Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
210150509/01/20051001700045rfe/545rfe trans - delayed engagement due to cooler return filter replacement. *sc10/20/2005
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
080300608/25/20060803006A10021239Powertrain control module initialization. *kb03/23/2007
210090310/02/2005210180510003524Automatic transmission diagnostic teardown procedure. various models including the 2004 ram truck, durango, sebring convertible, cherokee, vision, neon, and voyager. *tt *sc10/22/2003
0702/01/200310001102Recommended steps to confirm the safe and proper engagement of the park position on the vehicle's automatic transmission. *tt04/14/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
080150503/02/200510013731Powertrain control module initialization. *sc04/26/2005
080160503/03/200510013672Tcm (transmission control module) internal fault may cause a low line pressure or gear ratio error dtc (diagnostic trouble code). 2004-2005 jeep cherokee (international market) *sc04/25/2005
1404/01/200410006891The powertrain control module (pcm) may have been programmed with software that can cause the on-board diagnostic system to malfunction. emission recall no. d14. *tt05/18/2004
180140405/25/200418014041000657442rle slow or harsh gear engagement after initial cold start. *tt *mj05/06/2004
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
180280406/30/200410008381Flash: 4.0l torque converter lock-up feature. *mj07/29/2004
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
030020308/29/200310003531Fluid weepage past rear axle vent line jiggle cap. *tt10/22/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
01/18/2013755001
 As i was trying to pull out into traffic the jeep would not move it was like it was in neutral. i noticed that the pnrd were all lit up. i had to stop and put car in park then try again and it worked however when i got on the highway it did the same thing. when i got home i called my mechanic because the check engine light was on and the code was p0700. i have done some research online and found that alot of other jeep owners have had the same problem but there are no recalls on it. *tr
01/18/201375500
 As i was trying to pull out into traffic the jeep would not move it was like it was in neutral. i noticed that the pnrd were all lit up. i had to stop and put car in park then try again and it worked however when i got on the highway it did the same thing. when i got home i called my mechanic because the check engine light was on and the code was p0700. i have done some research online and found that alot of other jeep owners have had the same problem but there are no recalls on it.
07/14/2011105743
 Jeep grand cherokee sudden and uncontrolled acceleration: approaching an intersection to stop, i had taken my foot completely off the accelerator and had the brake covered. as the vehicle came to a stop, the engine suddenly surged (5000rpm +) and lurched forward uncontrollably into the intersection. the brakes did not stop it or restrain it. i immediately hit the shift handle into neutral and turned the ignition off in order to regain control. when i put the car in park and restarted the vehicle. it revved, then idled, albeit roughly (idle ranging from 900rmp to 1400rpm). there were no injuries and fortunately there were no other cars in the immediate area... but it did shake me up. if it had happened to a less experienced driver someone may have been badly hurt or killed.
08/01/201077000
 Tl - the contact owns 2004 jeep grand cherokee. the contact stated that the engine surges and it will increase 500 rpm and falls off. the vehicle was taken into the dealership and they couldnt duplicate the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure 77,000 and the current mileage is 88000. pm
08/04/2009595001
 I was pulling up to the curb at a shopping center and my 2004 jeep grand cherokee overland suddenly jumped the curb, knocked down a large concrete planter and took out a light pole. the brake would not override the sudden acceleration. luckily, no one was on the sidewalk. this information was reported to the local jeep dealer and to chrysler corporation but they are not admitting their is a problem. the damage to my jeep has been fixed but now i am afraid to drive it. *tr
08/15/2009530221
 Power loss & surging at speed and when accelerating. automatic transmission-first occurrence was at 53,022 miles, and repaired after multiple trips to dealers. dealer service tech's. determined that transmission governor pressure and transducer readings were erratic--trans. gov. pressure and transducer were replaced under warranty. prior to this, non-dealer shop replaced fuel filter and pump, due to readings. car has run fine since, but problem has re-appeared. due to dealer closures, we had to go to a new dealer svc. dept., which was not able to reproduce the problem. current mileage is 71,323 miles. *tr
03/18/2009570001
 My jeep grand cherokee 2004 accelerated when i braked in the parking lot. the jeep accelerated and lurched into a fence and into the yard on the other side, when my foot was on the brake. the car was out of control and stopped when it hit a stump in the yard. *tr
12/30/2005801/05/2005
 2004 jeep grand cherokee with heated seat issue. consumer states that the vehicle has been taken to the dealer several times for the heated seat problem. she also states that there is a wire or rod poking through the driver seat. *kb the consumer also stated the transmission failed, there was a problem with the power steering, the blend doors in the heating system, the passenger side window fell down in to the door panel, and the hood struts failed. the consumer stated the heated seat issue had been recalled. the engine light illuminated and it was determined that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. *jb
04/15/2006104/15/2006
 Vibration in front end. *nm
04/01/2006104/04/2003
 I have a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. i bought the one on the show room floor with 46 miles on it. in all of the vehicles i have purchased over the years i have never had so many problems. i just took it in for the 3rd time for brakes. i was told the rotors were bad again! of course the rotors will be warranty. however i was charged $90.00 labor for warranty work, again. i told the dealer to go past the rotors this time and check the pads. they said they were worn 20-30%, but i brought the parts home and my husband said they were gone! the service manager said jeep knows they have a problem with their brakes and will not do anything about it! i was getting 13 mpg after 36,000 miles. i was told if i got a tune up it would be better. well, $300 later it is not better! now i get 12. 4 wd..i had taken it to the dealer for the 4wd locking up. i was told not to use the pt 4wd. my husband was driving in ft 4wd in the winter and went to turn into a parking space. it locked up in the turn and we came inches from hitting a parked car. i called the dealer and was told this is normal. please! normal? so nothing has been done about it. i had metal in the transmission. now please tell me how that can happen? i am a 56 year old woman. what if i drove it the way commercials say you can? i have the extended warranty, but of course when something is done it isn't a covered expense. i really believe that i purchased a jeep with alot of problems and don't know where to go from here. i am going to get my repair invoices together and call our local tv station. toledo ohio has thousands of jeeps in parking lots all over the city and i want the consumers to know what kind of problems they will have if they purchase one. i am looking forward to your response before i pursue further. *nm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10/15/2009450001
 2004 jeep grand cherokee. started engine, with foot on brake, put transmission in drive. the car suddenly accelerated, couldn't stop it and it rear-ended another vehicle. this was in a shopping mall parking lot. *tr
03/17/2009543511
 My husband forgot his keys so i shifted to park and exited the vehicle and left it running because i was only going to be out a few seconds. i exited the vehicle and it shifted to into gear and took off knocking me down and running over me before hitting a truck that stopped it. i was hospitalized for three days with my injuries. *tr
02/02/20091200001
 Torque converter wore out or went out causing transmission damage. noticed vehicle stalled and jerked when trying to accelerate after slowing down and/or stopping. initial thought vehicle needed a tune-up, but problem existed afterwards. torque converter warpage caused transmission fluid to leak which lead to damages to transmission. added transmission fluid at one point , ran well for a while then problem returned. very expensive to repair. *tr
04/22/20081000001
 While on the website of consumer affairs i noticed that there was an issue with automatic acceleration on the 2004 jeep grand cherokee laredo which i own and have experience this happening luckily i have always been in control of the situation, and frequent stalling. either it jumps at a red light or it stalls, stalling is better, not being able to bring it to a shop due to financing, i try to stay on top of it, this already has caused some deaths i see on the site, when are they going to recall this vehicle due to this situation, or are they waiting to get a height body count? this happening once to anyone is too much! what is this country coming to? *tr
12/12/200635000107/10/2004
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 mph, there was a loud clicking sound coming from the transmission. when the contact parked and exited the vehicle, it spontaneously shifted into reverse, and accelerated backwards, striking the side of the residence with the front left door of the vehicle. it was taken to a service dealer, who was unable to determine the problem. the manufacturer was also notified
10/22/200612500101/06/2005
 I was in a car wash. when i was to move to the drying position i could not get the jeep out of park. i turned the engine off and wiggled the shift level. i then started the engine and tried to move out of park, but the engine roared and took off like a rocket. i could not stop the car or turn engine off. i crashed into a block wall of a store. the car was totaled. it was like being on a rocket with no control. according to police report i traveled about 60 yards. have no idea of speed attained. the car was accelerating all the way. i reported the incident to daimler-chrysler on 10/27/06. they said they would inspect jeep, but have not heard back from the yet. *nm
07/28/2006496971203/11/2006
 2004 grand jeep cherokee (trail rated) drove through drive way. put jeep in park got out to close gate behind jeep. the jeep went into reverse by it's self. rolled over a persons feet knocking him to the ground. fighting with my insurance now because they don't want to pay damages or for injuries . the jeep continued to roll until it rolled over small trees and a big tree stopped it. doing about $4,000 damage. *jb
06/01/200612500310/18/2005
 Shifts out park with out motor running; and even without pressing on brake pedal. jeep grand cherokee can be shifted out park by pulling it back to either reverse or neutral or drive; without the emergency brake applied my jeep rolled out of the driveway into the street; did not hit anything; dealership has had vehicle twice in the last year and still has not been able to fix it; this will be the 3rd time it has gone in for the shifter problem. *nm
01/29/20061
 2004 grand cherokee rolled backwards while the shift lever was in park. the consumer think the problem is with the transmission. *ts when the vehicle rolled backwards the driver's door crashed into the middle section of the consumer's garage doors. the driver's door buckled and the window shattered. *nm
01/17/2006207/15/2003
 5/25/05 the jeep was parked in the driveway and running without the emergency brake on, with the boys inside. we were hurrying them to school. the weather was clear and dry. i ran back into the house, which took less than 3 minutes, to get betsy to hurry up. when i was heading back to the car the boys were yelling . the car was rolling backwards and rolled into the brick retaining wall around the driveway. when i got to the car the gear shift was slightly out of park. over $1500 in damage was done to the car. a claim was filed with insurance company. i assumed the fault was mine due to being in a hurry. 1/17/06 i was moving cars around the driveway and had the jeep parked in the driveway. the engine was running, the car was in park with the emergency brake on. the weather was clear and dry. i had the driver's door open, because i was only going into the garage for a second. i happened to turn towards the jeep and noticed that it was rolling backwards. i ran to the jeep, intending to stop it by putting the emergency brake on. when i jumped into the jeep i looked down and noticed that the brake was already on, and that the car appeared to be fully in park. i was able to stop the car by putting my foot on the brake, with no damage to the car this time. i called daimler chrysler that afternoon to tell them of my story. i was told that someone would be contacting me soon to look at the car, and not to have any work done on the vehicle before the person was able to look at the jeep. 1/18/06 mr. w contacted me to meet to look at the car. 1/19/06 met mr. w at berglund jeep at noon; he spent one hour looking the car over. he said that he was not allowed to tell me anything , and that chrysler would be contacting me. he did state to me that i should keep the emergency brake on the car, and to take the key out of the ignition. *jb *ak *nm
08/20/2005140003012/07/2004
 1. exceptionally hard downshift under acceleration. 2. under light or moderate acceleration, would start in 2nd gear. possible to move selector to 1st gear. 3. at full stop would hunt from 1st to 2nd gear. unintended forward movement with foot on brake. in one instance pedestrian walked in front of vehicle when this unintended movement occurred nearly pinning pedestrian between 2 vehicles 4. under acceleration jeep vehicle seemed to go out of gear and into neutral at about 60 to 65 mph. loss of forward momentum and fuel shut off occurred . the transmission resumed acceleration but with very deliberate and extended gear selection. while accelerating to pass a semi on a 2 lane highway with long uphill grade i got alongside the semi and could see the drivers door in my peripheral vision. the jeep vehicle kicked into neutral , the fuel shut off occurred and i lost enough forward momentum to not complete the pass safely. another vehicle appeared over the crest of the hill some distance away and i was able to brake hard enough to get back in line with the semi. a head on collision was averted. while traveling on a federal highway in colorado with a long gradual uphill grade and cruise control set to 65 the jeep vehicle selected neutral causing rapid increase in rpm to fuel shutoff point and loss of forward momentum to about 35 or 40 mph. after transmission returned to a gear i was able to resume travel and click the cruise back on. this type occurrence became frequent. jeep vehicle svc tech drove vehicle over 160 miles and was able to replicate the occurrence. the bands were tightened and various other little fixes. jeep vehicle now selects 1st gear to start. jeep vehicle no longer hunts from 1st to 2nd. jep vehicle has started to kick into neutral again. repairs started at about 5 or 6000 miles and have now totaled 6 attempts to repair this unsafe (in my opinion) variety of complaints all centered on malfunctions in (apparently) the transmission. *jb
01/14/20057075108/08/2004
 I drove into my driveway a short distance and put the jeep into park. i got out of the jeep walked behind it to go get the mail, before i reached the mailbox i noticed that the jeep had started rolling backwards. it rolled across the road, down into a very large ditch and hit a tree. i ran after it to try and stop it but i was unsuccessful. i had just begun to push the brake as the back tire went into the ditch. the force of the jeep going down the ditch knocked me on my back and my foot got caught in the door so i was dragged down the ditch with the jeep. luckily i didn't receive any serious injury just sore and shook up but the jeep has extensive damage to the rear end. *jb
01/08/20055100111/02/2004
 Wife was dropping off son at swim practice. wife noticed son had left a drink in the jeep. wife placed the vehicle in park and was walking up the sidewalk to take my son his drink when she heard a noise (popping) from the direction of the jeep. she turned to see the jeep rolling backwards across the parking lot. my wife attempted to stop the jeep but was knocked to the ground. the jeep continued backward until it hit a fence and a sign pole. damage to the jeep includes the drivers door and hinges, scratches to the paint on the rear door, bumper and most of the drivers side of the vehicle, and a broken tail light cover. i talked with the dealer(pomoco chrysler, jeep in hampton) and they told me that they would not do anything but check out the transmission once the jeep was drivable. the service manager sent a message to the factory service technician who responded the same as the dealer. the dealer indicated that i needed to contact my insurance company to start a claim.*ak
12/16/20044007107/01/2004
 Transmission failed while shifting, a loud grinding noise was coming from the front. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it home. consumer had the vehicle towed the same day. mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. *ak the consumer stated that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. the consumer stated that the vehicle is now having a steering problem. *tc
09/08/200470109/06/2004
 When traveling in cruise control at 55-60 mph and encountering a hill the automatic transmission will rapidly downshift a couple of gears. this results in the engine rpm going from about 1800 to 5000 rpm very suddenly. this is the same result as pushing the gas pedal to the floor. this occurred on a curve and resulted in a momemtary loss of vehicle control. fortunately an accident was avoided this time. the vehicle was taken to two different jeep dealers who said there was nothing they could do because it was a design/ programming problem with the computer that controls transmission shift points. *ak
10/30/200426500510/19/2004
 While in cruise control at 60 mph and traveling uphill the automatic transmission suddenly down shifted from over drive into 2nd gear causing a violent lunge forward (approx 2000 rpm to 5000 rpm). this rpm change was so violent that lost of vehicle control happened momentarily. *jb
07/23/2004130001202/07/2004
 While driving vehicle stalled. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak this car stalled no less than 12 times. afraid to pull into traffic with this car. power steering leaked, clicking noise from transmission when put into gear. *bf
06/11/20047000112/30/2003
 Transmission coming out of park into reverse while idling. *ak
02/29/2004380412/24/2003
 Purchased a 2004 jeep grand cherokee limited edition on 12/24/03. stalls while at a stop. stalled on 12/24/03, 1/14/04, 2/4/04, 2/29/04. dealership taking it in for repair for the 4th time on 3/8/04. cannot identify the problem. on 2/29/04 stalled while in the middle of an intersection. i feel it will likely cause an accident and dealership refuses to replace the vehicle although it is brand new and qualifies for the lemon law.*ak
01/08/20047660411/21/2003
 I leased a brand new 2004 jepp grand cherokee and we drove it off the show room floor. the vehicle had approx 6,000 miles on it, as a manager drove it first. i have owned the vehicle for 2 months and in the past 4 weeks it has been in the shop 4 times for the same problem. the vehicle incorrectly shifts, the engine light comes on, then a burning smell apears, and then the check engine light starts blinking. each time it is taken in for the same thing, they say the have found and repaired another part. the last time after it was fixed before i picked it up the technician even noted it was still shifting harshly. too say the least it is back in the shop, and still having to pay the lease payments!*ak
06/12/2003504105/23/2003
 When driver backed out of the garage, put the vehicle into park, and got out of the vehicle, within seconds, the vehicle accelerated and hit the garage. when the driver returned to the vehicle , it was in drive. *ak ph *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
04/20/200531962204/26/2003
 Incident 1, on saturday february 5, 2005 while maneuvering into a space in a parking lot i shifted into reverse with my foot on the brake suddenly the car, 2004, jeep, grand cherokee lurched backward. i pressed more firmly on the brake pedal and car jerked. then, the engine revved higher, causing the car to hurtle toward cars in the row behind. only by standing on the brake pedal did the vehicle stop, but just inches from a car behind us. dealer's mechanic subsequently could find nothing wrong ,and could not duplicate the event. incident 2 occurred on wednesday april 20, 2005. while braking gently when approaching a red traffic light the engine suddenly started revving quickly. i braked harder, but the engine revved higher, overcoming the braking effort i again stood on the brake, bringing the car to a halt only a few feet from a car waiting at the light. examination of the brake pedal at this time showed that my foot was only on the brake pedal, and not near the accelerator pedal, and that nothing was pressing on the accelerator pedal.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
12/26/200760000107/31/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. the vehicle shifted out of park automatically and was headed in reverse towards the contact. the vehicle pinned her against the mailboxes. she sustained a badly bruised right hip and right arm and pulled a muscle in her back. she went to the emergency room. the driver side door was damaged. the vin, engine size, and speed were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 60,000. updated 01/29/08 *bf updated 01/29/08 *tr
11/24/200735000110/01/2006
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. while the vehicle was parked, it continued to drive forward. the vehicle stopped when it struck a tree while the gear was still in park. the dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. the vehicle has severe damage, estimating approximately $4,000 in repairs. the vehicle is currently in the repair shop. the contact sustained arm injuries from being stuck in the seat belt and the vehicle rolled over her right leg and face. the vehicle also ran over a dog. a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 35,000.
03/28/200727000306/14/2004
 On 2 separate occasions, my jeep lurched forward while parking. the 1st time i had to put 2 feet on the brake pedal to stop it, & the jeep was still trying to drag itself forward. it happened again 2 months later. on march 28, 2007, i had a major incident that has left me terrified of ever driving this vehicle again. i pulled over to transfer some things to another vehicle. i put my jeep in park & left it running. i got out of the jeep (my driver's door was open) & as i got to the rear of the vehicle, it started to slowly roll backwards. i ran back & tried reach the brake, but my foot slipped off & i hit the gas pedal. the jeep let out a roar - it was revving uncontrolably (normal in a vehicle that is in park) - then i felt a bang & the jeep took off, in reverse, like a shot. my right foot got caught under the brake pedal as i scrambled frantically to get into the vehicle. my shoe came off, i was thrown to the ground by my open driver's door & run over by my own jeep. the truck continued in reverse & slammed intoanother vehicle. i was taken by ambulance to hospital for x-rays, a ct scan, and a tetanus shot. i have a broken tailbone, staples closing a gash in my head, abrasions on my feet and hands, wrenched back & neck & severe dizzyness. i know i put the car in park. i heard the door locks release. when i hit the gas, the engine revved for several seconds before banging into reverse & taking off. if the car had actually been in reverse, it would have rolled as soon as i got out. also, it would've just taken off in reverse when i hit the gas, not revved like a jet engine. the vehicle was in park when it was turned off after the accident. i've contacted daimler chrysler. they said thanks for the info, we'll be in touch. i'm not holding my breath. i don't want to ever drive this jeep again. i don't want anyone to ever drive this jeep again. i'd like daimler chrisler to address these issues before others are hurt, & i would appreciate your help. *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
03/28/2005105001
 While parking/running on slight incline vehicle slipped out of park gear into reverse. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.*ak
09/19/20041
 The vehicle is a 2004 jeep grand cherokee laredo and was a rental vehicle. i found out that it is possible to have this vehicle in park, but not have the shift lever locked in the park position. my wife (in the passenger seat) bumped the shift lever as she reached for one of the a/c controls. she was alone in the vehicle. the vehicle went into reverse and rolled backwards across a macdonalds parking lot into another vehicle. this incident had significant possibility for death and/or serious injuries. police were called but declined to respond to an incident on private property.*ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
08/04/2009595001
 I was pulling up to the curb at a shopping center and my 2004 jeep grand cherokee overland suddenly jumped the curb, knocked down a large concrete planter and took out a light pole. the brake would not override the sudden acceleration. luckily, no one was on the sidewalk. this information was reported to the local jeep dealer and to chrysler corporation but they are not admitting their is a problem. the damage to my jeep has been fixed but now i am afraid to drive it. *tr
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
01/04/200885500108/24/2007
 I am writing because the front driveshaft differential assemble in my 2004 jeep failed on january 4, 2008 after i put it into 4 wheel drive for the first time. i had it serviced the day before at a goodyear store. on january 10 the repair company determined that the problem was caused because two new tires, purchased from and mounted by the same goodyear service company, had been placed on the front and two of the existing tires with tread had been placed on the back per goodyear's instructions. the two existing tires were lower in tread than the new tires by about an 1/2 to 1 inch and they said this caused the failure. i checked this with a local jeep dealer and they said that this would happen and that the tire company should have known this. when i brought this to the attention of the tire company that mounted the tires on december 1 and also did the service, they said they did not know about this potential problem and that i should have purchased four tires from them. the tire people had given a price on four tires but said that there was enough tread on the two front tires to continue to use them for a few months. they decided to move two front tires to back and put the two new tires on the front. the mechanics said that the problem was caused by using the four wheel drive with these tires. there is nothing about his in the owner's manual; it says proper operation of four wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel. any difference will adversely affect shifting and cause damage to the transfer case. all tires meet this. jeep/chrysler said the car was out of warranty and even thought jeep new about the problem; they said they were not responsible for fixing it or providing information to their customers about the problem. the goodyear tire company is stevenson tire services in fremont. (510) 792-3363. i have all of the receipts, repair check list and owners manual. *tr
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
1
 When placing the vehicle in first gear driveshaft made a banging noise. when accelerating vehicle was noisy as well. dealer was notified, but could not determine the cause of the problem. *ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
04/18/2007102/19/2005
 2004 jeep grand cherokee , purchased on 02/19/2005 used vehicle with a 24,000 miles or less warranty. purchase price was $20,342.00, mileage on vehicle was: 17268 at time of purchase. problem: on 4/18/2007 i had to replace the transmission on this vehicle which cost me $3,018.99. can i be reimbursed for this mishap? as a consumer i do not believe a vehicle that is 2 1/2 years old should have transmission problems such as the one i incurred with this vehicle. my present mileage is: 57959 thank you for your assistance in this matter *tr