Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact attempted to make a turn then a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the steering wheel locked without warning. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 4/15/13
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering complaints
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Tl* the contact owns a 1996 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that when driving the vehicle it "shimmies" all over the highway. He stated that the steering box is defective because one of the attachment lugs on the box is broken. The lower control arms have been re torque-d by the owner approximately one week ago and so far the failure had not returned. The dealer was unable to detect the failure. The failure mileage is approximately 50,000. The current mileage is approximately 115,000.
Problem... Driving down the road or stopped at light or in the middle of a turn or on expressway... It would shut off without warning, sometime it would restart immediately, sometimes not!!!... Extremely dangerous situations developed, which I was lucky!!! 1996 jeep grand cherokee, 4.0 , 6 cyl.... Spent 6 months doing repairs/ replacement parts and many ,many dollars spent tracking down part after part. Using diagnostics machine to determine faulty part... Problem was the power control module ( PCM or ecu same part) was defective and either was misreading codes or giving out bad codes to parts (like to the crank shaft position sensor or the coil, or the 01 or 02 ox sensors or it goes on and on and on). Not sure how it works but you get my drift. Since signing up with cnet.com, have found many people across america with the same issue on jeep with different years (1994/2000) and models. To search... Look up jeep stalls or jeep fixed and you will see other topics and forums around that topic and you will also see where the manufacture doesn't know how to address the problem either. Another possible recall issue is the screws that hold the PCM might be too long and are grounding out the unit after paint wears off on firewall... Important to read all articles and different forums!!! ... Is a must lastly... Instead of replacing PCM's, is it possible to have the PCM re flashed under recall??? I'm stretching, but maybe electrical power storms and rain is causing parts to defect??? Lastly... Jeep parts consists of module power units that work or don't work but the PCM reads the codes and adjusts the workable of the motor... Another issue is that there are several issues that will shut down the motor besides the fore mentioned parts... Ie... Asd relay, the security system, door locks, steering column, the electronic key, the back windshield wiper...
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.
Dt consumer stated while driving there was a loud noise, then 2 bolts broke from the steering column, this caused loss of steering. The vehicle was towed, the mechanic stated there was also another bolt located on the inside of the steering column that broke as well. Two jeep dealers said they had never heard of this happening before. *jb both cv boots are broken and the brakes had to be repaired. *tt
While driving in reverse consumer lost steering control. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic determined that the problem was caused by the main bolts shearing off from the steering gear box.
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.
Upon starting the vehicle, I immediately heard a bang followed by loud clanging under the hood. I began backing out of my garage and noticed I had no power steering. At this point I estimated that the belt had broken and shut down the engine. On examining under the hood the power steering pump pulley was visibly out of alignment and the belt was wrapped around the fan. Closer examination revealed that the power steering pump bracket was broken into three pieces. I also have one bolt sheered off with the stud still stuck in the cylinder head. I have acquired a replacement part but the necessary replacement bolt was out of stock. Before repairs can proceed, I will need to drill the existing bolt out, possibly having to remove the cylinder head assy to gain the proper access. Although no injuries resulted, the car is not drivable in this condition and the failure has caused my family major inconvenience. Had this happened at a different time the consequences could have been much more severe.
Bracket that holds power steering pump to the engine broke off when the vehicle was in reverse. *ak *ph
Power steering bracket broke off from engine block, causing loss of steering ability and drive belts to disengage from engine.
Steering gear box failed, while driving a loud knocking noise from under floorboard and then lost control of vehicle....could have caused terrible accident on the freeway.
While backing out of a parking space, I heard a loud snap and the suddenly lost the power steering. I could not make it home and had the vechicle towed to a local service station. The aaa tow truck man noticed that the serpentine belft was off the pulley. The power steering pump bracket snapped off the engine block. The head to one of the bolts on the bracket sheered off, leaving the stud in the engine block (probably needs to be drilled out or rebored). I plan to replace the part with the same aluminum dealer part, but I am very concerned about the related safety issue. I had my wife, infant and 3-yr old son in the car. If this would have happened at highway speeds or on a sharp turn, the results could have been disastrous. The dealership claims that this is a typical problem and the bracket can break. This is unacceptable!.
Replaced two (2) power steering pumps; have written emails to daimlerchrysler with unacceptable responses; the diferential bearing failures could have been extremely dangerous.
The detail around this is that the bracket holding the power steering pump failed and the pump fell and knocked off the steering drive belt causing the power steering to fail. The car was not controlable even at these low speeds. If this would have happened at freeway speeds, this could have disastrous with fatalities. Because one half of the bolt remained, it had to be drilled out from the engine,block, rethreaded and then a new bracket put on costing $290.32.
While driving power steering bracket cracked in half.
Vehicle was parked, consumer started up vehicle, and it felt odd, the steering wheel was heavy, he lifted up hood, and fan belt was wrapped around the fan. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak. Consumer stated the power steering motor was found hanging loosely, upon inspection, it was discovered that a bolt had sheared off and the bracket holding the power steering motor had cracked at the top leaving it hanging, that loosened the serpentine belt which ended up wrapped around the fan.
While backing out of a parking space, my wife heard a loud snap and suddenly couldn't steer the vehicle. She was able to make it home, where I discovered the serpentine belt was off the pulley.. Upon further inspection the next day, the mount that holds the power steering pump onto the engine block had snapped in 3 places. I have since found more information on the internet that this has happened to others. I am replacing it with the same dealer part; however, if the part itself is defective, this could have disasterous results if it happened while on the road. Here is a link to the info I found: http://jeepsunlimited.com/zj/steering/bracket.htm.
Complete sudden loss of steering without any warning symptoms even at 1 MPH is a safety defect. It could have as easily happened from hitting a pothole at 70 MPH, killing me and causing great damage. I have the car serviced regualrly at the dealer since
Vehicle shut down without prior warning steering wheel locked up. Back wheel bearing were still rubbiing, and headlights go on and off. Dealership is aware of problems.
While driving noticed steering getting loose, dealer discovered 2 bolts that held steering box had sheared off. Bolts were replaced. Then, on 8 july 2001, while driving 5 MPH steering went out. Consumer had no control, had vehicle towed to dealer. Steering had collapsed.
The fuel gage does not properly indicate the amount of fuel in the tank. The electrical system shorts frequently, locking and unlocking the doors, opening and shutting windows by itself. The alarm system also shorts frequently, doing the same thing.
Consumer was traveling about 20mph on a side street and heard a metal noise. Then, power steering went out. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak consumer was unable to steer, consumre was told by dealer that this type of vehicle where the brackets bolts fall out are common.
Steering wheel locks up when vehicle is being towed. Dealer has been notified.*ak
Consumer was traveling about 55-60mph with her 4 year old child and lost power steering and cooling fan. Consumer had to use all weight to get vehicle off highway. Problem was idler pulley broke. Mechanic called it alternator bracket idler part #53008443. Chrylser didn't seem to be concerned, only said they couldn't cover it, out of warranty. *ak
Intermittently when brakes are applied vehicle revs to a high RPM. Also, while making a turn, vehicle will stall out and die. Dealer has inspected vehicle several times, and has not been able to correct problem.*ak there was a crack in the bracket for the power steering pump which disabled the fan belt. Consumer states vehicle has experienced electrical problems.
Bolts that hold gear box to unibody frame sheared in half while parking with a resulting total loss of steering control.
While driving with headlights on, if consumer moves or tilts steering wheel, headlights go out. *ak the tilt steering wheel problem is due to defective design by manufacturer. When the wheel was tilted to the maximum, the multifunction switch connector become unpluged.
While turning the steering wheel, consumer heard a loud pop, consumer examined vehicle and found two large hardened bolts which fastened the entire steering gear box mechanism to the frame had severed, dealer replaced the steering box, bolts, lower radiator hose, and coolant.
At a stop light the aluminum power steering pump bracket which connects the pump to the engine block broke completely in half. The pump started to bounce around under the hood while the belt wraped itself around the fan. Had I been on the freeway I wou
This pitman arm assembly failed at low mileage. Consultation with mechanics indicated this as very unusual and could pose a serious safety hazard if left unattended.
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