1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Apr 9, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · CA

Vehicle randomly stalls and dies at low to moderate speeds. Engine will shudder briefly and shutoff. Stalling will occur when stopped or speeds ranging from 1 to 40 MPH. When vehicle stalls, electrical system will reset and power steering fails. Restart is sometimes achievable immediately, but more often takes a minimum of 30 seconds and up to several minutes. Issue seems unaffected by outside temperature or other environmental factors. Engine failure often occurs within the first 15 minutes of driving, but has occurred at greater time intervals. Spark plugs, spark plug wires, ignition rotor, and upstream oxygen sensor have been replaced, but problem persists. This has caused near accidents on multiple occasions. This issue is persistent and ongoing.

Filed Oct 17, 2010 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · CA

99 jeep grand cherokee purchased 4/2003. Front brakes shudders at road/highway speeds of 40-65mph. Acquired this/tsb from sd school district automotive shop. This/tsb requires replacement of akebono front calipers from teves. After replacement the problem didn't cease. Did some analyzing myself, found that rear brake pads were cracked. Replaced the whole rear brake components and the problem ceased until after rear brake pads passed 60% of thickness, problem arises again. My own conclusion lies to design of rear brake pad material to be insufficient for the weight of vehicle.

Filed Mar 24, 2006 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · SC

Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, there was a pulsation within the brakes. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the rotors were replaced. The problem persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. It was determined the rotors were warped and needed to be replaced again. It got progressively worse with increased mileage until they shuddered and grabbed. The problem recurred within 5,000 miles of repairs. A kit is now available for front brakes, it includes new calipers and pads. The contact felt the rear brakes demonstrated the same problem, but not as pronounced. There is no formally recognized problem by jeep, nor a solution.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Brakes · 48,500 miles · FL

Since I owned this vehicle it has been a hazard safety for me and my family.I can honestly say im afraid even to sell it and pass the problem on to someone else.until someone gets killed is when jeep will finally due something about it.the brakes and rotors are constantly warping or failing.constant shuddering/vibrating in slow speed stop and high speed decelaration stop.on this site alone there is 326 complaints about the same issue, but nothing is being done.dealer just turns rotors and fixes pads.how many times do you actually turn a rotor.come on already.there is a class action lawsuit against chrysler in effect right now as im writing this.it is only valid for kansas/missour residents only.hello the rest of the country has the same problem with the cherokee.rotors and pads have been serviced only nothing else.I took the vehicle to another brake shop for a second opinion.they stated to me the rotors are not appropriate for this vehicle and jeep should have replaced them along with new calipers.all a want is an end to this problem.I replaced the rotors and pads again at my expense.still same problem.I previously had 2 jeeps before earlier models with no problems.I guess chrysler has lost another customer.

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · CT

4th time I'm replacing rotors/pads on '99 jeep gr cherokee, vehicle has 52,000 miles...replacing rotors every 10,000 miles? Ridiculous!!!! Braking on the highway at around 55 MPH, whole vehicle shudders with high chance of lost of control of front end. This is a life threatening defect, why isn't jeep doing something?

Filed May 30, 2004 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · CA

Braking shudder at 55 MPH and higher caused by apparent rotor warping. This warpage has happened several times; therefore, rotors have been turned several times to present at which time now I needed replacement. With new replacement rotors it is still exhibiting violent shudder. Technical service bulletin has addressed this problem with suggestion to replace another item as well, a caliper assembly but there is no recall on this matter. My wife is scared to drive this on the freeway for fear of the violent shudder. I am surprised at the lack of chrysler to recall this vehicle for this problem. I am simply amazed at the amount of complaints you have received to this date on this matter and yet no response.

Filed Jun 12, 2003 · Brakes · 11,501 miles · CA

I purchased a new 1999 jeep grand cherokee in may 1999. After 11,000 miles this vehicle began shuddering when braking at speeds above 35 MPH. I took the car back to the dealer and the front rotors and pads were replaced under the warranty. At 27,000 miles (nov. 2002) the problem returned . This time the warranty has expired. The dealer said they would provide the parts at no charge but I would have to pay for the labor to replace the rotors. The dealer assured me that this would be the long term solution to the brake/shudder problem. Yesterday, seven months and 5,000 miles later it took the car back in for the same braking problem. This time, I have to pay for the labor to have the calipers replaced and warped rotors. I am finding that this brake problem with jeep grand cherokees is not isolated to my car. The dealer acknowledges that there are "problems" with the brakes for this year and model. Chrysler/jeep should be forced to recall the 1999 grand cherokees and permanently fix this flawed braking system.

Filed Aug 6, 2002 · Brakes · TX

Problems with brakes and rotors since purchase of jeep in 1999. Car has been in for work on brakes due to shake and shudder when brake is applied at speeds over 45 MPH. Car has long history of replacing brake pads and warped rotors. Jeep does not want to help us solve this on going problem with this jeep. We had jeep in for service july, 2002, again was told that the rotors are warped and need to be replaced. I have called jeep corp. About this problem but they have passed the buck back to the service manager at the dealership. I have been waiting to be contacted but believe that jeep is hiding from the rotor problems and does not care about the customer.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Brakes, Suspension · PA

Vehicle continues to pull right after 2 alignments. Random, loud mechanical clunk coming from right underside when going over small bumps or drop-offs. Brake pedal shudders again after having rotors replaced first, then more recently lapped via on-vehicle lathe. Steering ticks / clunks at random. Moan from under hood when turning at slow speeds. Acrid white smoke from under left hood getting into passenger compartment when spinning 4-wheels in snow.

Filed Mar 1, 2002 · Transmission · CA

When new ...front shudder-transfer case seal leaks...repair 4 times-transfer case whine and grind...dealer checked and reported no trouble found several times...finally failed after warranty at my cost of $1700 to repair-rear end repaired 4 times and problem turned out to be friction modifiers in quadra drive system-front rotors turned twice at my expense.

Filed Feb 13, 2002 · Brakes · NJ

Brake assembly overheats causing warpage of rotors and subsequent steering shudder . Rotors are warping every 10,000 miles. Dealer has tried to correct problem with one replacement and three machining applications, two concurrent. Dealer has admitted this has been a constant problem in grand cherokees and has refunded money for last two brake refacings, but cannot guarantee the problem will not persist. Chrysler has not been helpful or sent technical representative to investigate. I believe this is beyond the ability of the service department to solve. I feel this is a safety issue because the shudder becomes violent at highway speeds when braking and vehicle could loose directional stability . This is only one of many faults with this vehicle (others the dealer has corrected, to their credit).

Filed May 11, 2001 · Brakes · NJ

Brake pedal was shuddering/pulsating at any speed when brakes were applied. Dealership informed consumer that front/ left and right brake rotors were warped with 24,000 miles on them. Please provide any additional information/attachments.