Steering owner reports: Jeep Cherokee years in the records

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 58 MPH. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG, FOOT, ARM, AND SHOULDER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: [XXX] WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,382. *DT *TP 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“I was involved in a single vehicle accident at 5 am on October 5, 2023 on a rural road in Deland, Florida. I was on an unfamiliar road with a sharp curve and as I was trying to slow down the I was unable to slow down or steer the vehicle. It slammed into a cluster of trees and immediately the engine caught fire. I crawled out of the vehicle in pain from the force of the crash and was disoriented. A good Samaritan came to my aide and called the Volusia County Sherriff. I can remember my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude was fully engulfed in very intense flames in less than 8 minutes. It was so intense it set fire to the wooded area. This wasn't the first problem I had with this vehicle. I purchased this vehicle new from a dealer in Bowie, MD in 2019. Since that time I replaced all 4 tires due to numerous flat tires starting around 20K miles. I replaced the battery at less than 25K miles. I had braking issues when going downhill in the Washington DC area which caused me to brake hard. I complained and the dealer said they did an inspection. I also had other auto service companies perform checks. I have most of the service records which have cost me so much. I am a disable Gulf War Veteran on a fixed income. I am now waiting for VIN verification by GEICO because the vehicle burned so hot that the engine block and everything metal (melted). Had I not gotten out so soon I would have burned to death.”

The records describe a possible fatal outcome.

“WHILE JUST BEGINNING TO EXIT A FREEWAY, MY STEERING LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. I HAD NO CONTROL BUT RECALL SEEING A RED LIGHT JUST COMING ON THE DASH (OBVIOUSLY, I COULDN'T ASCERTAIN WHAT THEY LIGHT WAS AT THE TIME AS MY CAR WAS DOING MULTIPLE 360 SPINS DOWN THE EXIT RAMP!) TRY AS I MIGHT, I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFYING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE. AFTER COMING TO REST AGAINST A TRAFFIC SIGN, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT IT WAS AN ALERT FOR MY STEERING THAT HAD COME ON. IT REMAINED ON EVEN AS I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO MY HEAD, BACK, LEGS, WRIST, HIPS, SHOULDER AND HIP. THIS IS A MOST EGREGIOUS FAILURE AND I AM QUITE UNDERSTANDABLY RETICENT TO TRUST ANY VEHICLE WITH THIS COMPONENT. AFTER 1 WEEK, SILENCE IS THE ONLY SOUND I HAVE HEARD FROM EITHER THE DEALER OR CHRYSLER/JEEP. THIS SILENCE IS MOST DISTURBING. NO HELP FOR A RENTAL OR LOANER, AND AS AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, EVEN MY OWN AUTO INSURANCE IS NOT PROVIDING ANY SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE, BUT THANKFULLY HAS STEPPED UP TO HELP WITH THE MEDICAL BILLS.*DT *DT*JB *DT *DT *DT*JB *DT*JB *JB *DT *DT MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO FIX THE STEERING.*JB *TR*JB *DT *TR *DT*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*DT”