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Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004 problems by year and mileage

2nd generation (WJ)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20267,721 complaints, 4,209 with mileageMethod

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
82,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,707
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 1999

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit614 reports · median 37,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline396 reports · median 60,000 mi
  3. Visibility equipment165 reports · median 90,000 mi

4 recall campaigns name the 1999: Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system; Seat belts — front; Seat belts. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
89,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,528
Recalls naming this year
6

Most reported on the 2000

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit429 reports · median 29,000 mi
  2. Engine and its cooling system193 reports · median 91,000 mi
  3. Seats192 reports · median 115,000 mi

6 recall campaigns name the 2000: Engine and engine cooling — cooling system; Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system; Fuel system, gasoline — storage. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
70,000 mi
Complaints filed
953
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 2001

  1. Visibility equipment266 reports · median 73,000 mi
  2. Hydraulic brake circuit207 reports · median 24,000 mi
  3. Seats142 reports · median 100,000 mi

4 recall campaigns name the 2001: Seats — front assembly; Fuel system, gasoline — fuel injection system; Steering — gear box (other than rack and pinion). Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
75,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,476
Recalls naming this year
10

Most reported on the 2002

  1. Airbag system486 reports · median 125,000 mi
  2. Visibility equipment323 reports · median 69,000 mi
  3. Hydraulic brake circuit153 reports · median 19,000 mi

10 recall campaigns name the 2002: Air bags — frontal; Seats — front assembly; Engine and engine cooling — cooling system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
71,000 mi
Complaints filed
762
Recalls naming this year
4

Most reported on the 2003

  1. Airbag system256 reports · median 112,000 mi
  2. Visibility equipment167 reports · median 60,000 mi
  3. Seats65 reports · median 98,000 mi

4 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Close
Median failure report
62,000 mi
Complaints filed
1,295
Recalls naming this year
8

Most reported on the 2004

  1. Airbag system326 reports · median 120,000 mi
  2. Visibility equipment202 reports · median 51,000 mi
  3. Seats149 reports · median 85,000 mi

8 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — side/window; Air bags — frontal; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2000 reports latest and the 2004 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2000 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.

The short answer

“Is the 1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?”

Median of reported failures
75,000 mi
90% of reports came by
154,000 mi
Reports with mileage
4,209
Recalls
23

Most reported

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit20.8% of complaints · median 22,000 mi
  2. Airbag system16.2% of complaints · median 120,000 mi
  3. Visibility equipment16.2% of complaints · median 68,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 7,721 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the hydraulic brake circuit leads with 20.8% of them, and half of the 4,209 that record an odometer reading came by 75,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 43,000 and 115,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee last?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, half of the 4,209 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 75,000 miles and 90% by 154,000 miles.

488 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 107 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Grand Cherokee reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004 · 4,209 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 200 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004Histogram of 4,209 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 50,000 to 55,000 miles with 200 complaints, 4.8 percent of the total. Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 43,000 and 115,000 miles. A further 107 complaints, 2.5 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 75,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 107 complaints (2.5%), plotted separately
10%
15,054
25%
43,000
Median
75,000
75%
115,000
90%
154,000

Tallest bin: 200 complaints between 50,000 and 55,000 miles. Based on 4,209 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,0001082.6%
5,000–10,0001202.9%
10,000–15,0001674.0%
15,000–20,0001082.6%
20,000–25,000982.3%
25,000–30,000992.4%
30,000–35,0001192.8%
35,000–40,0001162.8%
40,000–45,0001553.7%
45,000–50,0001313.1%
50,000–55,0002004.8%
55,000–60,0001684.0%
60,000–65,0001914.5%
65,000–70,0001423.4%
70,000–75,0001623.8%
75,000–80,0001573.7%
80,000–85,0001543.7%
85,000–90,0001363.2%
90,000–95,0001403.3%
95,000–100,0001263.0%
100,000–105,0001694.0%
105,000–110,000842.0%
110,000–115,000972.3%
115,000–120,000771.8%
120,000–125,0001263.0%
125,000–130,000681.6%
130,000–135,000992.4%
135,000–140,000751.8%
140,000–145,000791.9%
145,000–150,000501.2%
150,000–155,000721.7%
155,000–160,000401.0%
160,000–165,000651.5%
165,000–170,000340.8%
170,000–175,000411.0%
175,000–180,000320.8%
180,000–185,000310.7%
185,000–190,000240.6%
190,000–195,000260.6%
195,000–200,000160.4%
200,000+1072.5%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

Common Grand Cherokee problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Hydraulic brake circuit1,609 reports22,00012,000–45,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 1,609 reports, median 22,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 45,000 miles.
  2. Transmission and driveline814 reports57,00030,000–86,000Transmission and driveline: 814 reports, median 57,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 86,000 miles.
  3. Visibility equipment1,249 reports68,00050,000–90,000Visibility equipment: 1,249 reports, median 68,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 90,000 miles.
  4. Engine and its cooling system623 reports80,00052,000–100,000Engine and its cooling system: 623 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 52,000 to 100,000 miles.
  5. Electrical system542 reports99,00055,000–136,000Electrical system: 542 reports, median 99,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 136,000 miles.
  6. Seats740 reports101,00074,000–135,000Seats: 740 reports, median 101,000 miles, middle half 74,000 to 135,000 miles.
  7. Airbag system1,249 reports120,00086,000–155,000Airbag system: 1,249 reports, median 120,000 miles, middle half 86,000 to 155,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Hydraulic brake circuit1,60920.8%22,00012,000–45,000
Airbag system1,24916.2%120,00086,000–155,000
Visibility equipment1,24916.2%68,00050,000–90,000
Transmission and driveline81410.5%57,00030,000–86,000
Seats7409.6%101,00074,000–135,000
Engine and its cooling system6238.1%80,00052,000–100,000
Electrical system5427.0%99,00055,000–136,000
Throttle and speed control2893.7%60,00034,000–113,000
Steering2833.7%74,00043,000–130,000
Exterior lighting2102.7%90,00056,000–125,000
System by system, in words

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 75,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 20.8% of complaints (1,609 reports, 635 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 22,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 45,000 miles.

The airbag system accounts for 16.2% of complaints (1,249 reports, 460 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 120,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 86,000 and 155,000 miles.

Visibility equipment accounts for 16.2% of complaints (1,249 reports, 934 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.5% of complaints (814 reports, 231 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 86,000 miles.

Seats account for 9.6% of complaints (740 reports, 593 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 101,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 74,000 and 135,000 miles.

The engine and its cooling system accounts for 8.1% of complaints (623 reports, 397 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 100,000 miles.

Known problems with the 1999–2004 Grand Cherokee

Engine (4.7L V8) 1999–2004

Head gasket failure and cracked cylinder heads following overheating; the 4.7L PowerTech has narrow coolant passages and is intolerant of low coolant. Sludge accumulation with extended oil-change intervals damages the rocker/valvetrain.

Body Electrical 1999–2004

Window regulator and door-lock actuator failures; HVAC blend-door actuator failures causing stuck-temperature complaints.

Transmission 1999–2004

45RFE/545RFE solenoid pack and torque-converter complaints producing harsh or delayed engagement.

Before you buy a 1999–2004 Grand Cherokee: the 3-minute check

Generated from 4,209 mileage-tagged complaints, 23 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 23 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  2. Check engine (4.7L V8) on 1999–2004 cars. Head gasket failure and cracked cylinder heads following overheating; the 4.7L PowerTech has narrow coolant passages and is intolerant of low coolant. Sludge accumulation with extended oil-change intervals damages the…
  3. Check body electrical on 1999–2004 cars. Window regulator and door-lock actuator failures; HVAC blend-door actuator failures causing stuck-temperature complaints.
  4. Check transmission on 1999–2004 cars. 45RFE/545RFE solenoid pack and torque-converter complaints producing harsh or delayed engagement.
  5. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 43,000 and 115,000 miles, with a median of 75,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the hydraulic brake circuit and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The hydraulic brake circuit in particular shows a median failure mileage of 22,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Grand Cherokee problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi38% belowAt 90k mi60% belowAt 120k mi77% belowAt 150k mi88% belowAt 200k mi97% below
Hydraulic brake circuit12,000–45,000earlierearlierearlierearlierearlier
Airbag system86,000–155,000laterin windowin windowin windowearlier
Visibility equipment50,000–90,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline30,000–86,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Seats74,000–135,000laterin windowin windowearlierearlier
Engine and its cooling system52,000–100,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system55,000–136,000in windowin windowin windowearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004 · 4,209 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999–2004Of 4,209 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 38 percent below 60,000 miles. 60 percent below 90,000 miles. 77 percent below 120,000 miles. 88 percent below 150,000 miles. 97 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 75,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 38% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 60% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 77% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 88% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 2.5% of reports (107) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

1999–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (23)

NHTSA records 23 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the fuel system (4), the steering (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Oct 2015 · 2004 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004. Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of…

    What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2016. Owners may…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-673 (2015-10-19).

  2. Jan 2015 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003, 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, to May 23 2003, and 2003-2004 Dodge Viper vehicles…

    What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The free fix. Chrysler dealers will replace the air bag control module and side impact sensors as required, free of charge. This recall remedy was applied during earlier recall campaigns of these vehicles under…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-046 (2015-01-28).

  3. Nov 2012 · 2002–2004 · Air BagsInadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured January 9, 2001, through March 28, 2003, and 2002 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 13, 2001, through May 23, 2003. A component in the air…

    What can happen. Inadvertent deployment of the airbags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    The free fix. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall by interim letter in January 2013.…

    NHTSA campaign 12V-527 (2012-11-08).

  4. Apr 2009 · 2001–2004 · SeatsOverheating could potentially cause a fire or injury.

    The defect. Chrysler is recalling 103,409 my 2001-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles with heated seats and with Chrysler recall no. 06V-197 completed (03-04 my) or seat heater elements service replacement (01-02 my). The front seat electric heater elements could overheat.

    What can happen. Overheating could potentially cause a fire or injury.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the front seat heater elements free of charge. The recall began on november 23, 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 09V-117 (2009-04-09).

  5. Jun 2006 · 2000, 2002 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade…

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan may separate and penetrate the shroud.

    What can happen. If this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the electric cooling fan modules free of charge. The recall began on september 4, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 06V-199 (2006-06-08).

  6. Jun 2006 · 2003–2004 · SeatsOverheating could potentially cause a fire.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with heated seats, the front passenger seat electric heater element could overheat.

    What can happen. Overheating could potentially cause a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the heated seat elements. The recall began on july 24, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 06V-197 (2006-06-07).

  7. Mar 2004 · 2004 · Electrical SystemIn the presence of moisture, this could result in sensor malfunction, which could cause the engine to stall…

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines, the crankshaft position sensor wiring insulation may crack and expose the wire.

    What can happen. In the presence of moisture, this could result in sensor malfunction, which could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor. Owner notification began on march 29, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-112 (2004-03-04).

  8. Feb 2004 · 2004 · EquipmentThe vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a recent software programming error, the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information was inadvertently omitted from the vehicle certification label.

    What can happen. The vehicle owner would not be aware of the tire, wheel, and inflation pressure information for their vehicle.

    The free fix. Owners will be provided with a corrected tire certification label. Owner notification began on march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    NHTSA campaign 04V-048 (2004-02-03).

  9. Mar 2003 · 2004 · SteeringA dislodged clip may cause increased steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the power steering gear may contain an improperly formed spacer clip, which could dislodge within the steering gear.

    What can happen. A dislodged clip may cause increased steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the steering gear assemblies. Owner notification began on march 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

    NHTSA campaign 03V-079 (2003-03-10).

  10. Apr 2002 · 1999–2002 · Fuel System, GasolineThis could result in a vehicle fire.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a 4.0L engine only, the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds could allow debris to accumulate at the #3 cylinder location.

    What can happen. This could result in a vehicle fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will install a manifold shield to modify the air flow characteristics and to prevent the accumulation of debris in the area of the #3 cylinder. Owner notification began may 13, 2002. Owners…

    NHTSA campaign 02V-104 (2002-04-08).

  11. Mar 2002 · 2002 · Air BagsThis could cause improper air bag deployment in certain crash conditions.

    The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the passenger air bag wiring harness was improperly manufactured.

    What can happen. This could cause improper air bag deployment in certain crash conditions.

    The free fix. Dealers will add a wiring jumper to the existing circuitry to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

    NHTSA campaign 02V-099 (2002-03-26).

  12. Jan 2002 · 2002 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

    The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a fuel tank brush guard fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "Fuel system integrity." The onboard refueling vapor recovery (orvr) control valve can become detached during a crash, allowing fuel…

    What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will either replace the fuel tank brush guard with a skid plate or reinforce the existing fuel tank brush guard with a reinforcement bracket. Owner notification will begin march 4, 2002.…

    NHTSA campaign 02V-032 (2002-01-31).

  13. Dec 2001 · 2002 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The fuel inlet check valve could stick in the partially open position. This condition could cause fuel to spill out of the filler tube during refueling.

    What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect the fuel inlet check valve. Vehicles found to have a sticking fuel inlet check valve will have the fuel tank assembly replaced. Owner notification began december 24, 2001. Owners…

    NHTSA campaign 01V-374 (2001-12-05).

  14. Nov 2001 · 2002 · Engine and Engine CoolingFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The onboard vapor recovery system vent hose may have been misrouted. This could allow water to enter the canister which can cause fuel to spill out of the filler tube when refueling the tank.

    What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will inspect (and reposition as necessary) the vent hose. If the vent hose is found in the bent down position, and the vehicle has been driven more than 20 miles, the canister assembly will…

    NHTSA campaign 01V-348 (2001-11-13).

  15. Sep 2001 · 2002 · Electrical SystemDriving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles are being recalled for a software error in the instrument cluster microprocessor. Under certain conditions, the cluster, with the majority of its gauges, illumination, and warning lamps, could become…

    What can happen. Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will re-flash the cluster software to correct the condition. Owner notification began october 8, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date…

    NHTSA campaign 01V-288 (2001-09-10).

  16. Apr 2001 · 1999 · Seat BeltsIf the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.

    The defect. Vehicle description: certain van, wagon, pickup trucks, passenger and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." The front seat belt retractor may not comply with the requirements of the standard.

    What can happen. If the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

    NHTSA campaign 01V-119 (2001-04-11).

  17. Jan 2001 · 2001 · SteeringThis could reduce steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. An internal nut in the steering gear assembly could loosen and cause the steering gear to lock up.

    What can happen. This could reduce steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly. Owner notification began december 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…

    NHTSA campaign 01V-007 (2001-01-05).

  18. Nov 2000 · 2001 · Child SeatIn the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the…

    The defect. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." Some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that…

    What can happen. In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.

    The free fix. Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.

    NHTSA campaign 00V-366 (2000-11-09).

  19. Jul 2000 · 2000 · Fuel System, GasolineSeparation of the vent tube weld could result in a fuel leak.

    The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with fuel tanks with suspect vent tube welds.

    What can happen. Separation of the vent tube weld could result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace any fuel tanks built in the suspect time period. The vehicle will be inspected and if the bar code on the fuel tank indicates that the tank was built during the suspect period…

    NHTSA campaign 00V-195 (2000-07-17).

  20. Feb 2000 · 1999–2000 · Seat BeltsThe affected mounting bolts may not withstand sufficient force to function properly in certain impact…

    The defect. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt shoulder height adjustable turning loop (atl) top mounting bolt was inadequately manufactured.

    What can happen. The affected mounting bolts may not withstand sufficient force to function properly in certain impact situations, increasing the risk of injury to a belted occupant.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the shoulder belt height adjuster mounting bolts.

    NHTSA campaign 00V-034 (2000-02-04).

  21. Dec 1999 · 2000 · Air BagsThis condition could increase the risk of a passenger occupant injury under certain accident conditions.

    The defect. Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The passenger air bag inflator assembly contains an incorrect inflator charge amount.

    What can happen. This condition could increase the risk of a passenger occupant injury under certain accident conditions.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the air bag module with a correct module.

    NHTSA campaign 99V-343 (1999-12-02).

  22. Nov 1999 · 2000 · SteeringThis could result in sticking, binding, or seizing of the steering gear.

    The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some steering gear units were assembled with internal end-of-travel-stops that missed the heat treat process, resulting in soft internal travel stops.

    What can happen. This could result in sticking, binding, or seizing of the steering gear.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace the steering gear on involved vehicles.

    NHTSA campaign 99V-312 (1999-11-04).

  23. Nov 1998 · 1999 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    The defect. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear outboard seat belt retractor spring can disengage from the rewind mechanism, disabling the retractor function, and preventing the belt from fitting snugly around the occupant.

    What can happen. In the event of a crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    The free fix. Dealers will replace these retractors.

    NHTSA campaign 98V-276 (1998-11-04).

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 7,721 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
555 (7.2%)
Fires
111
Injury reports
356
Fatality reports
10

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

Grand Cherokee problems by model year

The 1999 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,707, most of them about the hydraulic brake circuit, and the 2003 the fewest, 762. A typical year drew about 1,386.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
19991,70757382,000Hydraulic brake circuit (614)4
20001,52879089,000Hydraulic brake circuit (429)6
200195360670,000Visibility equipment (266)4
20021,47690775,000Airbag system (486)10
200376248871,000Airbag system (256)4
20041,29584562,000Airbag system (326)8

What Grand Cherokee owners reported

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where repairs were performed on the air bag control module and side impact sensor. However, after the repair was completed, the air bag warning light…

2003 · 379,000 miles · Airbag system

The contact owns a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle was not braking normally, and braking distance was extended while coming to a stop. The contact stated that the ABS…

2004 · 260,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit

The contact owns a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of…

2003 · 212,000 miles · Airbag system

The contact owns a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V046000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure…

2002 · 138,000 miles · Airbag system

Built from 4,209 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other Grand Cherokee generations

Other midsize SUVs from the same years