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Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
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JGC + water = lemonaid
I own a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, two wheel drive. I like its looks, handles reasonably well, good 6-cylinder motor and its not front wheel drive. It's also a bit pricey, but I thought with the Jeep logo I would have a vehicle that would last for years. After I bought it I found out a few other things. They don't have good resale value, and there are many mechanical problems, that if compared to any other car or SUV should not be happening. My rear axle started howling/whining noises and I did research on the Internet and found other people had similar problems. If you read my letter I sent to Chrysler you will see all the other problems I had, brakes, window motors etc.
June 2, 2003 I took my Jeep to a local dealership, that charged me $45.99 to estimate what it will cost to repair,$1245.00 ! Now I only have 29,500 miles on the car and it should not need a complete axle overhaul. An axle should last the life of the vehicle.
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What I did
There were over 343,000 Grand Cherokee sold in 1999,and I am sure there are many owners looking for some help. The only thing I could think of doing, was writing my state Attorney General (AG). They have a Consumer Affairs office that takes care of deceptive trade practice, fraud etc. I also thought why just write my own AG, lets share the knowledge with everyone. I wrote a letter to all the AG's (click here to read that letter) of all 50 states. I also included a copy of the letter that I wrote to Chrysler listing all the problems I have.(click here to read Chrysler letter) I did a search for each states homepage, found the AG's webpage and got his address and name for the sitting AG.(click here for AG addresses) I found most of my letters ended up in the Consumer Affair office as that is who answered most of my letters.
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The Reaction to my Action
June 30 2003 received a call from Chrysler inquiring if I had fixed the axle yet. Well I got my JGC out of the shop the same day they called. She said she could not reinburse for the axle because I did not use a Jeep dealership. In my letter to Chrysler I mentioned the transmission slams in reverse
and the Chrysler lady said to bring it in and they will help me.
Whether you have 30, 50, or 70,000 miles, transmissions and axles should not be needing overhaul. They should last the life of the vehicle.
I definitely got someones attention and I firmly believe it is by intervention of a few of the AG's I contacted.
WRITE ALL 50 ATTORNEYS GENERAL!
And don't forget to write the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, they keep track of "defects". (click here to read my letter to the NHTSA)
Make sure to contact Mike Cox, Attorney General of Michigan and
Ms. A. M. Palmer, Department of Agriculture and Trade Consumer Protection, State of Wisconsin (address on AG address page)
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July 10, 2003 Called last week for an appointment for dealership to look at transmission. Called the lady at Chrysler to let her know. Had to leave a message, and ended up leaving five or six messages. Never got hold of her, but did speak to someone finally, looked at my file and said now they can't do anything because my letter was turned over to their Legal department. Now after the Jeep has been sitting in their service department for 2 days they tell me Sorry. Well there goes another $45.99 for a service charge.
July 17 Got a letter from a lawyer telling me the Jeep is out of warranty. I know it is out of warranty. If it was in warranty there would not be a need for this webpage and all the letter writing I did. Last letter I got from their Senior Legal person said sorry I feel this way about the Jeep. I had given them the address to this web page.
August 16 Received another letter from their legal department, saying to bring in the Jeep to the service department, and he will "consider paying for repairs". I wrote back asking what level of help are they willing to give, 100% cost of repair, refund my money, what?
August 27 Received an answer saying to bring it back to dealership and after the Service Manager looks at the problems he will then consider paying for repairs on a customer satisfaction basis.
In the time that all this is going on, the door check strap of the drivers door has broken and everytime I open or close the door I get loud popping noises.
August 30 I just turned 31,000 miles on this vehicle. And I got to take it back to Ben Sorey repair shop again because of gear whine.
September 02 I have been noticing a wobble? from the front wheels and steering wheel lately. The shimmy gets so violent that I have to slow down to 30 MPH and creep home. The right front hub area is so hot you can't lay your hand on it. It is either a wheel hub or brake caliper seizing. It only happens on a hot day, over 90 degrees and I drive 25 or so miles. It is falling apart faster than I can get it repaired.
Sept 3 took Jeep back to Ben Sorey repair shop
Sept 9 Picked up from repair shop. Talked with repair shop, and after being worked on again to try and eliminate gear whine, it has been decided to replace the ring and pinion. The shop said they will do the gear change at cost of parts.
Sept 9 Took Jeep (same day as above) in to Chrysler dealership to be repaired: door check strap, TSB for transmission, the wheel hub or caliper that is trying to seize and ring and pinion. Ring and pinion should be easy for Chrysler, the bearings have already been replaced. Drove on the interstate over 50 miles to try and heat up the hub/wheel, but it was cool today (75 degrees). Never did heat up.
Sept 12, 2003 I was notified by the service writer that Chrysler will pay for ALL repairs on a customer satisfaction basis.
Sept 27 Picked up Jeep from dealer. New ring and pinion, new rotors, brake calipers, trans shifts OK into reverse, (still seems a little harsh) & new door check strap. 0 cost to me.
I am still out $625.00 plus $45.99 twice, not counting numerous hours driving back and forth, taking off from work etc.
November 13, 2003 Rear end is starting to whine again. Can't really hear it with the radio on, or over 45 MPH. It only has about 1800 miles since Chrysler fixed it!
December 10, 2003 What is it boat owners say, "the best days are when they buy their boat, and when they sell it!" With only 33,500 miles I traded in the Jeep GC for an '04 Ford Explorer, two wheel drive, four door and what a difference, smoother ride, more room etc. I only got $9900, lost $ on the trade but Good Riddance!
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Click on web sites below to find others with similar problems:You may have to input Jeep Grand Cherokee in the WEB SITE search to see information available.
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