1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: engine overheating

Filed Jul 10, 2007 · Steering · 1,000 miles · ID

While backing slowly and turning, we experienced a catastrophic failure of the mounting bracket for the power steering pump on our 1996 jeep grand cherokee limited 5.2 liter v-8. The failure caused the serpentine belt to fly loose, the pump to become inoperative and the pump to fall into the radiator fan which caused the vehicle to overheat and spray anti-freeze all over the engine compartment. Subsequent examination of the bracket showed an old fracture at the bolt hole nearest the first numeral molded into the part. At a salvage yard a nearly identical bracket from a 1994 model of the same vehicle showed that failure was beginning on that part in precisely the same location.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Steering · 74,000 miles · CA

I have a 1996 jeep grand cherokee limited which I took into the shop for optional maintenance while I was away on vacation. Merely one day after picking up the car, my power steering mounting bracket broke completely away from the engine assembly. I lost all steering capability. Fortunately I was only 2 blocks from home in a 35mph zone, and had not gotten on the freeway at that point. I managed to drive it to a point in the road that curved in and got the vehicle haphazardly to the curb where I called aaa. The car was towed back to the dealership that had just done the maintenance. They informed me that they had never seen the steering bracket/pump come fully away from an engine before. Not having any options, I had them repair and replace whatever parts were necessary. But I'm shocked that this happened, and I'm just thankful that no one was killed or injured including me. Because this is (in the words of the service manager) an "extremely rare" occurance which they had "never seen before", I have to suspect one of two things, 1. Either faulty equipment on the part of jeep, or 2. Tampering by the mechanic to cause failure. If this occured regularly, there would be death tolls in the thousands every day from losing all steering on one's vehicle. The steering malfunction also caused other damage to my cooling system and my fan cover due to the serpentine belt coming loose. While the vehicle was running the belt spun around freely at about 1000 rpms according to the technician he suspected that this was what caused the other damage, so the car was also overheating.

Filed Dec 14, 2001 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

Fuel pump/gas tank/computer all need to be replaced as a result of deterioration of the gas tank lining. Fuel pump overheated, causing computer to malfunction and eventually break. How many people does it take to lose a ton of money because of a defective product that could be dangerous while driving to issue a recall.

Filed Jul 6, 2001 · Tires, Transmission · WA

Recall 98 v 006 000/temporary space saver: front axle overheated due to temporary spare tire. Manufacturer was notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under that recall. *ak consumer found recall 98v006, but his vehicle was not included. Vent tube from the front differential was spiiting burning oil into the engine compartment.

Filed Sep 30, 1999 · Tires · MA

Recall 98v006000 for 1996 grand cherokee temporary spare tire. Reporting of the same condition for this vehicle. Temporary spare tire when used causes the front axle to overheat and force axle fluid out of seals, which results in a fire. Dealer / manufacturer notified and refused to accept responsibility. Can the federal safety agency help in this problem.

Filed Jan 20, 1999 · Engine · VA

Bracket snapped at idler pulley rupturing serpentine belt causing loss of power steering and overheating before engine shutdown

Filed Jun 17, 1998 · Transmission · TX

Transmission has a water cooling system to prevent overheating. The part where the water enters the transmission is defective and allowed water into the transmission causing immediate failure.