NHTSA Complaint #10290670 — 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

2004 JEEP CHEROKEE HAS A PROBLEM WITH CORROSION OF THE RIM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 11, 2009 WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT FORCING HIM AND HIS WIFE OFF THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED, HE LEARNED THAT THE WHEEL RIM ITSELF WAS CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE TIRE ESTABLISHMENT REFUSED TO PUT THE RIM BACK ON THE VEHICLE, CITING THE FACT THAT MOUNTING SURFACE AND SPOKES OF THE WHEEL WERE BADLY CORRODED. THE CONSUMER WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE RIMS WERE SIMILARLY CORRODED AND WERE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, AND IF SUCH CONDITION WERE NOT ADDRESSED SOON IT COULD AND ULTIMATELY WOULD LIKELY CAUSE THE LUGS TO SNAP AND THE WHEELS TO FALL OFF. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES WHICH ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS CAUSED BY A PIECE OF THE WHEEL CHROME COVER WHICH HAD BECOME DELAMINATED FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND WAS RUBBING ON TIE ROD WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. *JB UPDATED 03/04/10.*JB