Six problems related to steering linkages have been reported for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
During activation of brake system traveling at any speed there is a pulsation in the brakes, there is a squeaking noise, and vehicle pulls to the right. Dealership has examined vehicle three times, and failed to remedy the problem. Brake rotors and front stabilizer bars have been replaced. Consumer stated there was also a possible oil leak, dealer replaced the tie rod to pitman arm and the real pinion seal, also the steering dampner assembly was replaced,and the engine surges at times sometimes hesitates, also there was a leak behind the driver/rear floorboard.
Vehicle would vibrate severely when applying brakes at 35-40 mph, and more severely at higher speeds. Vehicle has been to the dealer on eleven occasions, and the problem has reoccurring. The engine makes noise. There was a clunk noise from drive line to reverse. The vehicle would not hold in park. Consumer stated that both inner and outer tie rod failed and were replaced. While driving at 85 mph the vehicle makes a growling noise. Transmission makes clunking noise when putting in gear. The steering wheel vibrates while going over pumps due to front brake rotors failure, also the steering shock was replaced.
While driving at 45 mph the center pin within the tie rod gave away and the consumer was able to slow the vehicle down and come to a stop. Dealer can't determine the problem.
Several dealerships have not been able to resolve problem. Front tires are grinding away the interior wall of the wheel wells. Tire is now grinding on steel chasis and beginning to erode itself. Chrysler has no solution after 6-8 visits for repair in 4 months. Mechanics recommend the car not be driven until a solution can be found due to safety reasons. . . In the meantime I have purchased a new vehicle I can not drive and neither the dealership nor Chrysler will replace the defective vehicle. ( dot number: tire size: 245/70/r16 ).
It appears that something in the front end is out of alignment or out of balance, and that has been causing front end components to wear out. The symptoms are steering wheel shaking and rotors that wear/wap at an abnormally high rate, causing brake pulsation. To date the steering column/linkages have been worked on 4 times. The front and rear brakes have been serviced/replaced 8 times. At one point the steering linkages was so loose that any change in the road surface caused a change in vehicle direction.
None of these things have been fixed to date. Dealer was given 2 chances and kept saying they could not see anything. Took to another dealer & they said drive shaft, brakes, pinion & gear, back glass all needed replaced. Would not work on vehicle because of dealer fraud. Bought oct. 1999 new. Had been in service since sept. 1998. Did not want to get involved. No safety defect listed in the summary.