Five problems related to rear suspension have been reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1) my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited with 59,000 miles began making an unusual sound while being driven. The sound was constant at all speeds. The vehicle was examined by an independent repair shop, mickey's goodyear of romeoville, IL. 2) the root cause of the noise was detemined to be failure of the axle bearings and differential gear bearings. The failure of this type should not have happened with the low milage of the vehicle. An internet search using google will yield hundreds of complaints by owners of similar make and model. The selling dealer and Chrysler corporation deny that the problem is widespread. I believe that this can be a potentially deadly situation if the failed parts would have caused the rear drivetrain to lockup. 3) the vehicle is currently being worked on to replace both axle shafts and all associated bearings at a replacement cost of approximately $2000. 00 photographs were taken of all failed components. A request to retain all old parts. I have requested 100% reimbursement from Chrysler corporation and I am asking for an investigation to determine how widespread this problem is.
While driving rear end dropped, causing vehicle to be inoperable. Dealer has replaced rear end.
1)"front sway link eliminator bars" both failed after front cv joint replacement causing very poor/dangerous handling. Dealer refuses to consider that prior removal caused damage, says they were rusty. 2) windshield wipers fail while going over bumps. Dealer refuses to cover under warranty. Wants nearly $400 for repair. 3) door locks, dome lights lock and unlock by themselves while vehicle is running or not, causing passangers/keys to be locked inside. Dealer refuses to fix. 4) check engine light comes on and vehicle fails to start, after several minutes vehicle then starts. Dealer refuses to believe there is a problem and won't fix under warranty.
Brakes pulsate causing pulling and steering wheel vibration, replaced pads and rotors, replace all four rotors the second time, scraping noise from rear axle, bad end bearing and cracked skin in rear axle, replaced rear axle gear set.
The rear-end whines between 65-55 mph after letting off the gas pedal. I have had the rear bearings replaced, as well as 2 new rear-end assemblies put into the vehicle. The manufacturer has been notified.