On Monday, February 15, 2010, we were returning from a trip to Chicago to visit the Shedd Aquarium. At approximately 10:00PM, on eastbound I-94 between Michigan mile markers 57 and 58, we encountered black ice while attempting to slow down in response to traffic in front of us, which apparently was slowing for an accident up ahead. The Jeep fishtailed, then spun around 180 degrees and went off to the side of the road backwards and at an angle. It apparently hit a berm along the highway, which caused it to roll over. After at least 2 flips, it landed on its passenger side, and skidded along the ground for a distance before coming to a rest about 50 yards from the side of the road. Fortunately, there was a carful of men behind us who saw the crash and stopped immediately to help. Angela and Savannah were on that side of the car. Joshua was suspended by his seat belt behind me on the driver’s side. I was able to climb out of the wreck through the driver’s window, and I then held the rear driver’s side door open for the men who pulled the kids out. Somehow I jumped off the truck, got in the rear hatch, and cleared the way for Angela to walk out of the truck through the back.
The Jeep protected us well. The approximate speed at the time the fishtailing started was roughly 65-70MPH. The roof maintained most of its integrity, crushing down on the passenger side approximately 2 – 3″. Although Angela was sore and bruised from the seat belt and suffered a minor yet painful tear in the soft tissue in her shoulder, the kids and I barely had a scratch and only minor bruising which appeared days later.
The Jeep, however, gave up its life to protect us. The roof suffered major damage, of course, as did the doors on the passenger side, the driver’s side rear quarter panel, driver’s door, and hood. Surprisingly, none of the glass broke, although the passenger side door headers peeled away from the roof, allowing mud to accumulate in the car as it slid on its side. The engine and transmission were both damaged in the accident somehow and were leaking fluids several days later when inspected by the insurance adjuster. After they found $11,000 worth of damage, they threw in the towel and wrote it off as a total loss, buying it from me for $14,800 plus tax and title fees, which paid off the loan and left us with $8000 to put a down payment on a replacement vehicle.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed driving this truck every time I sat in it and turned the key. However, there were some issues that would have needed attention before too much longer had the accident not happened:
o The exhaust was rusting out and needed replacement. I have never paid to replace an exhaust on any vehicle, so I was surprised to hear the exhaust note change and find a rust hole along a seam in the muffler.
o The heater blend doors started making a clicking sound at times. I understand this was a problem endemic to WJ Grand Cherokees with automatic climate control systems.
o There was a water leak in the spare tire well. I never found the source.
o There was the aforementioned braking noise. I believe the front rotors were probably warped and needed machining, but I’m not sure.
o There was a gear whine in the rear axle. It might have just been a byproduct of the locking (Varilok) axles, or it might have been a slightly misadjusted pinion gear. Not sure.
o There was a ringing sound which I associated with the transmission during cold weather operation before it fully came up to temperature. It may or may not have been a transmission noise, but it definitely varied with vehicle speed. This wasn’t an everyday occurrence, but it got my attention when it happened.
If I had to sum up the ownership experience with this Jeep in a few lines, here’s what I would say:
Pros:
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- Unstoppable 4 wheel drive
- Excellent acceleration
- Great for light-to-moderate duty towing
- Luxurious, comfortable interior for front passengers
- Excellent retention of value
- Excellent accident performance
- Fun to drive
- Great stereo system
- Overall vehicle design
Cons
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- Poor fuel economy.
- Poor air circulation in the rear seat area
- Noisy drivetrain
- Minor quality issues (failure of the oil pressure sending unit, failure of the pedal adjustment switch).
- Premature rust-out of exhaust components
- Premature rust-out of door trim moldings
- Premature rust along lower door skin pinch welds
- Premature failure of driver’s door detent
Although the list of “cons” is significant, it is by far outweighed by the list of “pros” in my opinion. That’s why we replaced our WJ with a 2007 WK today.
