This is a serious problem that jeep knows about, but I don't think they know how to fix it. It's commonly referred to as the "death wobble" -- and I gather that it might be more common amongst jeeps that are lifted, though mine has not been lifted. Saturday, may 15, 2004. Driving at freeway speed. Veered into left lane to avoid cars that were slowing in my lane. I stepped on the brake as I moved into the left lane. Steering wheel and whole front of car shook violently to the point it felt that it was going to fall apart. Took foot off gas/brake and as the car slowed down it stopped shaking after about 5-10 seconds. Pulled into far left shoulder b/c I was shaken up, then proceeded home. I took the car to a brake shop. My car had 18,000 miles on it and yet the rotors were warped, so I had the rotors and brake pads replaced. Tuesday, may 25, 2004. Same freeway incident from above occurred. Did some research on the internet and quickly found "death wobble," on a variety of sites about jeeps. Discovered problem might be an alignment problem, so I had my car aligned and the tires balanced. Sunday, june 20, 2004. Car shook again on freeway. Had been told by a friend that turning the wheel slightly to the right might stop the shaking. I did this and the shaking stopped. Saturday, july 03, 2004. Car shook while going through 9th st. Tunnel in washington dc. Took car to rosenthal jeep. Wrote lengthly description of the problem on the drop-off envelope. Asked that they check out the entire front of the car. Jeep replaced the steering damper -- which was "leaking." saturday, july 10, 2004. Car shook on freeway. Called rosenthal jeep at 2:57pm. A woman in the service department listened to my problem, put me on hold and then put me into a male's voicemail. Have yet to receive a return phone call.
2001 Jeep Cherokee brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 56, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Purchased a new 2001 jeep cherokee sport. When brakes applied car weaved or pulled to the left. (2) emergencey stop on major hwy. 2 am front end shook violently and pulled my car onto the center grass divider.(3) returned jeep to dealer. Service manager could not replicate problem. Brought car to independent brake repair shop. Replaced pads, and installed new rotors. Two days later car shook violently upon braking at 45mph. Returned to lithia colorado jeep dealer. Stated warped rotors. Replaced rotors and pads. Problem is on going and will now need to have repairs done a third time in 24.000 miles. General manager of lithia states he can repair brakes but not solve the problem because both he and chrysler know the rotors are defective they simply replace the old rotors with new defective rotors. 35 exact problems reported on www.mycarstats.com in the last 90 days.
While driving, the front end shook. The dealer replaced the front rotors eight times, but the problem recurred. The dealer did not know why the rotors were wearing out prematurely. *ak the dealer suggested that the rotors could not be fixed properly because of the substandard parts chrysler used. The vehicle would ride rough and the brakes seemed to squeak only when it rained. *sc
I usually drive back roads under 50 miles per hour. My husband had taken my 2001 jeep cherokee sport on the interstate and a car switched lanes infront of us causing him to have to brake quickly. The front of my car shook so hard we almost went into a jersey wall. Until that vehicle was under 40 miles per hour the front end was shaking so violently it was barely controlable. If I would have been driving it may very well have caused a serious accident. The problem with my vehicle was covered under service bulletin 0500401. What we experienced was not minor pulsation. The front rotor was visibly warped! When I called jeep customer service about the problem they admitted that they were aware that the front rotors would warp under conditions of high heat or high road salt use. This was not a recall nor did they offer to meet part of the cost of repair ($700). But the composite of the brake rotor has since been changed so that this problem no longer happens. We were lucky to not have a vehicle in the lane next to us and we were lucky not to have hit the jersey wall. I wanted to make you aware of this because the next person may not be so lucky.
When applying the brake front end vibrated. Dealer determined that front and rear rotors were warped.
When brakes are applied the vehicle shakes, and driver can hear metal grinding. The front and rear brakes need replacement every 30,000 miles.
While applying the brakes vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle. Drove the vehicle to dealer for analysis, and mechanic noticed that the brake rotors needed to be replaced.
While driving 65 MPH driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, causing the vehicle to hit a pole and role three times. Vehicle landed upside down on an embankment. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained back and neck injuries, and was transported by ambulance to hospital.
On the way to the dealership, the brakes locked up and the consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. *ak *ph the dealer replaced the rotors.
The front rotors were worn which caused extended stopping distance. *jb the front brake rotor had disintegrated. The brake pads only made contact with 75 percent of the rotors. *scc
The brakes shimmied and shuddered excessively when applied, since the vehicle purchased. Dealer diagnosed cause as defective rotors.*ak *cb
When brake pedal is depressed the entire vehicle shakes severely. Cause unknown.
Consumer was having brake problems. Also s while driving stepped on the brakes and they did no work. Dealer was contacted and stated that the brakes got too hot and that they could'n do any thing about it.
The rotors are warped on my jeep after less than 20,000 miles. This makes it very difficult to stop when applying the brakes and the entire vehicle shakes violently including the steering wheel. Obviously this is a defect that daimler chrysler is aware of. Too bad they won't admit it. Hopefully it will be become a recall.
Front disc brake rotors are warping approximately every 10,000 miles. This causes the brake pedal to pulse and the steering wheel to rotate a few degrees left and right during braking. Jeep's warranty specifically excludes brake rotors after 12,000 miles, leading me to the conclusion that they are aware that there is a design or material problem with the brake rotors. Rotors should last longer than the brake pads.
The rotors were warped, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.
The rotors on the vehicle were warped. *jb
While the consumer was driving at 25-30 MPH, the brakes locked up suddenly. *yh
After purchasing the vehile, it was driven for roughtly 3,000 miles before the problem happened. I took it to jeep to have it looked at and they said that the rotors were warped and needed to be resurfaced. After it was fixed and driven it was fine until about another 3000 miles and the problem occured again, so it took it to jeep to complain and they just resurfaced the rotors and ignored my compliants. And again it is still recurring. When you go to slow down at any speed the car violently shakes b/c of the warped rotors and it makes it hard to slow down, especailly at high speeds. This problem really increases the stopping time necessary to slow the car. If I had to make a quick stop it would be very hard. It is obviously a malfunction and jeep is ignoring the problem. I've talked to some people and they say it is either the rotors they give are bad or they were mounted at the plant incorrectly which cause the rotors to warp. It is not my driving which jeep likes to blame it on, and I'm sure many other people get the same response from them. Mr
Front rotors and the pads are wearing excessively. Front rotors were turned twice, and replaced once. Brake pads were replaced on three occasions from 15.000 miles to present. Dealer notified. *ak consumer stated that while driving the steering and front end shakes.
Front brake rotors and pads are wearing excessively from 26,400 miles to present mileage. Repairs made at a repair shop. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Jeep was subject to vibration when braking due to front rotors warping. Rotors were turned prior to this, but problem reoccurred after 3000 to 5000 miles. Dealership stated this wa sdue to driver's error. Please describe details.
Consumer states front rotors continue to warp after (2) replacements. When ever the truck hits a bump while traveling 50 MPH or above will shake violently. Owner is concerned about controlling the truck when this happens. *jb also the upper and lower ball joint was loose which was causing the steering wheel to shake, the transfer case was loose, the gasket and thermostat was replaced due to a coolant leak, cruise control was inoperative, the air condition and heater only blows at defrost vents, the rear luggage rail came out.
The brakes seem to pulsate when applied. The steering seems to drift over the yellow line at random times when the brakes are applied and the vehicles front end nose dives after braking. These times are unpredictable and sometimes weeks in between.
Consumer was informed that the rotors had spots on them and needed to be machined. *yh
When applying brakes, vehicle vibrates/shakes severely. Dealer notified and informed consumer that front brake rotors were out of round due to overheating. *ak
Vehicle front end shakes when brakes applied. Rotors are warped and have been turned twice by the dealer, once at 5791 miles and again at 14207 miles and now jeep wants to turn them again at 21500 miles. I have been forced to deal with the manufacture myself because my dealer has been told by jeep that they will not replace the rotors, they will only turn them at my cost because this is a maintenance item and not in warranty eventhough the vehicle was purchased this way when it was new. Also this has been a month long process because I cannot get any answers from anyone because they keep saying they are sending this to their district manager who will return my call but I have not recieved any calls so far.
Front brake rotors are warping and causing front end to shake when brakes are applied. Had rotors turned twice.
Vehicle was at dealer for brake service. Mechanic determined that tie rod sleeve was disconnecting and had to be replaced.
Vibration when braking, more at 50 MPH and higher and at low speed. Rotors were grounded in june of 2001, then, replaced 10 days later. Then, grounded again in november 2001. At this time there is vibration again.
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