What 1,638 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Srt

The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle rear-ended another Jeep vehicle stopped at the red light; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that there was no brake pedal depressed in attempts to stop, therefore the vehicle was going at full speed. The windshield washer fluid warning light was flashing, and there was smoke coming from the driver's side front end of the vehicle after the crash. The contact stated that the radiator was caved in due to the impact. The contact did not sustain major injuries. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. A police report was filed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. The VIN and the License plate numbers were not available.

NHTSA ODI 11731940

On February 3, Tuesday drove home from work. The battery light came on. I Drove to AutoZone and they placed it on Diagnostic reader. The diagnostic reader said that the battery had no charge. They told me I need a new battery. I replaced the battery. The next morning, I placed the jeep into auto start. So the Jeep can warm up. When I went outside, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the Jeep. I quickly turn off the Jeep and pop the hood. My husband open the hood and can see smoke coming from the alternator. He turned around to turn off his vehicle that was running. I started to video recording the incident and stopped it right away when I started to see flames coming out of the alternator. My husband and I quick action was to grab snow that was next to the Jeep to throw it onto the alternator to put the fire out. It took multiple piles of snow that the husband went and grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed the alternator to extinguish the fire. Once the fire was extinguished. We kept an eye out to make sure everything was good. We left the hood up to cool things down. We called morgan Towing to have the Jeep towed to their location to look at the situation. Morgan Towing picked the jeep up on February 4 Wednesday. They replaced the serpentine belt and the alternator. They called us to let us know the Jeep was done. Picked up the Jeep today, February 5 Thursday. I Drove it literally down the street and I can smell strong odor of smoke along with the battery light came back on. I turned back around and brought it back to Morgan Towing. I called my auto insurance and waiting to hear back from them. I am going to call the Dodge Jeep dealership and see what they have to say if if there’s was any recall on the Jeep. Upon my research so far, I didn’t see no recall but again I’m gonna call the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11716050

The vehicle accelerated on its own unable to control or stop the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11713686

Alternator caught fire

NHTSA ODI 11672100

The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving at 51 MPH, a drunk driver in the opposite direction nearly caused a head-on collision. The contact's nephew veered to the left, but the other driver's vehicle swiped the rear passenger door and rear quarter panel. The vehicle jerked and flipped three times before landing on its roof in a residential yard. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's nephew was unharmed, but the contact's son and a third passenger were injured. The contact's son was transported by ambulance to the hospital with a fractured neck, but the right vertebral artery was unable to be detected. The third passenger was airlifted to the hospital with a fractured sternum and internal bleeding after a plastic piece from the front passenger seat dislodged and struck the third passenger's chest. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

NHTSA ODI 11602422

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that the RPM light and an unknown warning light were illuminated when the crash occurred. The contact stated that when the vehicle lunged forward, the front bumper of the vehicle crashed into the rear bumper of the other vehicle. The contact's vehicle came to a stop once the impact was made and damage was sustained to the front bumper and the rear bumper of the other vehicle. The vehicle was driven to a dealer where the vehicle's front bumper was repaired. The dealer was unable to determine the failure. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The contact stated that the failure recurred while in the driveway. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact also stated that the mechanics informed her that the vehicle's alignment was off and as a result the tires would wear down ina a unusual way. There is also an issue with the key fob that causes the vehicle to think that the key isn't nearby and causes the alarm to go off.

NHTSA ODI 11578982

The contact owned a 2011 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH around a bend in the roadway, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, leaving the road and coming to a complete stop after colliding with a barrier wall. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11576094

I was in a head on accident with a vehicle, then a building. Traveling at approved 55 mph. My airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11533560

My alternator caught fire. Car won’t start.

NHTSA ODI 11529093

me and my girlfriend where driving when out of no where the air bags deploed causing us to crash. there was no warning lights on the car. no one has had a chance to look into this other then me and the research that i have done i did find that there is an open investigation for the airbigs and this jeep was listed as one of the possible affected cars im not sure what i shoud do next that is why im reaching out to you guys

NHTSA ODI 11525601

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 30 MPH she observed that the check battery light had illuminated. The contact stated that his wife had smelled a burning smell and returned to the residence. The contact stated that he started the vehicle and was checking the battery using a volt meter and he noted that it was only showing 12.1 volts. The contact turned the vehicle off and was returning tools to his workshop when he noted a burning smell. The contact opened the hood and observed a stream of white smoke emitted from the alternator and suddenly the alternator had burst into flames. The contact stated that he extinguished the flame using a garden hose and disconnected the battery terminals due to a clicking sound he heard coming from the alternator. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact had removed the alternator and wanted it to be examined. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

NHTSA ODI 11523882

Started vehicle and heard a bad grinding noise. Turned off vehicle, attempted to restart, failed to restart, and checked under hood and the alternator was so hot is was untouchable and smoking, had to disconnect battery to prevent fire. Leaving me stranded.

NHTSA ODI 11430168

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Alternator shorted and/or failed diode causing a fire under the hood. Started the vehicle and heard a strange noise from under the hood. Turned the vehicle off and opened the hood. Upon opening the hood smoke bellowed out. I could see an electrical component inside the alternator glowing red. The component glowed red and smoked until the battery was completely drained. While the vehicle didn't start on fire if it had this could have caused a large amount of damage as at the time of the incident the vehicle was parked inside a airport parking garage. Jeep has a recall for 2012 - 2014 models. The 2011 model year needs to be added to the recall. The failed alternator is available for inspection. Failed Component: Alternator, available for inspection Safety/Risk: Vehicle Fire Problem Confirmed By Dealer: Vehicle still in garage, to be towed 7/26/2021 Component Inspected: No Warnings: Unusual noise

NHTSA ODI 11426392

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space with the foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and crashed into a building. During the crash the air bag deployed and the driver sustained injuries to the head back and neck which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11426120

While driving, an electric fire started in my Jeep due to a vanity lamp short (NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V879000) which is a known issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) recalled certain model year 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured December 3, 2009, to September 1, 2012. "In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after having been remedied for a prior recall for the vanity lamp wiring." I had this recall completed in November of 2017, which was confirmed by the manufacturer during my phone conversation today. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. My safety and others was at extreme risk as I was driving when this fire occurred above my head and I had to quickly pull over and exit my vehicle in a very busy area. There was also melting material dripping from the visor that nearly reached me in the driver's seat, but thankfully I was able to move out of the way and it melted my driver seat instead (as shown in picture). The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected yet by the manufacturer or insurance representatives or any others, it is at the Jeep dealership and I am waiting to hear back from the manufacturer on next steps for the extensive damage before anything is done.

NHTSA ODI 11422233

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 50 MPH WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I PRESSED THE BREAK PEDAL I REALIZED MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORKED THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH NO STOP AT ALL WHEN I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES MY TRUCK STARTED SMOKING FROM FRONT OF ENGINE I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT EXPLODED IN MY FACE ALMOST BURN INSIDE THIS VEHICLE THANK GOD WE MADE IT OUT ALIVE FROM THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO

NHTSA ODI 11414677

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNOCCUPIED, LOCKED, AND THE MOTOR WAS NOT RUNNING, APPARENTLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. I DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL FLAMES, BUT I DID OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR TO FIND THE BOTTOM CUSHION AND MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE DRIVER SEAT MELTED AND CHARRED AND A THICK LAYER OF SOOT ON EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11414521

THE ALTERNATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CATCHING ON FIRE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE AND IN NEED OF AT LEAST A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM, ALTERNATOR, AD BATTERY, ALONG WITH ANY REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS OF WIRES OR PARTS MELTED. IT ALL HAPPENED WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND MILES FROM HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE ON TIME AS WELL AS A FULL VEHICLE INSPECTIION JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS EARLIER. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11407158

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 25 MPH, A VEHICLE DROVE INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO SUSTAINING BACK AND KNEE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. *DT

NHTSA ODI 11400184

THE ROOF ON THE INSIDE OF MY 2011 GRAND JEEP CHEROKEE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A SUN VISOR RECALL (RECALL R71) THE JOHN HIESTER DEALERSHIP IN SANFORD, NC HAD PREVIOUSLY FIXED TWICE. THEIR SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO PAY TO FIX THE ELECTRICAL FIRE DAMAGE BECAUSE IT WASN'T RELATED TO THE RECALL AND WASN'T A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. BASICALLY, THEY IMPLIED THAT I CAUGHT MY OWN VEHICLE ON FIRE & RISKED MY OWN LIFE & THE LIFE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN, WHICH IS CRAZY. SEE DETAILS BELOW: ON OCTOBER 23, 2020, I TOOK MY 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TO THE JOHN HIESTER CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM DEALERSHIP LOCATED ON HAWKINS AVENUE IN SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA, TO HAVE THE SUN VISOR WIRING RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL R71 REPLACED. PER THE ATTACHED INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT SUN VISOR AND INSTALLED WIRE GUIDES AND GRIND RELIEFS. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:45 A.M. ON DECEMBER 9, 2020 (NOT EVEN TWO MONTHS LATER), FROM INSIDE OF THE HOUSE, AS USUAL, I USED THE CAR KEY TO AUTOMATICALLY START MY JEEP THAT WAS STATIONARY (SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY) SO THAT IT COULD WARM UP. WHEN MY GRANDCHILDREN AND I WALKED OUTSIDE TO GET INTO THE JEEP, I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE ON THE INSIDE, SO MUCH SO, THAT I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. UPON OPENING THE JEEP DOOR, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE. WITH THE DOORS OPENED, THE SMOKE FINALLY CLEARED, AND, IN HORROR, I SAW THAT THE ROOF ON THE INSIDE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY BURNED AND PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ROOF HAD BUBBLED FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED THE INCIDENT TO THE RECALL THAT WAS REPAIRED ON OCTOBER 23, 2020 BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, I'D TRIED TO TURN ON THE VISOR LIGHT TO READ SOMETHING AND THE LIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM. I MESSAGED THE JOHN HIESTER DEALERSHIP VIA ONLINE AROUND 7:30 A.M. FROM THERE, MY JEEP WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT STILL REMAINS UNREPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11385239

SUV ENTERED INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET.AND WAS STRUCK ON THE RIGHT FRONT PANEL. I BELIEVE THE CAR SPUN TO THE LEFT AND CLIPPED THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK. SUV CAME TO REST WITH FRONT END AGAINST A TREE. I WAS DOING APPROX 25 MPH. THE TRUCK THAT STRUCK ME APPEARED TO BE GOING A BIT FASTER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN MY NECK.*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11383005

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON LEAVING WORK, SHE HAD NOTICED WHITE SMOKE HAD BEGUN TO EMIT FROM AROUND HER PASSENGER SUN VISOR WHICH HAD THEN LED TO A FIRE. THE CONTACT INITIALLY TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HERSELF; HOWEVER, THE FIRE GREW AFTER EACH ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THAT AUTHORITIES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AT THE SCENE AND WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

NHTSA ODI 11360236

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND LOSS AUTOMOTIVE POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000. *BF*AS - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11341904

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY FROM A SHORT DISTANCE, THERE WAS A ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT OVERFLOWED TO THE ALTERNATOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (VISION AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LOCATED AT 920 PANORAMA TRAIL S , ROCHESTER, NY 14625) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM FAILED CAUSING THE COOLANT TO OVERHEAT AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, THE DRAIN TUBE AND THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINEERING OF THE DRAIN TUBE FOR THE COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK WAS DESIGNED TO BE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ALTERNATOR AND IF THE COOLANT OVERFLOWS IT WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRIC ALTERNATOR CAUSING A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF HE WOULD HAVE DROVE A LONG DISTANCE HIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALL NHTSA AND GET A SERVICE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

NHTSA ODI 11339819

WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT WON'T TURN ON COMPLETELY WHEN YOU START YOU CAN HER A NOISE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AREA THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS I COMPLETE PARKED AND WANTED TO STARTED WOULDN'T START AFTER A COUPLE TRIES WOULD START WITHOUT AN ISSUE, BUT TODAY I HAVE TRIED WHAT I USED TO DO AND WON'T START, I'VE HEARD OF A RECALL ON THIS SPECIFIC YEAR BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THE MAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330923