2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 5, 2016 · Seats · 210,000 miles · AL

Takata recall the seats stopped heating and got really hot in one spot I pulled the seat cover up and it burned a spot in me seat cover and foam underneath where the wire is run thru the seats it is on both the driver side and passenger side seats there is a recall on the heated seats on some models but not on mine but it could have burned me or my kids or could have caught the car on fire.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Seats · 105,200 miles · ND

Takata recall, was driving to work on a highway in minot nd, started to smell smoke and something hot smelling, then my right drivers leg was getting hot. I looked down and my drivers seat was smoking underneath. Hurried to stop along the side of road, turned off seat warmer button, then opened the drivers door to clear the smoke and cool under the seat. Reported this to chrysler, they stated my VIN # was not on the recall list. If it caught fire--it sound be on list by now. This could be very dangerous driving down the highway if the passenger side does the same thing as drivers side did. Vin# [xxx] the campaign # 09v117000 also as of today I have received recalls on airbag and engine fan--called them last year to order in minot--they state they haven't gotten yet. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 126,000 miles · MO · fire

The vehicle caught fire while it was being driven down the road, it was pulled over to side of the road in a driveway. Fire came from under the dash on the passengers side, and the vehicle was completely consumed by fire in approximately 10 minutes. I reported it to chrysler and they stated because of the amount miles on it they weren't responsible! Updated 09/25/15*lj updated 12/08/2017

Filed Feb 5, 2013 · Visibility · 184,893 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that the wiring for the air conditioning unit and the heater coil resistor overheated and burned. There was a constant smell of burning heat through the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised that there were no recalls and the resistor and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 184,893.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Electrical · LA · fire

March of 2009, I told my daughters dad the electrical system were not working right. It started with the electrical door locks that work on and off for days. He came over to switch cars because I didn't feel safe in it. With in two days of him driving it, on his way home from work that night the car caught a fire. I was still making payments on a car I no longer had. I couldn't afford to continued payment and buy another car. So I try to purchase online and was scam out of $2000.00 that august. I were put in credit bureau for it and had to make arrangements to pay it off. I received a recall notice today about the orc computer chips. That can deploy causing injury and you to crash. I called the number to express my concern, the person that answer had no compassion. He first up dated my info and once he learned the car caught on fire he had nothing else to say, other then oh you no longer have the car, he got quite and said thank you for calling. Good bye

Filed Nov 22, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · 102,875 miles · MN

2002 jeep grand cherokee limited (wj), electrical wires melting at blower motor controller (resistor block) for heater /AC interior fan. Fire hazard as this circuit is hot even when the vehicle is off. Poor contact between the wire female spade connector and the blower motor controller male spade terminal caused excessive heat which resulted in the wires being charred and the blower motor controller housing melting. Device is located under the dashboard on the passenger side. I am ordering a harness and heater resistor to remedy this manufacturer defect. While my car did not catch on fire, this is clearly a fire hazard that should be addressed by the manufacturer.

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Fuel system · PA

I have read the recent news on the investigation into the grand cherokee gas tanks. Both my wife and I own them. I have a 2001 and she has a 2002. I am very concerned over this as we both use these cars to take our daughter places. I worry about their safety. I recently changed the fuel filter on hers and until that time didn't even realize that the fuel tank is where it is or that it is made of plastic. It's apparent to me that they pose a serious risk, especially since one of the bolts on the rear sway bar is less than a quarter inch from the tank and could very easily puncture it in even a minor rear end crash. This is something you cannot ignore. There is obviously a reason they moved the tank after 2004. You have millions of ticking time bombs driving around. This could pose danger to the occupants of the vehicle that rear ends a jeep and to any by standards that try to assist in an accident situation. With the way the spare tire compartment is designed, there are a few holes that are covered with sealant that could act as a passage way for the flames, the sealant in both of our cars is old and brittle so it would offer very little resistance to anything.

Filed Feb 1, 2009 · Seats · 96,000 miles · MI · fire

Approximately mid january, the driver's side heated seat cushion overheated and caught fire. Luckily turning off the switch extinguished the fire. However it left a couple of inch long burn mark in the leather seat cover. We had been noticing "hot spots" in the heating element, and my wife had placed a fleece hood on the seat to sit on. This also received some melting but saved her from any burns. Discussion with family and friends lead to the discovery of a recall involving jeep heated seats. I contacted my local dealership and was informed that my vehicle did not fall under the recall guidelines. Recall was for '03 & '04 models, I have a '02. I asked if they would cover the repairs anyway as the problem was the same, they declined. I then contacted chrysler/jeep by phone. I received the same response from a representative and the supervisor. When I asked about an appeals process they said I had just been through it by talking to the supervisor. My understanding of the '03/'04 recall is that both driver and passenger seats and seat back heating elements would be replaced due to potential failure. I am concerned that just fixing the "broken part" would leave the possibility of this occurring on the other seat also. I have not replaced this as yet. We are just not using the heated seats. I am in the process of checking on various replacement options and prices such as factory parts, replacement with aftermarket parts, etc. I wonder what options are available besides paying for this repair myself?

Filed Jan 4, 2007 · Seats · 80,450 miles · CO · 1 injury

On january 3, 2007, minutes after turning on the passenger side heated seat, it got extremely hot and was unable to be sat on, it produced smoke, and a burning smell was observed. I believe this could have been a fire had it not been turned off quickly. My son was in the passenger seat and he raised his butt from the seat screaming about the heat. I immediately turned the heater off, pulled over, he jumped out of the vehicle, and we waited for some time for the seat to cool down before proceeding onward to school. I am afraid to allow anyone to sit in that seat until it is properly repaired.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Airbags · GA

My 8 year old daughter had a pulmonary appointment. We were leaving the doctor's office, a lot of traffic, I drove on the on ramp to the highway 285 westbound. While driving onto the interstate, my jeep grand cherokee '02, a beep sounded, I looked at the dashboard and the "airbag" light came on and within not even a second, both airbags deployed while I was driving. The steering wheel is destroyed, the dashboard and the front glass. Smell and smoke filled the SUV while I was able to drive the SUV over to the side of the highway. My child was crying from being so scared. I called the dealer that I always used to service my jeep to see if I could drive off the highway. I was afraid being on a busy atlanta highway, a crying 8 year old and smoke coming out of the SUV. They told me no and to call chrysler for tow. I did and they were going to take me to the nearest jeep dealer (roswell, ga) but would be 50 min. Wait. I explained to them that I was on an extreme busy highway, and 8 year old and had to get off this highway now. While talking, a tow truck pulled off in front of me. He spoke to chrysler and arranged for "payment directly from chrysler" and drove us to roswell, ga. The dealer would not give me a rental car. I called my insurance company. I got rental which the dealership called hertz for me and they (hertz) picked my child up and myself and drove us to their shop to get a car. I am now driving a rental and have no ideal who is paying for this. My husband called the manager at the dealership and was told that they could not touch the SUV and someone from chrylser safety looked at the car. I just called chrylser's 1-800 number and told them the incident and wanted a person's name, number and how is this procedure handled. I was told by "lachina" (spelling?) that it was usually 3 business days, no person contact but yet "someone should call me prior to viewing." I asked how my rental situation would be handled and she did not know.

Filed Jun 12, 2006 · Seats · 90,000 miles · VA

Seconds after turning on the driver side heated seat, it got extremely hot and was unable to be sat on, it produced smoke, and a burning smell was observed. The heating element has not worked since. I believe this could have been a fire had it not been turned off quickly.

Filed Feb 18, 2006 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · CO

2002 jeep grand cherokee limited (wj), electrical wires melting at blower motor controller for heater /AC interior fan. Fire hazard as this circuit is hot even when the vehicle is off. Poor contact between the wire female spade connector and the blower motor controller male spade terminal caused excessive heat which resulted in the wires being charred and the blower motor controller housing melting. Device is located under the dashboard on the passenger side. According to dealer, daimler chrysler claims this is not a problem but I experienced it on my vehicle and became alarmed when I read about car fires resulting from this same defect on mycarstats.com. My vehicle serial number is [xxx]. I ordered and replaced the melted blower motor and crimped the female connector tighter to make a tighter connection with the male terminal after being notified by the jeep dealer that this would not be covered and that no tsb existed for this defect. While my car did not catch on fire, this is clearly a fire hazard that should be addressed by the manufacturer. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)