1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee: whining or grinding noise

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · CA

I bought a 1999 grand cherokee 4x2 with 55000 miles and now it has 93000 and I have noticed a buzz from the rear that has progressed to a howl or whine. I took it to a local shop and I was told that I need it a complete overhaul of the rear axle and that it would cost me anywhere from $1300 to $1600 to have it done and that most likely it would happen again because even the new ones fail too. I know I am not the only one having this problem since I did a little bit of research and found that other people with even less miles on their jeeps are having this problem too. How can a car with less than 100 thousand miles or less has this kind of problems? How come there is not a recall on this matter? Why are we not holding chrysler company responsible for this? Is there anything that I can do to have the dealer fix their mistakes? Thank you.

Filed Nov 15, 2003 · Transmission · IL

Transfer case issues on 1999 jeep grand cherokee. Since I have had the jeep I have had to replace the seals on the transfer case multiple times. To me it appears that there is some sort of defect in its design. The seal will start to leak which causes the transfer case to lock up. This causes a loud thudding noise and the car to jerk when coming to a stop. Also, in situations where the car is cold it will not shift correctly causing excessive engine whining and inability to accelerate correctly.

Filed Jul 9, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · VA

Problems with failing axles and transmission. *mr the consumer felt the manufacturer should fix the outstanding problems with axles and transmission and give a warranty for the power train. The vehicle experienced a noise while the vehicle was in motion. Also the window lift leaked, the rear absorbers, the rear passenger window leaked air, the seat belt mounting bolts, fire hazard on the manifold debris shield, brake pedal pulsated wildly(front rotors turned), the passenger window had stuck shut, the exterior mirror had broken off, and the transmission slammed into reverse. There was a buzz in the rear which had progressed to a howl. Refer to odi# 10029353 *scc

Filed Jul 9, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · VA

Broken window motor, seat belt mounting bolts, leaking rear shock absorbers, etc...*mr the consumer felt jeep should fix the outstanding problems with the axles and the transmission and give a warranty for the power train. The vehicle experienced a noise while in motion. Also the broken window lift leaked, the rear absorbers failed, the rear passenger window leaked air, the seat belt mounting bolts failed,and a potential fire hazard on the manifold debris shield, the brake pedal pulsated wildly(front were rotors turned), the passenger window had stuck shut, the exterior mirror had broken off, and the transmission slammed into reverse. There was a buzz in the rear which had progressed to a howl. Refer to odi# 10027025 *scc *jb *jb *jb

Filed May 25, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · 49,000 miles · TN

In april of 2002 I purchased a used 1999 jeep grand cherokee from a local dealer because it had only 14000 miles on it. I have had to replace the brake rotors and pads due to vibration 2 times. At 46000 miles I put new tires on this to quiet a noise problem. Now at 65000 miles the noise is extreme coming from drive train. I was told today there is a defect in the ring/pinion gear assemblies used on the 99/00 model year jeeps. But there has yet to be a recall regarding this condition. I am very disappointed in the durability of the product, as it should have lasted far longer than 65000 miles, especially for the amount paid for it! Hopefully chrysler will take responsibility for poor engineering and design quality. But I doubt it. The roaring and howling noise is so loud that you can not hear others talking at road speed, and I am greatly concerned about the safety of the vehicle, but due to the great cost of it, I cannot trade it or afford to repair it because I am on disability!!!!!!!!!!

Filed May 23, 2003 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NV

At highway speeds of 40 to 65mph, I am hearing a whine comming from the undercarriage. I presume it is from the transfer case or the front drive shaft. Would like to know how to resolve this problem. This is my second jeep, and could be my last if I can't resolve this problem.

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Transmission · OK

Clunking and groaning when shifting; drivetrain whins at deceleration; originally, continuous drivetrain whine and loud harmonic drone at speeds over 75 miles per hour - after repairs faint/ continuous clicking noise at approximately 75-83 MPH with continuous drive train whine and loud harmonic drone at speeds of 83 MPH and above. Three trips to dealer for repairs to date (between july 2 and july 26) with each trip lasting approximately one week. Owner has driven vehicle for no more than 7 contiguous days without having to leave with dealership for repairs and during this "drive time" has had to make numerous trips back to the dealer in order for notification/ negotiation on repairs, diagnosis, actual repairs, etc. Purchase was made contingent upon dealership making full and complete diagnosis and repairs to drivetrain with warranty of all for a one year period; with all costs to dealer. Dealer now is attempting to back out of written agreement - however, negotiations are still being held towards repairs.

Filed Jul 13, 2002 · Body, Seats · NY

Drivers seat breaks loose, door stop cracks, drive line whine over 40 MPH.

Filed Jun 6, 2002 · Transmission · TN

I belive the design/parts/assembly of this entire drivetrain are deffective, resulting in abnormal wear and inevitable premature failure. This, and any other, 1999 jeep grand cherokee exhibit a driveline noise or whine at almost any speed. I do not know exactly what it is, but somethings wrong. The internet is loaded with newsgroup posts from owners that experienced this fault. After many trips to the shop, while still under warranty, the servicing dealer finally explained the noise/whine was prevalent in every car of this model year. I was told chrysler actually had a rating scale in place for the dealers to justify which vehicles they would attempt to repair. My letter to chryslers customer assistance center resulted only in a return phone call with a live with it attitude, which demonstrated their indifference or actually acceptance of this defect. With now over 100k miles, this design flaw has cost well into the thousands of dollars for repairs, not to mention the obvious value loss at the time of trade or resale.

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 Aug 4, 2001 · Transmission · NJ

I have taken my jeep cherokee numerous times to have an engine knock...a whining noise and a banging noise checked out. Everyone except the service people can hear these noises. I was told by a mechanic that used to work for chrysler that they know there is a problem with the engine and the transmission and that they are not acknowledging it. I watched the today show on august 4th and heard about the problems that exist with the transmission on the jeep cherokee and became concerned. I have repeatedly voiced these concerns to the service department and also spoke to a chrysler rep directly in a 3 way conversation. I was told that they would have my complaint on file. The whining and banging noise has now turned into a grinding noise that I am afraid is effecting the power train to the point that it will fail. The service dept. Has replaced (unnecessarily) the shocks,the battery, and the drive shaft,saying that this will remedy the problem. It has not>

Filed Jul 11, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · VA

First, brake related problems: mileage 2341 complaint pulsatting when stopping 20-55 MPH , front brake rotors were resurfaced , complaint 2 mileage 16040 brakes pulsatting when stopping also shimmy in steering 45-55 MPH, front brake rotors were replaced reason warpage due to overheating design flaw? / complaint 3 mileage 17000, brakes pulsatting , vibaration in vehicle and steering wheel shimmy when brake are applied. Have not rportedto dealer at this time will schedule for week of 07/16/01. Secondly, transmission shift problems: started when vehicle was brand new when stopping it felt like someone was hitting you in the rear end. First repair ,mileage 4428 consisted of tsb0300799 and replacement of rear driveshaft,also rear axle carrier and pinion bearings were replaced.second transmission repair mileage 10453 due to harsh shiffting @ 20 MPH and again when stopping it felt like someone ran into the rear of the vehicle, this time the transmission yoke was replaced and another transmission update per tsb21-09-00,also during this service the front driveshaft was replaced due to a howling noise which started around 55-60 MPH, complaint three mileage 10818 vehicle still has whining noise coming from drive train. In addittion, transmission problems continue with harsh shifting at times at 20 MPH and 50-55mph,these shift points worsen as other problems were being corrected,dealer claims that thhis is adaptive memory and their nothing that will be done to correct it. According to casey jeep service manager daimlerchrysler does not see this as a problem only an issue. Fourth complaint mileage 16040 transmission continues to shift hard at times @ 20 MPH and 50-55 MPH. At this time dealer show no concern in correcting this problem . In summary, brake and drive train problems with this vehicle starting at 2341 miles, and they continue be on-going. I now question the safety of this vehicle.