The car jumped from park to reverse. Driver of the vehicle suffered injuries and has medicals bills of about $60,000.
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission complaints
Page 8 of 10: complaints 191 to 220 of 279, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The jeep was reversed up a driveway and placed in park. The driver got out of the vehicle, then about 20 seconds later, the jeep jumped into reverse and drove across the street and was stopped by a ditch. The hand brake was not activated. I did not report it at the time because I thought it must have been a driver error, but I saw the safety report on cnn (7/4/01) and realized that the incident was due to a defect.
I complained to the dealer that the car poped out of park into reverse. They assured me that this had never happened, so I just thought I might not have engaged the car fully in park. I had backed up to a customer's loading dock, put the car in park. Open
My jeep slipped into reverse while shift was in park. The car rolled back through my garage with the car door open and smashed through the garage causing damage to both the car and the garage. I was sure I did not leave the car in reverse. The car was in park when I got back into it. I discussed this with the tow truck driver, the insurance agent, the mechanic and body shop. I also called the dealer to see if they have heard of this before. They said no. I got no where proving that it was a defect and as a result my insurance and me covered the repairs. The tow truck driver also stated that he could not get the car to stay in park and it kept shifting into reverse and rolling back on his truck. He evidentually got it to stick so he could tow it.
The jeep automatically shifted to reverse after it was put in park and the driver was out of the car. We had to chase the vehicle, jump in and stop it before it would have crashed into a fence and possibly gone onto a major road.
On october 30, 2000, when driving out of my driveway with '96 grand cherokee jeep, I stopped and put the vehicle in park to get out of the car to retrieve an object on the ground. When I left the vehicle I noticed it started to roll back, instantly I attempted to jump back into the jeep and secure it. I was unsuccessful in my attempt and the vehicle proceeded to roll backwards, crashing into my neighbor's house, causing extensive damage to house, garage and parked vehicles. I was also injured when attempting to stop the runaway vehicle, sustaining a fractured ankle and shoulder injury. A local police report was filed in the town of shrewsbury, massachusetts and a comprehensive report was filed with my automobile insurance company. I assumed that I may not have put the car in "park" since I never suspected a defect with the grand cherokee. After reading the article yesterday in the news, I could not believe it was so similar to my experience. If you need additional information please call or email me. I will be glad to provide you with the vehicle id number, my daughter has the car out of state, but when she returns I will obtain the number and send it to you.
I pulled my jeep grand cherokee into my bank parking lot, put it in park and spent a few moments getting out my bank card. Then, I got out of my car and left the driver door open. Went to the teller machine, inserted my card, I.d. Info, etc. Then turned to see my car just starting to back away. Because of the way the wheels were turned, it basically backed in a circular motion and proceed to go right through a small shopping mall and the plate glass window of a shop. No one was hurt but substantial damage to the shop, mall and my car. Geico paid for the damages to the shop and mall but I never cashed their check for my car because it was insufficient to get repairs at three different shops and I was waiting until I could round up the extra dollars I would need to have the repairs made.made.
Car went into reverse when parked "park" reversed into a tree down the driveway at about 10 MPH. There was extensive damage to the rear end. Then, two months later, I was parked in park in front of our farm gate, motor running, when I hopped out to get the mail from the box across the lane. As I started to leave the open door, the car started to move from the stopped position in reverse. I ran alongside and jumped back it and stomped on the brake. It was this time that I looked at the gear shift and noted that it had moved from the park position to a place just above the r for reverse but indeed was in reverse! My body shop person had informed me of another jeep owner who was pinned against his garage door when his jeep grand cherokee went from park into reverse. I can get him to get in touch with this organization. The dealers response to me was "I propbably did not have it in gear properly and did I have the parking brake on?" believe me when I say.....I sure put it on now and check it double but sure don't trust it enough to idle in park......although after driving for 35 years I have never had the problem with other cars or trucks! The fuel pump had evidently been a problem for them as the dealer said that there have been several failures "but no recall" the pump has to be replaced by factory part at $500 plus dollars with an additional $700.00 for labor to install "and even then, we can't guarantee it but for 6 months! Thanks to the la times for the article on the jeep reverse problem and I will bet you that there are more than a "small' number of complaints regarding this issue.
I put the vehicle in park, stepped out of the car, turned around and glanced at the car, and saw that it was rolling backwards down the street. I ran to jump into the car, landed chest first on the driver seat, with my legs dangling out the door. I saw that the vehicle was in reverse, rather than park, as I had left it. I threw the car into park. It kept rolling, picking up speed and forcing my body to begin slipping out the door. I reached for the foot brake, couldn't reach it, and fell out the door. The vehicle's wheels rolled 12 inches from my head. I jumped up and watched the vehicle crash into a neighbor's garage and stop. I don't know the dollar cost damage to the garage.
The transmission was rebuilt in jan.2001. On may 4th, 2001 I took vechile to amocco transmission to get a diagnostic of the transmission. Was told there was a problem, since my vechicle was still under warranty, was told to take back to dealer. Jerry's linclon-jeep dealer had my vechilce for two weeks and said nothing was wrong with the transmission, I gave them amocco's diagnotic report. On 5/20/01 I was driving on rt 81 south -va, when I put my jeep in to 4 wheel drive, it started to burn, called 911 and told to get out of vechicle. The jeep then proceeded to catch on fire. The woddstock,va fir department put out fire. It was towed to the woodstock garage(jeep dealer). It is estimated to have about $7500 worth of damage. I was told by my insurance company it might be totaled..
Great weather, smooth road, a bottom of a hill, left rear axle broke at 60 MPH causing the vehicle to spin and then roll. Left rear wheel totally separated from vehicle. Vehicle was a total loss after rolling and landing upside down.
The transmission problem may have existed when we purchased car. But being that it was new to us, we did not know the difference between a good or bad transmission. I did at first say something to the dealership about the transmission, but they said it was fine that this is how it normally is. But the same issue that I have felt since day number one of our purchase is exactly what is wrong with it today. I have also found out from several different transmission specialists that chrylser jeeps have an inherent problem with their transmissions. They all fail for the same exact reasons. It is apparently an inherent defect in the transmission.
3th transmission in 2 years--40,000 miles!!!!
When starting vehicle it will not go in reverse, when drivingat any speed it sometimes will not change gears, rpms stay up.
While traveling 60mph heard a noise. Noticed smoke in rear mirror. Tried getting off freeway beside ramp. Parked vehicle. Vehicle caught on fire. Towed to dealer. Informed rear differential had gotten hot which caused fire. Had been to dealership several times complaining about differential.
Since the brake disc rotor was recalled on my car I wondered whether any other owners had a problem with the rusting of front axle joints and calipers hanging up. Thank you!
This vehicle has cost us over $3,000 in the first 1 year and half we have owned it. I have never owned a vehicle with this little of mileage and had everything go up. We feel this auto is a total lemon and people should be made aware of the problems of this particular vehicle. We have never towed anything nor had it on anything other surface other than a paved road. I'm not sure what if anything you can do for us, but letting the federal safety agency know about this vehicle is some reassurance. What really upsets me is that we bought this vehicle from a supposed reputable dealer. Thank you for your time. I'd appreciate any information you can provide me on this particular vehicle as far as any other owner complaints etc. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. No safety defect listed within summary.
Automatic transmission slipping.
Consumer rear axle and transfer case failed at the same time. Nlm
First differential failure happened on vacation trip after I installed two new tires. Jeep started making high pitched whine & passengers & I could detect what smelled like hot fluids. Stopped & noted liquid on engine, tires, and front differential. Liquid was smoking! Took to jeep dealer listed in this report & dealer rebuilt front differential. Said all was ok. After 200 miles, front differential again failed and this time it was a major jolt! This time at 75 MPH in heavy traffic! Was able to maneuver thru traffic & get to side of road. Front differential was "red hot!" & I was afraid of a fire. Called jeep roadside assistance & they got me a tow. Dealer where car was towed said front diff got so hot that it warped! Also told me that the cause of failure was because I put new tires on front & not back. Said difference in diameters on tires (new vs. Worn) caused the quadra-trac drive to fail. Later inquiry to damler-chrysler resulted in a "verbal" response that, "if there is as much as 1/2" difference in circumference of tires on the quadra-trac units, a drive train failure can occur." note that jeep had a recall on this type of full-time 4 wheel drives, but explained that a fire could result if a smaller spare tire was used. Jeep should have gone further and explained that failure and fire could result from having tires with different circumferences. Jeep has a file on my complaint, but wil not discuss or answer any questions. They also refuse to accept any responsibitlty and the "written response" was, "I have thoroughly reviewed your message and the entire file on this matter. Your concerns are understandable. Unfortunately there is nothing further that can be done to fully address these issues......" I now feel that jeep is well aware of the "potential safety hazard" associated with this situation and has down played it as much as possible by "just issueing a recall for spare tire usage". The public should be advised!
Rear differential ruined from use of smaller spare and driven only 21 miles at 50mph. Uneven traction using smaller spare caused vehicle to be nearly unsafe at 50mph. A full size spare should mandatory.
Transmission had to be rebuilt due to internal failure. Vehicle would not shift causing hazard while driving. Technician indicated that transmission was automobilt unit and not suitable for use in SUV for towing as indicated by the manufacturer in the operating instructions. Not covered under warranty.
While driving on a highway rear wheels locked. Vehicle was towed to a dealer and technician said that rear axle had burned out and need to be rebuilt.
Vehicle vibration and load roaring noise reported 3 times to dealership. Driveshaft was ordered but the parts were on back-order. We were told the vehicle was safe to drive, but the driveshaft vibration caused the transfer case to blow apart on the interstate at 70mph. This nearly cased the vehicle to go out of control. Dealership then said the failure was due to vehicle abuse, but we had an independent mechanic and our auto insuance claims adjuster certify that the transfer case failure was due to the excessive vibration of the drive shaft. The bottom line: dealership knew we were driving an un-safe vehicle and tried to cover their error by accusing the customer of vehicle abuse.
The front and rear axles broke, vehicle is also locked in 4 wheel drive. Nlm
When shifting transmission from park to reverse, the transfer case slips out from 4-low to neutral.
I want to know if the time I used the temporary spare, in the rear of the car for a flat tire, had anything to do with the rear differential breaking. I rode on the temporary spare for approximatley 150 miles and the rear differential broke down approximately 10 months later.
Transmission keeps slipping out of gear into lower gear, causing vehicle to slowdown unexpectedly. Consumer must pull over and change gear. Dealer cannot duplicate the defect. *ak
Front differential went out after putting new tires on front. Repaired & went 200 miles & failed again. Jeep states that since vehicle is all wheel drive, a 1/2 inch difference in circumference between tires will cause drive train failure--have not seen anything written concerning such close tolerances--could have locked up and caused major accident.
Purchased vehicle from mccune chrysler-plymouth-jeep as a previosly owned vehicle that just finished a lease. On 02/08/2000, while driving home from bowling, the transmission would not upshift causing the engine rpms to climb to 4-5,000 RPM's (continued home, 7 miles). Wife next day 02/09/2000, took kids to school and on the freeway to her mom's house ( a distance of only 5 miles), transmission failed to stay engaged, she crept home at about 5-15 MPH. This transmission was serviced every 12-18,000 miles. The last service done was at 70,150 miles, (atf+3, filter&gasket)failure happened at 77,740 miles, I was stunned! I called mccune and asked if there was a recall and if there was anything that they can do, I was given an estimate of $2,200+, and was told there was no recall. I took the jeep down to a local transmission shop (coronas transmission) and was told that the transmission was "burnt up". Went to get a second opinion at aamco, given estimate of $1800+. I was so disappointed that a "top-of-the-line jeep grand cherokee limited 4x4" failed to perform at such a low mileage. In my disheartened state, on 02/11/2000 I traded my pride and joy (took a heavy loss) for a ford expedition xlt. As much as I loved my jeep's styling, performance and luxury, I will never buy another.
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