Recalls: Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee
- In October 2002, a recall was issued for model year 1999 to 2002 Jeep WJ and WG Grand Cherokee models manufactured up to 5 March 2002 and fitted with the 4.0-litre petrol engine. For these models, debris and leaf litter could accumulate around the engine intake and exhaust manifold and cause a fire in the engine bay (PRA 2002/5780).
- In December 2002, a recall was issued for model year 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles due to the side airbags potentially not deploying in a side impact as designed, resulting in an increased risk to occupants (PRA 2002/5875).
- In September 2006, a recall was issued for 2003 to 2004 model year Grand Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured after 10 September 2002 and fitted with heated front seats. In these models, a manufacturing fault could cause the front seat heating elements to overheat and possibly ignite (PRA 2006/8742).
- In October 2006, a recall was issued for model year 2000 to 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee models due to possible fracturing of one or more of the plastic fan blades. This could lead to the engine overheating, posing a danger to anyone nearby with the bonnet open (PRA 2006/8816).
- In December 2009, a recall was issued for 2001 to 2004 model year Grand Cherokee vehicles which had Safety Recall F17 (PRA 2006/8742, above) performed or had the front seat heater elements serviced with the F17 recall repair kit or single seat repair kit. In these models, the front seat heating element could overheat and cause interior damage or injury in certain conditions (PRA 2009/11311).
- In January 2013, a recall was issued for Jeep WJ and WG Grand Cherokees that were manufactured between 2002 and 2004. In these vehicles, a component in the airbag control module could fail and cause the front airbags, side curtain airbags and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently. To fix, a supplemental jumper harness was to be installed in the airbag control module (PRA 2013/13446).
- In February 2015, a recall was issue for WJ and WG Grand Cherokees that were manufactured between 2002 and 2004. In these vehicles, a defect in the occupant restraint control (ORC) module could cause inadvertent deployment of a front airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioner – this could pose an accident hazard (PRA 2015/14548).
- In November 2015, a recall was issued for 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles because the airbag system occupant restraint control (ORC) module may cause inadvertent deployment of the front airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioner, posing a hazard to vehicle occupants (PRA 2015/15072).
Problems and faults: Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Jeep WJ/WG Grand Cherokee 4.0L: rough idle and misfire
In September 2003, Technical Service Bulletin 18-031-03 was issued for 1999-04 Jeep WJ/WG Grand Cherokee vehicles with 4.0L engines due to rough engine idling on restart when the engine was already warm. The rough idle may occur for 20 to 30 seconds after restart and be most noticeable when the engine is restarted following a prior 10 to 20 minute heat soak in hot ambient conditions of around 30 degrees Celsius or higher. Furthermore, the rough idle may be consistent with short city stop-and-go driving trips and could be aggravated by the use of petrol with a high ethanol content. In certain conditions, the Malfunction Indiciator Light (MIL) may illuminate and issue the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0303: Cylinder #3 Misfire.
The rough idle could be caused by heat from the exhaust manifold that – after engine shut down – migrated to the area around injector #3 and caused fuel vapour to form within the injector. This, in turn, may cause a mometary misfire of cylinder #3 until the fuel vapour is cleared. To fix, the technical service bulletin described the fitment of a fuel injector insulation sleeve which lowered the temperature of injector #3 such that fuel would not normally vaporise.
Problems and faults: Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee
- If the engine misfires or provides reduced performance when the air conditioning is on, the powertrain control module may need to be reprogrammed.
- The engine may be hard to start due to an internal leak or bits of plastic wedged inside the fuel-pump assembly. If so, a new sealing ring or complete pump assembly may be required.
- Long cranking times and low fuel pressure may be due to a bad check valve in the fuel pump assembly.
- Popping or snapping noises from the front of the vehicle may require the front driveshaft to be replaced.
- A whining noise may from the rear of the vehicle when traveling at speeds above 60 km/h may require the rear driveshaft to be replaced.
- For some models, the caster alignment did not meet specifications and the steering wheel tended to pull to one side. To fix, offset ball joints which allow for adjustments to caster, camber and toe.
- The fuel tank may be slow to fill – with the nozzle clicking off – due to a problem with the filler pipe.
- Lubricant may leak from the rear differential – particularly after driving at highway speeds – due to oil coming out of the vent; this may be fixed by installing an accumulator on the vent line.
