2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee: loss of power steering

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 127,000 miles · CA

Without warning my jeeps engine will shut off. It doesn't matter if it is while stopped or driving it will shut off and not turn back on until about 10 minutes later. When it has shut off it will still turn over and I have power to everything I need but it will not fire up. This happened first on a sunny morning driving in town. I towed it back to my house and could not get any codes. It fired up and I thought it was fine so I kept driving it. At this point about ten minutes down the road in the middle of traffic and while cruising along a busy road it shut off, I had power and the ability to steer but no power steering. Luckily I had a driveway to pull into and I coasted into it. This happens without warning. At this point I have my jeep at the dealer in modesto ca for a diagnostic and they have told me that I need to replace the computer and the wiring harness for 1400 dollars and then they will see if that fixes the problem. Not a guarantee it will fix the problem. This is unacceptable to me as I cannot spend this type of money with the hope that whatever other problem there might be will be more affordable or easier to diagnose. This has to be a problem that is inherent with the jeep itself and a manufacture defect. Not only do I not believe this is my fault as a user of the vehicle but I believe that this has caused an unsafe operating condition and I could have been seriously injured if this had happened on another road such as, a dirt road, mountain road, winding road, in icy or rainy conditions, or on the highway. This has also caused me to not be able to sell this car for any reasonable price, and the price for repair is over a quarter of the blue book of the car. Overall I do not feel safe with this vehicle for the intended purpose it was made for and this needs to be investigated before someone gets killed. Thank you

Filed Jan 4, 2019 · Steering · 88,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. While operating the vehicle, a grinding and humming noise was present from the steering column. Also, the power steering assist suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump and hose were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact indicated that the vehicle was repaired on four separate occasions, but the failure continued. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 37,448 miles · NY

While in motion driving on a busy two way city roadway street, the vehicle lost power, lost brakes, no steering and no electrical while in motion, that endangered my life from a head on collision. Currently no power, the windows are open, the windshield wipers are stuck.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Steering · 125,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tie rod failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 103,576 miles · CO

While driving the vehicle experienced a power loss except for the electrical system. I was unable to control my speed and lost power steering. After 5 seconds, while coasting to a stop, the vehicle resumed full power. Since the first occurrence, it has become more frequent (up to twice a week). In addition, the vehicle will not start randomly and requires a few minutes wait time before a successful start.

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Airbags, Body · 134,648 miles · CT · crash

Purchased and installed 4 new goodyear wranglers in september at town fair tire. While my son was driving at approximately 25 MPH the right front passenger tire came off of the rim causing loss of steering which resulted the vehicle hitting a utility pole and going off road and hitting a stone wall, went to town fair and was asked what do you want us to do about it manager didn't seem to inclined to help us.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Steering · 123,000 miles · AL

When driving at low speeds there is a knocking/grinding when turning the wheel to the left which has became louder and more frequent. Since this began the steering is now loose and pulls as if needing an alignment although this was done approx. Less than 1 yr ago. It has became difficult to keep car straight when driving although I have not experienced a loss of power steering (yet). Possibly related to recall but it doesn't appear my VIN was included. This is a huge safety issue! I have heard several complaints of steering failing while traveling causing wrecks. They should reconsider the range of vehicles included in this recall.

Filed Jan 7, 2012 · Steering · 124,000 miles · NC

Steering losing power when turning right, accompanied by a whine and sounds of pressure loss. No leaks in power steering pressure hoses, no leaks in gear box (gear box was dry), no leaks in any other relevant parts within the steering system. Problem was investigated by aaa and pepboys. Power steering pump replaced and flushed on 6-jan-12. The loss of power steering problem is still persisting, and is worse now with a new pump and clean pump system. Pepboys national research indicates that the problem is within the gearbox, spacer clip moving out of position when turning right cutting off power to the steering system, and moving back into position when turning left restoring power to the steering system. Chrysler has a tsb reported march 4, 2003 for this exact failure. Chrysler claims this vehicle's VIN is not included in the manufacturer's tsb, the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v079000. Case has been opened with chrysler - case #: 21743619. I cannot steer this vehicle at all without the assist of power steering. Extremely concerned with the potential danger of losing power steering while driving causing a crash, flipping, and potential serious injuries or death.

Filed Jun 5, 2011 · Steering · 52,000 miles · NJ

Increased steering effort, steering stuttering/binding- steering is difficult when turning at low speed- occurs all the time. Replaced power steering gear, rebuilt 278414/natl[r].

Filed May 14, 2009 · Airbags, Steering · 62,000 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

After losing power steering vehicle collided with a guard rail. Air bags failed to deploy in the frontal/side collision prior to a head on collision into a median/ditch and a roll over in a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. Vehicle was totaled so nothing was done to repair. Consequences were a totaled vehicle, loss of personal property and severe bodily damage to driver resulting in brain contusions and hematomas, a 7 in gash on forehead and neck surgery to correct two disc that were crushing spinal cord into a "z" shape>

Filed Jun 23, 2006 · Steering · 45,564 miles · CA

Steering became difficult to turn while driving at low speeds. Dealer tested and found that the steering gear came apart internally sending metal fragments throughout the entire power steering system. Dealer found it necessary to replace power steering pump, gear box, radiator fan because it is hydraulically ran through the power steering pump, the return and pressure power steering hoses ect. Dealer repaired at a cost of $2846.53 plus tax. Later I found out there was a recall on the steering gear box however our jeep was not part of the recall due to the VIN # .