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Cheap Jeep Piece of...

by Charles
(Houston)

2001 Jeep Cherokee (File Photo)

2001 Jeep Cherokee (File Photo)

Yes I said cheap as in cheap piece of crap.

I previously owned two Toyota Pickups, both went above and beyond. I thought I would give Jeep a try. Big mistake. I bought my Jeep Cherokee brand new, and what a let down. A Jeep begins to fall apart once it leaves the assembly line. I bought the basic model, manual transmission and no bells or whistles. Had I gotten bells and whistles, I'm sure now that it would have been just something else to go wrong.

I am religious about oil changes every 3000 miles, and routine maintenance. I have about 150,000 miles on it and the following is a list of problems I've had with my piece of Jeep crap.

1. At three years old, air conditioner failed. Service sucked. Even though I purchased 5 year warranty, I had to fight with the dealership to fix it. Did not want to give me a rental car as provided by the warranty. I had to take it back twice within a two week period to get it fixed. Basically, I spent almost two weeks camped out in their lobby and had to stay on their a** to get it done. The repair lasted about two years and broke again after the warranty expired. Up to this point, not including the warranty work, I have replaced the compressor three times, and on the third time, the whole a/c system.

2. Gauge cluster problems. Kept getting "no bu5" signal which indicates a problem with the computer communication with the gauges. Whenever this happens, the speedometer and odometers also stop working.

3. Electrical problems. Turn signals. Had to replace parts twice. Extremely hard to get to. Had to take them to a shop.

4. Freeze plugs cracked. Temperature light came on. Had to get that fixed.

5. Went to replace battery cables. Guess what? They have it set up


where you damn near have to order the whole harness. At the time, you could only get it from the dealership.

6. The struts that hold up the rear hatch wear out and the hatch does not stay up.

7. My Cherokee barely has enough pickup to get on the freeway in traffic. If your in hill country, forget it.

8. The driver seat has broke and shifts as I drive.

If you ever perform repairs yourself, look at how they put together this piece of crap. It is obvious that in engineering and assembly Chrysler took the path of least resistance. Where something should have been bolted, there is a clamp or plastic fastener. Basically, they are put together with spit and paper.

I will never buy a Jeep or Chrysler product again. I am not surprised they are bankrupt. I hope the company completely folds.


Larry's Comment: You didn't say what year your Cherokee was Charles. Nevertheless, it's no fun having problems with ANY vehicle. Auto engineers and manufacturers owe the customer the best quality possible for the money spent.

I have heard this same lament and frustration from owners of almost every make of vehicle.

On the other side of the coin, there are so many folks who report having great experiences with Jeeps of all models. Are they perfect? Absolutely not. Nothing made by man is perfect.

I don't know why some people, like yourself Charles, get a real lemon in a particular brand, but you obviously did, and that soured you (pardon the pun) on all Jeeps and Chrysler products. You did manage to squeeze a respectable 150,000 miles out of your Cherokee...but I do understand

Sorry for your bad experience with your Cherokee, and I hope you have better luck with whatever you get next time.

At least you can't say we are not "fair and balanced" on this obviously pro-Jeep website.

Comments for
Cheap Jeep Piece of...

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Piece of crap!
by: Anonymous

Sorry but as far as any model built after about 1980 I would have to agree, JUNK!. I Love Jeeps, Currently own 3, 47 Willys CJ2, J-10 truck and 69 DJ5. I did have a 77 CJ5 which was a very good vehicle.

I had a 1997 Grand Cherokee, can you say Junk! It was a fight to get anything fixed by the dealer under warranty. Always something breaking. My wife drove it and it was never off road. At one point I had to replace the complete front brakes and from an engineering standpoint it was sub-standard. Whenever I now see a new Jeep, I refer to them as Barbie Jeeps.

I also have a 72 Toyota FJ40. This is how a off road vehicle should be built! It still has the original clutch. It just will not break. I will never ever purchase a new Chrysler or Jeep vehicle.

What use is a warranty if they will not honor it?

Begging to Differ
by: Tim

Sorry, but I think you are both wrong. We have owned a total of 4 Jeeps since 1993. They were 1986 and 1990 XJs, 1994 Grand Cherokee, and a 2005 Grand with a Hemi. Best vehicles ever. If Jeep ever builds a pickup, that will be next. Lets see Toyota ever build a good truck, right, it ain't gonna happen, 'cause Americans build trucks. Japanese build lightweight economy cars. I would be embarassed to bring a Toyota off-road. We also rented a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and took it on trails, AMAZING. Never even showed signs of getting stuck. If not Jeep, Hummer. If not Hummer, Ford and Chevy. Never a Jap-built car or truck.

Glad owner
by: Anonymous

I own a 99 Grand Cherokee, and have had it for 3 yrs. Has 4.0L engine 4x4, and I love it. It has never let me down.

I live in Michigan where winters can be rough, and in the area where I live A LOT of snow and ice. It goes through snow very well and handles nice on dry pavement.

No off roading, but would put up against ANY TOYOTA OR HONDA OFF ROAD. Not a challenge just saying I have that much trust in it to say that.

It is an automatic and can select part-time or full-time four wheel drive. In my opinion the 4.0L is the best 6-cylinder engine Chrysler could make. Will miss that engine as they no longer make it.

There are minor things that need to be repaired but nothing major as of yet. Have heard from other owners a/c has some problems. Am glad I have it.

Your bias is showing
by: Anonymous

The assumption that imported (assembly or engineering) is better shows blatantly in your post. I think you just want to whine about your self-created "problems."

I looked at several Toyota pickups before buying my current Cherokee XJ. I gave up when the seller declared "Toyotas run forever; I just put a new engine in this one!"

My Cherokee is going on 300,000 miles with the ORIGINAL engine, no problems with it.

missed point
by: Anonymous

You seem to have missed the point I was making. When I said minor it means minor repairs, which since have all been fixed.

I really don't think you know what whining is. Having a bad day? Like I said I trust my Jeep and being ASE certified helps, and working on different kinds of vehicles for 15 yrs. also helps.

Really should learn how to read things, OR maybe its just me. Anyway love my Jeep. Everyone have a nice day.

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