2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Brakes · 118,487 miles · TX

I own gene's automotive repair. I have been repairing vehicles for over 40 years. My customer brought in his 2001 jeep grand cherokee for a brake check due to squealing. The pads were fine, but I noticed a lot of rusty dust. I was going to remove the caliper anchor pins to grease them and found them seized in the bore. Prior to this, I test drove the jeep and noticed the brakes didn't seem to be slowing as fast as I felt it should. The seized pins are the reason for this because as the pads wear, the pins should slide inward to accommodate the wear. If this problem had continued for an extended period of time, I suspect the anchor pins would eventually bend or shear off under the hydraulic pressure from the caliper. If the angle were to get severe enough, I believe it would seize the piston in the bore. The cause of this is possibly water intrusion past the anchor pin seal. I believe this design is dangerous and should be redesigned.

Filed Nov 16, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 24,000 miles · TX

1. Window regulator faulty: 1st incident occurred 9/2003 at 40,000 mi; driver window fell down due to faulty window regulator. Although warranty had expired, manufacture replaced, charged me $50 deductible. 2nd incident occurred 11/05 at 79,700 mi.; front passing window, it fell down due to faulty window regulator. Dealer stated known problem, as did daimler chrysler, but told me I would have to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. Was told that is what extended warranty is for. (they apparently do not back their product and are not quick to resolve known defects.) 2. 12/2004 transmission problems (clutch ring): car would not go in reverse; shifting rough. Was told known problem and was told I was lucky that it wasn't the whole transmission. Repairs approximately $600. 3. Brake problems: warped rotors/calipers/pads replaced at 24,000. I am currently on 3rd set of brakes (just now have 80,000 mi on car). Last set did not last a year. Premature warping, squeaking brakes, rattling car, steering wheel, just like the other complaints listed at the federal safety agency. Have had a few near accidents due to the shaking. Replaced at my expense except for the 24,000 mi job. 4. Emissions code on check engine light: due to faulty gas cap. Dealer charged me $100 for the diagnostics, and almost 18 for a gas cap. I have never heard of such a think, and feel it is something the mfg should be responsible for since it is an environmental issue. Again, was told I was lucky that it was only a gas cap?? Why should I feel lucky when I spend $28,000 for a car that has known issues with the model and the mfg acts as if they didn't care, and tells me I should pay $2500 for an extended warranty. No, they should fix the known problems. We pay that much under the misconception that they stand by their product. As a result, I have problems with tires wearing out sooner than they should and front end alignment issues.

Filed Aug 2, 2005 · Visibility · 32,485 miles · MO

The event leading to the window regulator braking was use of the window. The regulator failed at 32,485 miles. The window would not stay up. The jeep dealer was able to repair the problem with new parts. I have found while looking through the federal safety agency website that this is yet one more example of chrysler's poor quality components that I can look forward to replacing regularly just as I have had to replace the warped rotors every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Filed May 26, 2005 · Brakes · 11,787 miles · WI

Brake rotors warp approximately every 4,000-5,000 miles. The front brake rotors have been replaced 6 times under warranty and are ready for the 7th. The 1st time they were replaced, the calipers were replaced also under a tsb. Back brake rotors have been replaced twice - once at my cost & once under warranty. Dealer & manufacturer no longer wish to assist in remedying the problem. They seem to think they have replaced them enough times, even though the problem continues to occur. I've seen numerous complaints about this at this website. When is chrysler going to be held accountable for the design defect?

Filed Mar 22, 2005 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · MO

The rotors on my 2001 jeep grand cherokee warped at 12,000 miles. Chrysler replaced the front brake pads, calipers, and rotors. The rotors warped again at 29,000 miles--only 17,000 miles later. During both failures, there was a noticeable pulsating, shaking sensation from the front end when braking at speeds of 30-35 MPH and above. The key event leading up to the failure was use of the brakes--unfortunately the brakes are a very integral component of my jeep--as they are for the many other owners of 2001 jeep grand cherokees who are experiencing this very same failure over and over again. Brakes that don't work or perform the way they are designed and intended to work are a huge safety issue. I implore you to issue a recall since chrysler will do nothing past the 12,000 mile point. Chrysler must be forced to repair these vehicles with quality parts or someone is going to become another vehicle fatality statistic.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · CA

Vehicle vibrated/shook severely when braking from 40 MPH or more. Consumer stated the front rotors warped, and /or out of round every 10,000 miles. Dealer was notified.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · CA

Front brake rotor warpage. Font rotors became so warped that causing pulsation in the steering wheel almost resulting in loss of control. I contacted chrysler dealership, and they said there was nothing wrong with them. There is a service bulletin where they replace the calipers, rotors etc under warrenty provisions. Why was there a redesign of the brakes if there was not an design issue with them in the first place. And why are they covered under warrenty and not under a safety recall. If the brakes are involved is that not a "safety" issue. It is nice to be able to stop when needed.

Filed Oct 8, 2004 · Brakes · 4,500 miles · KS

Dec 01 (4882 miles) vibration when braking at highway speeds, difficulty steering upon braking, warped rotors. March 03 (about 15000 miles) same problem, warped rotors fixed in july 03. Feb 04 (about 22000 miles) same problem, daimler chrysler will not fix. Warranty is almost over, july 14 2004, spoke to manager, he stated that daimler chrysler will not fix problem. It is dangerous for highway speeds as there is vibration and steering difficulty upon braking.

Filed Sep 17, 2004 · Brakes · TX

First noticed condition about month or so. Vibrations when slowing down from above 50 MPH speed. I thought maybe alignment problem. Last week the vibration became very bad, the steering wheel vibrated as well as the front end of the car. Hard to control the car. Seemed there was pulling to the right also. (the car has 36000+ mi. It's a 2001 gc jeep. ) took the car to a goodyear dealer who said it was warped rotors. They made front brake disc pad replacement, resurfaced left & right front rotor as well as rear ones. The dealer mention this can happen on these vehicles when the rotors/brakes get wet. Well, dah! What happens when it's raining and your running through puddles of water. How often is this going to happen with this vehicle? It is not covered by warranty which is specifically mentioned in the maintanence booklet. Sounds to me to be a common problem with this vehicle.

Filed Jul 29, 2004 · Brakes · PA

Original incident april 03. Front brake system replaced. Service bulletin at dealership was issued. Vehicle was under warranty. Approx 34,000 miles on jeep. July 27, 2004, 5,100 miles after repaired and problem thought corrected, vehical began pulsating. Dealership adv rotors warped and would not cover it since it is now out of warranty.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · KS

Rotors warped between 16000 - 18000 miles. Dealer davis-moore replaced front rotors, calipers and pads. Resurfaced rear rotors and replaced rear pads. No charge. Rotors warped again at 34k miles. This time dealer charged me $170 to turn all four rotors. I complained about the longevity of the rotors and that the turning is not a permanant fix. There is a material or system problem with the brakes. Please look into. Mv .

Filed Apr 30, 2004 · Brakes · LA

I have had a recurring problem with brake rotors warping to which chrysler has not yet repaired the problem. The warping causes vibrations so severe it makes braking a serious problem, especially at high speed coming off of an interstate highway.