2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Jun 20, 2007 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · MI

Brake rotor warpage.

Filed Jul 27, 2006 · Brakes · 15,600 miles · OR

I own a 2003 jeep grand cherokee limited with 16,168 miles. My driving pattern for the past year has been within downtown city limits and connecting freeways where speeds over 50 miles per hour are rare due to traffic congestion. On a recent interstate trip when I apply the brakes at speeds above 45 MPH they pulsated and the front end would shake violently each time the brakes were applied. I immediately took the vehicle to a jeep dealer for an inspection. The car had warped front brake rotors. Prior to proceeding with the repair I contacted daimler chrysler to authorize the repair at their cost as the problem is a known design/manufacturing defect affecting 1999 through 2004 grand cherokees. After over an hour on the, phone they authorized replacement rotors as a goodwill repair albeit with the original defective rotor design. I learned from the dealer service rep their service department has replaced the rotors in about four thousand 1999 -2004 model grand cherokees. This is essentially a 100% failure rate. Any abnormal brake operation is a potential safety issue. Stopping distance will be increased by compromised inefficiency of the warped rotor against the disc. From a human factor standpoint the driver is distracted at a critical point in bringing the vehicle to a stop. Instinct may cause the driver to ease off the brakes to reduce the vibration thereby risking a collision or loss of control and veer into opposing traffic. I understand from the dealer there is an after-market fix to the factory rotors. Daimler chrysler should on their own provided an engineering change to existing replacement rotors to correct the heat problem and in the absence of such the federal safety agency should take appropriate action. Has the manufacturer filed an early warning report on the brake pulsation problem? *jb

Filed Feb 9, 2006 · Brakes · 23,382 miles · KY

The front brake rotors became warped and needed to be replaced at only 23000 miles. The rotors warped because of heat build up during braking,and the dealer replaced them with vented rotors to avoid this in the future. Pads and all other brake components were fine. I have learned of several other jeep gr cher owners who experienced the same problem, and I believe that a car of this size should have had vented rotors installed at the time it was assembled.

Filed Dec 11, 2005 · Brakes · 19,737 miles · NJ

When applying the brakes at high speed the vehicle would shake and vibrate violently. At low speeds using the brakes the vehicle would pulsate slowly forward while removing pressure from the brake pedal. The conditions continued to get worse especially the vibrations and shaking at high speed braking. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership at 19,000 (roughly) where they proceeded to tell me that the rotors were severely warped and would need to be replaced along with the pads. I asked why they are warped beyond serviceability and they stated this is a know problem. I wrote to diamlerchrysler as well trying to get some type of refund back after spending $550 on the parts and labor for something that I feel was a quality issue to begin with. They stated rotors warp due to various driving conditions. I disagree, it is poor quality materials being used. They will lose my business over this. The reason I bought a new vehicle was to avoid costly repairs for a few years.

Filed Feb 10, 2005 · Brakes · 26,125 miles · NJ

The front rotors warped. Consumer stated that this will be the second time replacing the front rotors. Also, after 10,000 miles they needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 31, 2004 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · ME

Brake rotors and pads worn out at 22000 miles.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 10,000 miles · AK

When the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle stopped slowly with pulsation. The surging has occurred many times since owning the vehicle. The consumer found that the rotors were out of round. *jb the front rotors warped in the first 10k miles. The dealer suggested that the problem was form the heat from non-asbestos pads. *sc

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · 33,000 miles · MA

I had to have the front brakes replaced and rotors turned at 33,000 miles. Then again, 4,000 miles later the rotors warped and I had to go thru the expense to replace them. I've driven cars over 70,000 miles before I've had to have this type of work performed.

Filed Aug 2, 2004 · Brakes · 21,500 miles · IN

We have a 2003 jeep grand cherokee larado. The brakes had to be replaced at 21,000 miles due to warped rotors. The rotors were turned. By 22,500 miles they again started vibrating the front end. We were on a long trip and by 26,000 miles the front end was shaking violently each time the brakes were applied. The dealer did replace the brakes at no cost and installed new rotors.

Filed Jun 29, 2004 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · MA

Vehicle shakes when breaking over 45 MPH. Dealer has stated warped rotors as the cause. Vehicle has 26,000 miles and rotors were out of warrant at 12,000 miles.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · Brakes · CT

Brake pedal pulsated and the steering wheel vibrated when the pedal was depressed. The pulsation and vibration was worse when the pedal was depressed at highway speeds. Vehicle was uncontrollable. This problem occurred because the brake rotors warped.

Filed Feb 3, 2004 · Brakes · 18,840 miles · MI

Consumer complained about brake rotors problem. Rotors warped after 18,000 miles.