotors to be replaced with part from another car/truck-"heavy duty type"

Brake pulsation & noise. also braking over bumps causes pedal drop to floor, loss of braking.

Brake pulsation/noise. over bumps pedal drops to floor, braking reduced. accident almost occured.

I have ongoing problems with the front brake rotors warping. when applying the brakes, the front end begins to shake/shimmy as does the steering wheel.the first time i took my vehicle in for this was on 7/14/99 with 6,492 miles. the dealer was familiar with the problem because other vehicles were serviced for the same thing. the fix was to turn the rotors to bring them back to spec. the problem occured again and on 2/24/00 with 12,325 miles i returned to the dealer. they again turned the rotors. the third time was on 12/6/00 with 20,848 miles. since the rotors were turned the two previous times, the rotors had to be replaced. after the rotors were replaced with only 2,847 miles on the "new" rotors, (vehicle miles was 23,695) the problem was back. this time, i took the vehicle to a different dealer on 3/22/01,(lamarque dodge, 4848 veterans blvd., metairie, la 70006, 504/779-4200. i gave them the history on the brake rotor problem. there fix was also to turn the rotors and replace the brake pads per tsb 05-01-00. the fifth time the problem occured was on 1/10/02 with 34,419 miles. i took the vehicle back to lamarque dodge and they again turned the rotors. it is now the sixth time the problem is occuring. as of this date (5/31/02) the vehicle has 37,489 miles. this is only 3,070 miles since the rotors were turned. i am sure this time, once again, the rotors will need to be replaced. the nhtsa website has numerous complaints on this problem, as do other websites. i do not know what it takes for a recall, but i think it is time that something is done. daimlerchrylser has a serious safety issue here. i hope some action is taken soon.*ak

Excessive wear of brake rotors;. at 1,349 miles of wear both front rotors were replaced. 13,949 miles, both front and rear rotors needed to be replaced. dealer notified, but would not replace the rotors because the warranty was up. consumer traded this vehicle in for another. *ak *ml

Brakes pulsate when applied at high speed, steering wheel shakes when brakes applied. repeated calls to jeep consumer relations results in their denial of a problem, other than wear and tear, and that the warrenty will expire and coverage of the brake components ending.

The brakes and rotors were serviced on 5 different occasions. *ts. the weather strip was loose on the right rear door, also the vehicle pulled to the right. *jb

Severe and dangerous brake rotor pulsation has occurred twice in less than 35ooo miles, requiring replacement rotors (dealer did not cover).*ak

Front brakes shutter, causing steering to wobble, almost uncontrollably. garage machined rotors but problem came back within 1500 miles. rotors are warping under mostly highway usage with very little traffic/city usage. makes stopping or slowing very difficult on highway or ramp.*ak

Repeated vibration and smoking of brakes ove 22 months; no identification of source of problem by maufacturer. authorized dealer service; no assistance from manufacturer; lemon law complaint initiated 4/01. *ak

Am on my fourth set of front rotors. they start vibrating at about 4,000m and just get worse. dealer helpful but chrysler needs to supply rotors that can do the job, not pizzas. *ak

I had a severe vibration if braking over 50mph. the dealer resurfaced but not replaced the front rotors. the problem improved but is not 100% resolved. i feel unsafe driving with resurfaced warped rotors that the dealer refused to replace because crysler will not authorize it. *ak

Front rotors continually warp and transmission shifting defective. *ak

Rotors have been resurfaced twice, replaced twice and the problem is now back again. dealer stated problem was due to "mexican steel" and driver error in that i drove with the default overdrive on. he stated i should drive with overdrive off at speeds below 45 mph. please note the large number of complaints and technical bulletins in your database regarding this equipment failure. why has there not been a recall. this is an unsafe condition that is inherent in the vehicles parts. now chrysler wants me to pay for another set of rotors. i would like to hear from you. thanks.

Rotors warped initially at 3000 miles. turned twice before replacement at 9000 miles. then turned twice and replaced at 18,000 miles. warped again and turned again. *ak

This vehicle has had four repeated instances of "warped front brake rotors" within only 24,000 miles, a condition which may pose a safety risk. in doing some research, i have learned that this problem apparently exists on many jeep grand cherokees, including model years prior to, and after 1999. i have been informed that in an attempt to alleviate this problem on future model years, the 2003 grand cherokees will be introduced with an entirely new braking system. when the rotors begin to warp, the first noticeable sign is a slight pulsing while the brakes are applied at highway speeds. over time, the rotors become more seriously warped and the problem then is even more obvious. what was pulsing becomes more of a complete vehicle shaking that eminates from the steering column. with further deterioration of the rotors, the vehicle actually shakes significantly while the brakes are applied at highway speeds.*ak

Rotors replaced under warranty three times in june 1999, august 1999, and october 2000. consumer had to pay half on rotor replacement. vehicle has same problem again. *ak

When brakes are applied forcefully, roters are warped. the rotors have been replaced three times and turned twice. the failure occurs about every 6000 miles. all repairs have been made under warrenty, but problem is still present.*ak

Strong vibration in steering wheel column when brake is applied firmly at high speed. driver side windows fails to operate. defective wiring harness in rear door causes warning chimes when going over bumps or making sharp turns. *ak

There was vibration in steering column during brake application, more severe under hard braking. dealership has examined vehicle at 6,000 /15,000 /24,000/ 30,000 and 40,000 miles, and failed to remedy problem , only turning and replacing brake rotors. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak

Rotors warped at 8000 & 14000 miles .this is the first vehicle ive owned that the rotors warped this soon.ive done some research on the internet i am not the only grand cherokee owner i personaly found 100's of complants of wraped roters all the way back to the early 90's.the dealer stated this is normal!!!!! please check into this problem jeep does not seem to care or it would cost them more money than care to lose.*ak

Front brake rotors warped twice they are junk. *ak

Every six months consumer has to take vehicle in for brake problems, such as squealing and vibration. these problems occur at any speed. dealership informed consumer that rotors were not heavy duty enough to handle vehicle. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak

Ongoing front brake rotor replacements do not correct problem. mine have been replaced five times and still the problem reoccured. it is very easy to lose control of vehicle at speeds in excess of 35 mph front end shimmey so severe very difficult to keep on the road. jeep is keeping this a secret. ask any jeep owner starting with 1999 and forward, i will be willing to bet that they have replaced front brakes early and often. jeep of dupage has been wonderful, but i would ask their service manager about this. he warranteed my vehicle twice after the warranty had expired.*ak

Consumer has had to replace rotors every 7,000 miles due to the warping. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak

Warped rotors have been resurfaced,replaced,resurfaced and refused additional repairs under warranty, stating problem was "driving habits". *ak

Brake rotors warped 3 times, and had to be replaced 3 times. this caused extended stopping distance and may have resulted in a crash. common problem. please provide further information. *ak

The brake rotors warped every 10,000 miles on my way to 50,000 miles. the dealer told me it was either a problem with the brakes or a problem with the driver. the dealer further said that they knew there was no problem with the brakes. *jb

Front rotors warp causing steering wheel shimmy. resurfaced 4 times, but problem persists. jeep will not do any more than resurface rotors. *ak

Steering wheel shakes when brakes applied, checked at 6920 miles service center stated it was abs. steering wheel violantly shakes, and at 18000 miles rotors turned, again three months later and again at 41000. the symptons are being corrected but the problem is not being fixed. until the problem is fixed we will continue to have trouble and have to pay because the customer service hide behind thier warranty...and won't help us.*ak

We feel unsafe in this jeep.and were told there was no more that could be done for our jeep repair wise the dealer nor chrysler will accept that this is alemon and i feel steps should be taken to protect not just my family but other familys as well. no safety defect listed within summary. *ak