Chrysler letter

June 5, 2003

DaimlerChrysler

Customer Assistance

P.O. Box 21-8004

Auburn Hills, Mi 48321-8004

Dear Madam/Sir:

I have a vehicle problem I want to bring to your attention. It is:

1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

VIN 1JXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Purchased: 20 Sept 1999

This vehicle was purchased new, is 2 wheel drive, not equipped with a trailer hitch, and driven only 29,513 since new. Vehicle purchase price was in the $ 26,000 range. Since owning this vehicle I have had it in for the following warranty repairs:

Broken window lift motor

Leaking rear shock absorbers (I ended up purchasing a GOOD set of Monroe shocks from aftermarket)

Rear passenger window air leak (wind whistling behind driver head) (“if it gets any worse bring it back”)

PCM recall, reprogram computer

Seat belt mounting bolts

Fire hazard on manifold, debris shield

I had the brake pedal pulsating wildly, and had the front rotors turned at my own expense (while under warranty, tired of “bringing it back”). Also recently had the passenger window stuck shut and had to remove the motor and regulator to get the window to work. Went to fold the outside mirror in and it broke off. Replacement mirror head $160.00, which I declined to pay, I repaired it myself. And the latest is the transmission “slamming into reverse”; guess I will need a transmission overhaul next.

The past 1,000 miles or so, I have noticed a buzz from the rear that has progressed to a howl or whine. Did some research on the Internet and found a probable cause, along with horror stories from owners with the same problem. I am enclosing a work order from servicing dealer that I asked for an assessment of the problem and cost for repairs.

$1245.00 for a complete overhaul of the rear axle.

My question is, why does a vehicle with only 29,000 miles have to have a complete overhaul of the rear axle? In researching this problem I spoke to the Service Director at Greenbrier Jeep, in Chesapeake Va. asking for any recalls or whatever about axles in Jeeps. I told him the symptoms of my vehicle and he implored me to leave the vehicle for repairs because driving it further would be DANGEROUS, possibly locking up the rear axle, losing control plus doing further damage. The vehicle is not being driven.

My research has led me to various web sites with similar problems: window motors, mirrors falling off, transmission rebuild (overhaul), axles etc:

www.reviewcentre .com/reviews82.html

www.complaints.com/april2002/complaintoftheday.april20.7.htm

www.carlounge.com/frameset.htm (bulletin boardcar loungesearch. type: grand cherokeesearchall datessearch)

www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kreitz/Jeep/vmag-summary.html

www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/comlain/results.cfm www.cs.cornell.edu/Info/People/kreitz/Jeep/main.html

Other items I have run across are the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB). www.alldata.com who deals in this subject, their definition of: “Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are issued by vehicle manufacturers to help automotive technicians diagnose and repair problems reported by consumers and repair shops.” This tells me they are DEFECTS that have been found after the vehicle is built.

1998 Grand Cherokee 51 bulletins

1999 Cherokee 49 bulletins

1999 Grand Cherokee 99 bulletins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2000 Cherokee 32 bulletins

2000 Grand Cherokee 52 bulletins

2001Cherokee 20 bulletins

2001 Grand Cherokee 33 bulletins

The vehicles I researched above with the bulletins are similar, 6 cylinder engines and 2 Wheel drive etc. Most of my problems listed on the first page, are listed under TSBs for Jeep.

I have read the reactions of Chrysler management and District Managers etc, and am not going to waste my time and their time. They know there is a problem; they just refuse to address it. Jeep sold over 340,000 Grand Cherokees in 1999. In my quest for satisfaction of all Jeep owners and myself who have been sold a less than lasting product, you will notice at the end of this letter that I am forwarding a copy of this letter, and work order from servicing dealership to the Attorneys General of ALL 50 states, and NHTSA. I want everyone that I can possibly tell to know of this problem.

Sincerely,

Walter D. Wheeler

address deleted

E-mail: wheelerlgn@aol.com

cc: Attorneys General of all 50 states

Hall Auto Mall

NHTSA

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