1997 JEEP CHEROKEE Power Train Problems

VEHICLE HAS HARD STARTS AND FREQUENT HESITATION AND STALLING, AT ALL SPEEDS CITY STREET DRIVING AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, COIL, INSTALLED, YET SYMPTOMS PERSIST. SUDDEN DECELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEE XJ. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. JEEP OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR OWNERS. I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POSSIBLE REMEDIES (FROM MY RESEARCH) INCLUDE MULTIPLE PARTS AND MANY HOURS OF LABOR: O2 SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, PLUGS, WIRES, CAP, ROTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, BALLAST RESISTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, TORQUE CONVERTOR, POWER CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID, ETC. WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO STALL DANGEROUSLY?

Mileage: 195,000

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE DROVE 65 MPH IN THE RAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. RK

Mileage: 80,000

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (VP02YOOO2068) TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE IT. *NM

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Mileage: 164,000

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Mileage: 164,000

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE DRIVER WENT OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BLOW SMOKE. *NLM. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

WHILE IN PARK VEHICAL JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE, CAUSING INJURIES.*AK

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SINCE DECEMBER 2001. CONSUMER WOULD PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. ONCE HE THOUGHT THAT HAD PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND FOUND THAT HE HAD TO JUMP BACK INTO VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS GOING BACKWARD. VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP REPLACING TRANSMISSION.*AK

VEHICLE NEVER OFF ROAD. REPAIR DEALER REPLACED AXLE PART #2011001 FOR A COST OF $1265.00. REPAIR DEALER IS NAPA CHRYSLER, 333 SOSCOL AVE., NAPA, CA 94559, 707-224-3166.

DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AS CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TREES AND BUSHES. *TT

DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AS CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TREES AND BUSHES. *TT

REAR BEARING FAILED, SEALED TRANSMISSION HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS A UNIT.*AK

REAR BEARING FAILED, SEALED TRANSMISSION HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS A UNIT.*AK

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING, AND GEAR SHIFT JUMPED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND TOOK OFF. CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP IT, AND VEHICLE RAN OVER HER LEG. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

GRINDING TICKING SOUND AND GAS LEAKS. DEALER SAID THE TANK WARPED AND THE NOISE CAME FROM READ DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS. WATER LEAKS FROM WINDSHIELD

ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE WHILE IN PARK- LEFT FOR WORK IN A.M., BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO PUT VECHICLE IN PARK ON DIRT ROAD TO GET OUT AND PUT MAIL IN MAILBOX. AFTER TURNING AROUND FROM PUTTING MAIL IN MAILBOX SAW THAT VECHICLE WAS MOVING BACKWARD. *AK

ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE WHILE IN PARK- LEFT FOR WORK IN A.M., BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO PUT VECHICLE IN PARK ON DIRT ROAD TO GET OUT AND PUT MAIL IN MAILBOX. AFTER TURNING AROUND FROM PUTTING MAIL IN MAILBOX SAW THAT VECHICLE WAS MOVING BACKWARD. *AK

TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF PARK AT IDLE AND KNOCKED ME DOWN AND BACKED OVER ME AT SLOW SPEED.*AK

VEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WASN'T POSSIBLE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, AND RPMS WERE RACING FROM 2-3. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE WAS JERKING, VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO LATER DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED REPLACING. *AK CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *SLC

PE 01 021: VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING WHEN ITJUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND RAN BACKWARD INTO A GATE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER INFORMED HIM THERE WAS A TSB OUT TO HELP CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. BEARINGS IN REAR AXLE HAD WORN OUT, ENTIRE REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED . CHRYSLER PAID FOR CLOSE TO HALF OF COST OF REPAIR. *AK *SLC

I THINK THAT THE OVERALL SERVICE OF THE JEEP DEALER REALLY STINKS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

THUMPING HEARD ON ACCELERATION OR ON BUMPY ROAD

THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF HESITATION. I NEED TO HAVE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AND MAYBE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE KEEPS TRYING TO DIE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT INFORMATION THE DEALER NEEDS IN ORDER TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY BOOKLET THESE PARTS ARE WARRANTED.

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE PRESENT IN THE REAR. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR AXLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT BEFORE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, GEARS WERE SLIPPING. A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE, ENGINE QUIT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 25MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DEALER REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AT ANOTHER TIME, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHE STOPPED/LOOKED UNDER CAR, AND NOTICED OIL ON THE BACK WINDOW DUE TO ENGINE ROD BREAKING OFF, PIERCING THREE HOLES IN OIL PAN. NO WARNING AT ALL, AND THEN VEHICLE DIED. *AK

2ND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 01-20-1999 @ APPROX. 53,000 MILES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE MAKES KNOCKING NOISE. *AK

MULTIPLE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

OTHER FAILURES AND STRANDING ALSO INVOLVED WITH THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT INCLUDED IN SUMMARY. *AK

TOTAL COST TO REPAIR TO CONSUMER WAS $1810.36 DEALER "SUPPOSEDLY" STATED THEY WERE PICKING UP HALF OF THE COST AT AN ADDITIONAL $1,200. CONSUMER COSTS INCLUDE TOWING, RENTAL AND "HALF" OF REPAIR. CAN YOU HELP? HAVE OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS?

INITIAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FAILURE 5/98 OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY OVERPASS 680/24 WALNUT CREEK, CA. VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH GAUGE INDICATED FUEL LEVEL ABOVE 1/8 TANK. CREATED HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC BACKUP FOR SEVERAL MILES ON SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE 680 REQUIRING POLICE ASSISTANCE. SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS WITH REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES 3/29/99 AND 8/30/99, CURRENTLY UNRESOLVED. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFFECTED DRIVABILITY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT 8/30/99. BEGAN EXPERIENCING DANGEROUS ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING ABRUPT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PRECEDING ENGINE BUCKING, SEVERE ENGINE SURGING, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER, NEAR STALL AT 35 MPH, RADIO AND POWER WINDOW FAILURE 8/23/99, CREATING HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON ROAD. THE FUEL ASSEMBLY FUSE FAILURE ON 11/1/99 OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON EASTBOUND HIGHWAY 4 IN MARTINEZ NEAR PACHECO BLVD. OFF-RAMP WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. LOSS OF ENGINE, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AT THIS SPEED AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS CREATED POTENTIAL FOR FATAL COLLISION INVOLVING MULTIPLE VEHICLES. VEHICLE AT LEHMER'S DEALERSHIP FROM 11/1/99-11/5/99. DEALERSHIP FAILED TO DUPLICATE, LOCATE, OR REPAIR FAILURE. VEHICLE RELEASED ON 11/5/99. THE SECOND FUEL SYSTEM FUSE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING ON 11/6/99, ON WESTBOUND YGNACIO VALLEY, A SECONDARY 4 LANE ROAD AT 45 MPH SPEED, AGAIN CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. POLICE CALLED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE COLLISIONS WHILE WAITING FOR TOW. DUE TO THESE RECURRING AND UNRESOLVED SERVICE PROBLEMS WE HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. WE REFUSE TO PUT OUR FAMILY OR OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK AND WISH TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AND TO PURSUE RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER UNDER THE LEMON LAW. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH, BUT CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL IT OR TRADE IT IN DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION.

WHILE AT A STAND STILL CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE TRANMISSION COOLING LINES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONTACTED DEALER 20 TIMES AND MFG. 5 TIMES. BOTHE LIVE ON DIFFERENT PLANETS. NO DEFECT STATED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NONE

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TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE GEAR. YH

GEAR SHIFT MODULE FAILED. YH

INCIDENTS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN ABOUT 2-4 INCHES OF SNOW ON CITY STREETS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN A CORNER AT INTERSECTIONS THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND PLOWED THROUGH THE SNOW. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STEERED, AND I HAD TO COME TO A STOP TO AVOID CRASHING INTO CURB. THIS OCCURED VIRTUALLY EVERY TIME I ATTEMPTED RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS IN THE SNOW.

THE CAR JUMPED INTO REVERSE AFTER BEING PUT INTO PARK, THEN RAN OVER THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A TREE BEFORE STOPPING. DRIVER HAS FRACTURED HIP. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS NO PROVISION FOR 2ND GEAR HOLD. THE CONCERN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

VEHICLE HAS NO SECOND GEAR HOLD ON IT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

COMMAND TRAC JUMPS INTO NEUTRAL AT 5 MPH WHILE BRAKING FOR STOP SIGN UPON WET SURFACE, GEAR SHIFT SET IN DRIVE AND 4WD STICK WAS SET IN 4WD.

SEVERE DRIVELINE VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

VECHILE WAS RUNNING IN PARK POSITION, APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER , VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, MOVING EVERY QUICKLY. CONSUMER RAN AFTER VEHICLE, TRIED TO JUMP INTO VEHICLE, FELL DOWN, HIT HEAD, COULD NOT STOP, ENDED UP HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT ALWAYS START IN PARK POSITION, CONSUMER SOMETIMES HAS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO START VEHICLE.

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, INDICATING MALFUNCTION. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS, THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO HESITATE AND LOSE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALERS HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE A SEPARATED DETENT FOR FIRST AND SECOND GEARS, THEY ARE COMBINED IN A 1-2 POSITION. WHEN SHIFTING INTO 1-2 POSITION, VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASES TO 24-28 MPH AND WILL AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR. *AK