2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 144,600 miles · MO

When driving, the steering pulls to the left side fairly hard. Also, when making either right or left turns the result is a very jerky and not smooth. When there is a bump in the road, the steering wheel jerks and turns slightly causing possible dangerous driving conditions. The vehicle is drive-able however there is definitely some cause for concern. Have replaced the suspension with brand new shocks and there seems to be no difference in the steering wheel's response to bumps. Wheels also appear to be in great alignment as well. I have seen where this issue is very common with this make and model and would like to be able to get the issue corrected for a feeling of comfort and safety while driving my vehicle.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crank shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v112000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 19, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · NH

Takata recall while driving my steering wheel is very loose shakes when I use the brake peddle. Pulls me left then jerks be to the right or vise versa. This is very scary. I have kids that depend on me to get them from school bus stop etc I do not feel safe driving my own vehicle I've put 2 sets of new tires on my jeep since february of this year 2017. This happeneds on the highway city street back roads you names it

Filed Sep 3, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 17,800 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 jeep grand cherokee. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted gears automatically and jerked roughly. In addition, the transmission failed and the vehicle lost power. The contact was forced to stop at the middle of the road, turned off and restarted the engine, and coasted to the side of the road. The transmission and check engine lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission; however, a new transmission would not be available until november. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and promised to work with the dealer and provide a rental vehicle. The failure mileage was 17,800.

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Seats · 110,000 miles · CO

Driving with 12 year old daughter in car. Making turn onto highway and driver's seat lurched backwards with loud "pop" sound. Almost lost control of car and scared the daylights out of my daughter. Pulled over and seat is loose of frame. There is a crack in the steel bracket where seat attaches to seat frame. I went online and saw this is a common defect in jeep grand cherokees. Kind of ridiculous that this problem hasn't already been corrected. I have never owned or even heard of a car where it is common for the seat to break from its frame.

Filed Aug 6, 2013 · Acceleration, Body · 113,101 miles · MN · crash

When braking to come to a complete stop, in a mcdonald's drive thru, the car accelerated of its volition and lurched forward. Brake pedal had to be depressed excessively to counter act acceleration.

Filed Mar 21, 2012 · Steering · 60,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 jeep grand cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH over a road bump, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2011 · Transmission · 105,743 miles · GA

Jeep grand cherokee sudden and uncontrolled acceleration: approaching an intersection to stop, I had taken my foot completely off the accelerator and had the brake covered. As the vehicle came to a stop, the engine suddenly surged (5000rpm +) and lurched forward uncontrollably into the intersection. The brakes did not stop it or restrain it. I immediately hit the shift handle into neutral and turned the ignition off in order to regain control. When I put the car in park and restarted the vehicle. It revved, then idled, albeit roughly (idle ranging from 900rmp to 1400rpm). There were no injuries and fortunately there were no other cars in the immediate area... But it did shake me up. If it had happened to a less experienced driver someone may have been badly hurt or killed.

Filed Jul 5, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 101,950 miles · WI · crash

While parallel parking, with my right foot on the brake pedal, I shifted the automatic transmission out of reverse. Immediately the engine rapidly revved up and lurched forward. I pressed more firmly on the brake, causing the car (a 2004 jeep grand cherokee) and motor to pause, then the motor rapidly revved up again, overcoming braking. Horrified, and unable to stop the car, I watched as the car raced into the vehicle ahead of me. Immediately after the impact, the engine returned to normal idle. I then checked the car: cruise control was off, my hands were still gripping the steering wheel in order to provide additional leverage for my foot on the brake pedal, my right foot was still firmly in the middle of the brake pedal and not near the accelerator pedal, and the gear shift lever was in neutral. The vehicle ahead of me sustained damage to its bumper and tailgate. This is the 4th time this has happened with this vehicle, the first two of which were reported to you earlier. In all three earlier cases, I was able to barely avoid an accident, but not this time. As noted earlier, the jeep mechanic was not able to find any causative problem.

Filed Mar 19, 2009 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

My jeep grand cherokee 2004 accelerated when I braked in the parking lot. The jeep accelerated and lurched into a fence and into the yard on the other side, when my foot was on the brake. The car was out of control and stopped when it hit a stump in the yard.

Filed Feb 25, 2009 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · TX

Torque converter wore out or went out causing transmission damage. Noticed vehicle stalled and jerked when trying to accelerate after slowing down and/or stopping. Initial thought vehicle needed a tune-up, but problem existed afterwards. Torque converter warpage caused transmission fluid to leak which lead to damages to transmission. Added transmission fluid at one point , ran well for a while then problem returned. Very expensive to repair.

Filed Aug 23, 2007 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · MI

2004 jeep grand cherokee. While driving at any speed vehicle jerks sometimes worse than others at the same time speedometer and RPM gauge drop and come back on engine light blinks and goes off. Taken it to dealer many times they told me nothing is wrong after three times they replaced computer and sent me on my way but it did not solve the problem and a year later replaced computer again as well as throttle position sensor and still did not fix problem. This is my only vehicle and I need to have the problem resolved.