NHTSA Complaint #10216791 — 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

VISIBILITY: DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:BLOWER MY HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR ON DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER TAKES A LONG TIME TO BLOW HEAT. AC (AIR CONDITIONING IS ALSO FAILING) RECEIVING THESE CODES: 52...........................AI (RECIRC) DOOR TRAVEL TOO LARGE 54...........................LEFT TEMPERATURE DOOR TRAVEL TOO LARGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE SYSTEM USES A STEPPER MOTOR THAT DETECTS THE EXTENTS OF MOVEMENT BY HITTING A RESISTANCE POINT AT THE OPEN AND CLOSE POINT. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED WITH A SMALL PLASTIC PIN ON THE DOOR CONNECTION PIN THAT BREAKS OVER TIME. WHEN THE PIN BREAKS, THE RESISTANCE POINT OCCURS WHEN THE DOOR HITS THE EXTENTS OF THE OPEN AND CLOSE POSITION. THE DOOR IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS FORCE AND EVENTUALLY THE DOOR ITSELF ACTUALLY BREAKS. PLEASE NOTE WE ARE CURRENTLY IN -3 CELSIUS WEATHER IN MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA. I WILL BE TAKING MY 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE. IF THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I AM LOOKING AT A BILL TO FIX BETWEEN $300-$1500 CANADIAN. AFTER GOING TO DEALERSHIP WITH WARRANTY CLAIM WILL CALL 1-800# AND PROVIDE DETAILS FROM DEALERSHIP VISIT. THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT SINCE COULD AFFECT DEFROSTING OF WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. ALSO VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE WITH NO HEAT (IN WINTER) AND NO AC (IN SUMMER) PLEASE RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT ASAP. THANK YOU I HAVE READ SEVERAL POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT JEEP FROM 1998-2004 ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. UPDATE: I HAVE RECEIVED SERVICE FOR JEEP ON JANUARY 21, 2008 I HAVE PUT IN A COMPLAINT ON JAN. 21/08 REFERENCE # 17140103 ISSUE WAS BLEND DOOR FAULT. THE BLENDER DOOR ON LEFT SIDE WAS MELTED. PARTS REPLACED: 05012743 HOUSING 24-028-025 05134353 HOUSING 24-028-025 TOTAL PARTS AND LABOR $473.27 PLEASE FOLLOWUP WITH CHRYSLER WHY THIS IS A NOT A RECALL. JEEP IS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION. *TR