general problems of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Wiil not not move in reverse. Moves forward in nreutral. Lunges foward when put into park.

Nhtsa recall 02 v 053 000/manufacturer's recall b02 concerning inadvertent movement. Vehicle was parked and idling when inadvertently it jumped out of gear and rolled in reverse. Vehicle rolled over. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted ,and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. Feel free to provide any further information.

Engine rpms drop extremely close to 0 when braking and frquently nears stall. . . And sometimes does stall. I'd have to release the brake in order to prevent car from stalling. This is very dangerous when my intention is to stop or slow the car. The rpm fluctuates wildly between 0 and 600 when stopped at a stop light or in stop and go traffic or slowing down. This is extremely dangerous when coming off of a curved freeway ramp. . . The engine stalls. . . Power to the steering wheel is lost. I've reported this to my Jeep dealer several times and each time, they were unable to fix the problem. Please help. This problem started occurring w/in the first year of my car purchase when there was very little milage on it.

Consumer put gear into park and started to exit vehicle. Vehicle suddenly started rolling backwards, and in an attempt to stop, attempted to apply pressure to brake pedal, but instead consumer's foot applied pressure to accelerator pedal. This resulted in vehicle accelerating backwards, and crashing into another vehicle. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

The Jeep was idling in park when it accellerated in rerverse. I was dropping my children off at school and was standing next to the vehicle at the time. My 16 year old son was retreiving his book pack and baseball equipment from the back of the Jeep. The Jeep accelerated in reverse and pinned him between the Jeep and a Volvo stationwagon behind us. I jumped into the car and pulled forward to release my son. Police and medics were immediately called to the scene. Luckily, my son's injuries were not serious. Damage to the hood of the Volvo amounted to about $1300. After seeing a local news report on similar incidents involving Jeep Grand Cherokees, I believe my Grand Cherokee has experienced a similar failure. The results could have been catastrophic!.

When parked on an incline/engine low overnight, transmission does not engage when shifting from park to drive. If the driver depresses the accelerator, a hard engagement into drive may occur with a sudden and unexpected jump forward of the vehicle. This cause of this problem could not be identified by the dealer. The owner of the vehicle insisted upon complete replacement of the transmission. Dealer has agreed to replace the transmission after the vehicle had been out of service for 30 days.

Purchased vehicle from mccune Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep as a previosly owned vehicle that just finished a lease. On 02/08/2000, while driving home from bowling, the transmission would not upshift causing the engine rpms to climb to 4-5,000 rpm's (continued home, 7 miles). Wife next day 02/09/2000, took kids to school and on the freeway to her mom's house ( a distance of only 5 miles), transmission failed to stay engaged, she crept home at about 5-15 mph. This transmission was serviced every 12-18,000 miles. The last service done was at 70,150 miles, (atf+3, filter&gasket)failure happened at 77,740 miles, I was stunned! I called mccune and asked if there was a recall and if there was anything that they can do, I was given an estimate of $2,200+, and was told there was no recall. I took the Jeep down to a local transmission shop (coronas transmission) and was told that the transmission was "burnt up". Went to get a second opinion at aamco, given estimate of $1800+. I was so disappointed that a "top-of-the-line Jeep Grand Cherokee limited 4x4" failed to perform at such a low mileage. In my disheartened state, on 02/11/2000 I traded my pride and joy (took a heavy loss) for a Ford expedition XLT. As much as I loved my Jeep's styling, performance and luxury, I will never buy another.

At 40000 miles vehicle was at a stop in park, consumer then put vehicle in reverse, and vehicle did not move. Less than a minute later, vehicle suddenly went backward. Gear indicator showed it was in reverse. Dealer suggested consumer might have had vehicle serviced, and wrong transmission fluid was used. Since then, this happened at least 4 more times, also, once vehicle was put in drive from park, and it took about a minute before vehicle lurched forward. Gear selector also showed it was in drive. Dealer could not remedy. Fuel pump assembly and fuel tank was replaced, vehicle would crank, but would not start.

Multiple rear axle problems, each diagnosed by owner prior to failure. (the dealer didn't want to admit there was a problem) this vehicle has averaged one new rear axle every year, including this year which I am waiting on parts. The engine's faulty mass airflow sensor quit operation while driving down the rocky mountains on some switchback roads. The engine abrubtly quit running, causing the vehicle to loose steering and braking control. Only quick thinking by using the parking brake saved the four people in the vehicle from eminent death. The engine reluctantly restarted after a few seconds and we continued down the mountains. However, a few minutes later the engine died without warning for a second time and we were forced to hold the Jeep on the mountainside with the parking brake engaged. I can't believe no one has died from this vehicle! this situation has occured on two separate trips, approximately one year apart, after reprogramming the engine management computer, and replacing the mass airflow sensor and remapping the engine management computer for a second time. For the first two years I owned this vehicle, it was in the shop over 36 times for warranty related repairs. What a piece of junk!( dot number: tire size: p225/65r16 ).

While vehicle was being washed through the automatic car wash and the attendant shifted vehicle from neutral to drive, vehicle accelerated out of control. Vehicle was stopped by using emergency brake.

Vehicle was parked with engine running, emergency brake not applied. Vehicle suddenly went backward, and was stopped by 3 vehicles parked side by side. Damage to vehicle was $ 3000. 00-$ 4000. 00. No injuries.

Vehicle surges.

I think my car should be declared a lemon.

On several occasions, auto-transmission will engage into neutral while in motion. 2) engine accelerates/deaccelerates w/no warning or may stall. Please describe.

The rpms will surge between 0-750 when stopped at a stop sign or in stop and go traffic. This is a safety hazard because if the foot slips off the brake in heavy traffic vehicle stalls.

While vehicle was in park with a boat hooked on back, it took off into reverse without warning ,causing boat to come through back window. Also, causing vehicle to roll backwards into water. Driver had to jump in car and put the car in drive to get control again. Dealer said vehicle was functioning properly at time of incident.