NHTSA Complaint #759502 — 1996 JEEP CHEROKEE

THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE ADJUSTMENT SLIDE. THIS CAUSES THE SEAT TO TILT BACK WHEN ACCELERATING. THE METAL IS TORN FROM AROUND THE BOLT. THE BOLT IS STILL INTACT. THE UPPER LEFT DOOR HINGE IS ALSO COMING LOOSE FROM THE BODY. THE WELD THAT SECURES THE HINGE TO THE BODY IS FAILING. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER (NOT THE ONE WHO I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM) AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY HE SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. THE FELLOW AT THE BODY SHOP INFORMED ME HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW DOOR HINGE FAILURES. HE EVEN HAD A CHEROKEE IN THE SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE ALSO SAID THE SEAT FAILURE IS NOT UNCOMMON. I FEEL THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE PART OF THE COST OF REPAIR, IF NOT FIX IT AT NO CHARGE. THE SEAT IN PARTICULAR IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF THE OTHER SIDE BREAKS, I'LL BE LAYING DOWN TRYING TO DRIVE!*AK