Jeep Grand Cherokee -- Buyer Beware!

[Coached]

We have had at least two Jeep Grand Cherokees in our family continuously since 1976, plus allot of other Brands. Jeep "been berry berry good to me" ... due to their complexity resulting from being of the "off road" breed, there can be issues not found on other on road vehicles. We've been towing a Cherokee since 2002; the last two were diesels and the ones before the venerable 4.7 v8 ... great vehicles in my opinion and tough to break, impossible to beat, even if you throw way more money at it.

This is a great site and it's free ... been using it for years now; it will bring you "real" info. Consumer Car Reports and Car Recall Safety Check - Consumer Complaints and Ratings

[kjburns]

It sounds like it should be something curable that is specific to your Jeep. We have a 2010 with the same engine and I've seen nothing resembling surging, even on an 8% grade nearby.

We've had ours for a little over a year and there have been no issues, except the Bluetooth occasionally not working when I receive a call.

I would think about getting another dealer involved or calling Jeep.

I tried the link that Tiff Inn posted and our model had zero issues which matches our experience.

Edit: there was one engine/cooling system complaint.

[Parkerrs]

Try another dealer and maybe you can get something worked out. I've heard this complaint from several members on the jeep garage forum, but it's hit or miss depending on production dates.

I've got two new JGC's, one is Oct. 2010 production overland while the other is a Feb. 2011 production summit edition. Both have the Hemi and 4 wheel drive. I've had no surging or shudder issues with either one as of yet. 8K on the Overland and 3K on the Summit. I do have issues with the bluetooth phone connection in the older one.

[ImagineIF]

FWIW, I've tried two dealers, a regional service representative and the factory. Everyone that's ridden agrees it should be doing what it is doing, but could not offer a fix. The last, the regional service rep, took another new one out and it did the same thing--so it must be normal :-(

I've been driving in tow/hual mode which, as I understand it, turns off the engines economy mode and changes the transmission shift point. The problem is still there, but slightly less noticable. It's likely the transmission.

Maybe Jeep should change their tag line, "Buy a Jeep for driving where you can't expect any support, both in the wild and next door to a dealer". All I can say is I've given Jeep every opportunity to fix the problem. I even offer a few grand to trade the vehicle for a similiar V-6 model. So far, they don't care!

[targaboat]

We love our Jeep. Sure glad not everyone likes them for there was one on the dealer's lot we liked. One of the best vehicles made. It is not really fair to use this forum, RV forum, to bash the Jeep. You bashers go find something else to do.

[kjburns]

ImagineIF, it sounds like you've done all you can to get Jeep to fix the problem. I think your only option at this point would be the lemon law. They're too expensive to put up with a consistent problem.

Having said that, I have a 2001 Miata SE that stumbles and surges when cold. It idles normally, but the first mile or so it isn't happy. I was researching the problem and found it was a common trait of the 2000 and 2001 Miatas. After the engine starts to warm, the surging goes away. It's mildly annoying, but not a deal breaker.

With the Grand Cherokee, the problem might be common to some, but not all of them, at least not our 2010 with the same drive train. If they're telling you that it's "normal", they are sweeping the problem under the rug.

[ImagineIF]

Originally Posted by targaboat

We love our Jeep. It is not really fair to use this forum, RV forum, to bash the Jeep. You bashers go find something else to do.

Really! The Jeep is widely accepted as the TOAD with the least towing restrictions. I used this forum and other information to base my Jeep buying decision on. FWIW, I did not bash Jeep, I simply stated factual information specific to my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee ownership experience. Your experience may be better and I hope it is. i doubt every V-8 powered Jeep suffers the same issue, even though Jeep is saying mine is normal. The bottom line is I'm providing a potential buyer with information they MAY consider in their buying process. For others with the same problem I'm providing information that confirms they aren't alone.

[Iron Man]

I may have missed it somewhere have you gone to several dealers and drove a jeep similar to what you have and see how many do what you describe? It may be 'normal' and you may just have to live with it or if it is an isolated issue they might narrow down what the cause could be. If Chrylser does not feel anything is wrong they will not try to fix the problem.

[fkloster]

Originally Posted by JimM68

What he said.

They're running that hemi on half it's cylinders and then putting it in overdrive with the torque converter locked when running at a thousand rpm trying to get some fuel mileage out of a 350 cubic inch 400 horsepower V8 pulling 5000 pounds.....

Had a vette that was programmed like that, overdrive and converter lockup at 40 mph, with the gearing in the car that put the engine at 700 rpm! She would shudder so bad you'd think it was gonna quit.

Solution was just to pull it back into third gear, or drive a little faster.

What these guys said.

This jeep is an amazing accomplishment for Chrysler and I feel the best SUV they have ever built. An engine that shuts down 1/2 its cylinders when not in use = envy of the rest of the auto world.

[Dav5942]

Nine Jeeps here over 40 years, can't remember any problem other than normal maintenance.

[ImagineIF]

Originally Posted by fkloster

An engine that shuts down 1/2 its cylinders when not in use = envy of the rest of the auto world.

Not really, my 2009 Chevy Tahoe had the same. The only difference is that the Tahoe never had an issue. Too bad it wasn't a 4WD. If it was I would have never sold it.

[ImagineIF]

Originally Posted by Parkerrs

I do have issues with the bluetooth phone connection in the older one.

My JCG has the same build month as yours and maybe a similiar issue. Using a Blackberry I find the Blackberry can't be in locked mode when I start the Jeep. If it is the Bluetooth does not attempt to connect. If the Blackberry is not locked, I think it syncs via Bluetooth every time. The problem is making sure the Blackberry is not locked before I start the Jeep.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by fkloster

What these guys said.

This jeep is an amazing accomplishment for Chrysler and I feel the best SUV they have ever built. An engine that shuts down 1/2 its cylinders when not in use = envy of the rest of the auto world.

I doubt the rest of the automobile world "envys" this "innovation" It's been tried at least as far back as the early 1980's. Cadillac had an 8-6-4 version of the aluminum block V8. While it didn't suffer from a surging problem it did have an irritating vibration when in the 6 cylinder mode under light acceleration. It felt as though the engine was missing when you tried light acceleration at highway speeds.

They battled with customer complaints for several years. Finally they authorized the dealers to disable the system allowing the engine to run in the 8 cylinder mode all the time. It was probably a smart move on their part. With the system operating the combined city/highway mileage was only 1 mpg better than when the engine ran full time in the 8 cylinder mode.

[KaseyKahneFan]

'm not so sure this is a cylinder drop out issue or a Hemi V8 issue. My mom (who is 80) has a v6 2011 Grand Cherokee overland V6. She has complained about this very issue to me and she did take it back to the dealer for the re-flash. They ow tell her it's "normal". I had pretty much written this off to her being 80 and not totally aware of what was happening. I have driven it on short drives but not very far and noticed nothing. I will now be driving it more on a couple longer trips to see what happens.

Sounds maybe more like a transmission programing issue. If this thing does not drive right I will personally park it back in their show room without first opening the door.

You description sounds just like my mothers, so i doubt it is limited to the V8. I'll watch this thread very close.