Jeep Cherokee 2002-05 models

[Jimmyb]

The Jeep Cherokee KJ was introduced in the 2002 model year as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee XJ.

In Australia we are seeing more and more of these vehicles on the roads and on the trails. Lets see how safe they are?



The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Liberty in two 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. In the first test, the airbag deployed late because an airbag sensor wire shorted out early in the crash.

This lead DaimlerChrysler to develop a fix for this problem by shielding the wiring, and the manufacturer has initiated a recall.

The Institute tested a second Liberty with the fix and the airbag inflated much earlier. Ratings of the Liberty are based on the results of the second test, except structural performance is based on both tests.



Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled in the second test. The dummy's head leaned out the open side window during rebound, then it hit the window frame.

Injury measures — In the second test, measures taken from the chest indicate low risk of injuries to this body region in a crash of this severity.

Forces on the head and neck indicate that injuries to the head and neck would be possible. Forces on the left tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible. Head acceleration from the window frame hit was negligible.

Our thoughts:

The KJ Cherokee is more designed as a Urban vehicle, that said a lot of car charastics have gone into the design of this vehicle. The front independant suspension has a great deal of low components, which he have witnessed expensive damage to in smaller accidents.

As with any new car though, insurance is the main key!

Information based from www.hwysafety.org

[kuryos]

I read with interest the thoughts on the KJ. Traded my XJ after 285,000 km for a 2002 KJ ,had it a month hit a gutter while adjusting the stupid front window why is the front the bottom button and in the middle ,I was travelling at about 15 km . Through a tyre bent the rim bent a ball joint ,I have waited a month to get fixed because Chrysler jeep in Australia dont have basic front end parts and had to source control arm from singapore ,not impressed . I loved my XJ but ,the KJ is great around town but as an all rounder I have my doubts . The KJ failed the gutter test ,not sure I want to take it bush or to the beach, once you lose faith in your vehicle the relationship is lacking the trust needed to do the Jeep thing ,that the XJ did with ease ): will I get over this dilema ,will I love my KJ in time.( thank goodness my insurance covered the left front rebuild hate to think the cost ,must say though I am glad those low hanging bits are cast not pressed steel otherwise the damage would have been a lot worse.)

KURYOS (by name and nature)

[salesguy]

NHTSA gave the 2002 KJ a Five Star safety rating for frontal and side protection.
KJ is generally regarded as the safest, strongest 4x4 in its price range.

[Dan96XJ]

Are the side curtain airbags (esp rear ones) safe for infants or young children?

Someone was telling me that rear airbags have been banned for infants? What the?

[Jimmyb]

Well you look at the warnings on the dash of most cars and they indicate not to have infants in the front seat due to airbags going off.

[Breyten]

Yeah... ever been hit by an airbag? They are not soft.
Kinda like being hit across the head with training pads.

[Dan96XJ]

yeah but what about the back...whats the point of having them in "family" cars if they are more hazardous?