JEEP CHEROKEE · model year

1999 JEEP CHEROKEE

516 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999JEEPCHEROKEE carries 516 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 49 crashes, 34 fires, 36 injuries, and 4 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 CHEROKEE is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 48 filings, followed by visibility:power window devices and controls (24) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1999 CHEROKEE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

516
Complaints
49
Crashes
34
Fires
36
Injuries
4
Deaths

Total Complaints

516 filings

Crashes Reported

49 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR48
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP20
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE19
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL19
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
SEATS15
AIR BAGS14
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION12
TIRES12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
STEERING9

Recent Complaints

20230801AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the instrument gauges failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20210918AIR BAGS

The airbag light is on all the time and the horn does not work. Failed clock spring. Mileage 123,000. 1999 Jeep Classic. No cruise control.

20210918UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The airbag light is on all the time and the horn does not work. Failed clock spring. Mileage 123,000. 1999 Jeep Classic. No cruise control.

20200819AIR BAGS

1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JS

20191005AIR BAGS

I FOUND ONLY GENERAL INFORMATION THAT OUR 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE HAD TWO RECALLS. IT IS TWENTY YEARS OLD AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RECALLS. WE ARE MOST CONCERNED TO LEARN THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BAG RECALL SOMETIME IN THE PAST. WE HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2003 AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. THE INFO SAID IT WAS A NHTSA RECALL #00V105000. THE OTHER RECALL SAYS IT'S AN AFTER-MARKET FUEL PUMP AIR TEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS FOR 1999 ' 2004. PLEASE SEND US ANY INFORMATION ON THIS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, IF ANYTHING. THANK YOU

Mileage: 180,000

20191005FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I FOUND ONLY GENERAL INFORMATION THAT OUR 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE HAD TWO RECALLS. IT IS TWENTY YEARS OLD AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RECALLS. WE ARE MOST CONCERNED TO LEARN THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BAG RECALL SOMETIME IN THE PAST. WE HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2003 AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. THE INFO SAID IT WAS A NHTSA RECALL #00V105000. THE OTHER RECALL SAYS IT'S AN AFTER-MARKET FUEL PUMP AIR TEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS FOR 1999 ' 2004. PLEASE SEND US ANY INFORMATION ON THIS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, IF ANYTHING. THANK YOU

Mileage: 180,000

20181130AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V105000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ROBERT GREEN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (178 BRIDGEVILLE RD, MONTICELLO, NY 12701, (845) 397-7532) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180618UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY IN ALL TYPES OF DRIVING AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS

Mileage: 200,000

20180504SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE BRAKE LINES BECAME SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER (CUETER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,827.

Mileage: 223,827

20180428STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE UNI-BODY FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT UNDERNEATH IT IS A HAZARD TOO DRIVE, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT. SPECIFICALLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED AND FRAME IS SO RUSTED THEY CAN NOT BE REATTACHED. IT SEEMS IT IS VERY COMMON FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE UNI-BODY UNDER CARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND BECOME A HAZARD WITH CONTROL ARMS DETACHING AND VEHICLE BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS PREDOMINANTLY A PROBLEM IN NORTHERN PART OF US. HOWEVER, THESE ARE VEHICLE PEOPLE BUY TO DRIVE ON BAD ROADS SO THEY SHOULD NOT DETERIORATE AND BECOME A DANGER TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE JEEPS AND WELD IN NEW FRAME RAILS AND OTHER SUPPORT AND REATTACH DETACHED SUSPENSION AND OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT.

Mileage: 200,000

20180428SUSPENSION

MY 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE UNI-BODY FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT UNDERNEATH IT IS A HAZARD TOO DRIVE, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT. SPECIFICALLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED AND FRAME IS SO RUSTED THEY CAN NOT BE REATTACHED. IT SEEMS IT IS VERY COMMON FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE UNI-BODY UNDER CARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND BECOME A HAZARD WITH CONTROL ARMS DETACHING AND VEHICLE BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS PREDOMINANTLY A PROBLEM IN NORTHERN PART OF US. HOWEVER, THESE ARE VEHICLE PEOPLE BUY TO DRIVE ON BAD ROADS SO THEY SHOULD NOT DETERIORATE AND BECOME A DANGER TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE JEEPS AND WELD IN NEW FRAME RAILS AND OTHER SUPPORT AND REATTACH DETACHED SUSPENSION AND OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT.

Mileage: 200,000

20180428WHEELS

MY 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE UNI-BODY FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT UNDERNEATH IT IS A HAZARD TOO DRIVE, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT. SPECIFICALLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED AND FRAME IS SO RUSTED THEY CAN NOT BE REATTACHED. IT SEEMS IT IS VERY COMMON FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE UNI-BODY UNDER CARRIAGE TO RUST OUT AND BECOME A HAZARD WITH CONTROL ARMS DETACHING AND VEHICLE BECOMING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS PREDOMINANTLY A PROBLEM IN NORTHERN PART OF US. HOWEVER, THESE ARE VEHICLE PEOPLE BUY TO DRIVE ON BAD ROADS SO THEY SHOULD NOT DETERIORATE AND BECOME A DANGER TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THESE JEEPS AND WELD IN NEW FRAME RAILS AND OTHER SUPPORT AND REATTACH DETACHED SUSPENSION AND OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT.

Mileage: 200,000

20171113SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT LATCH AND BUCKLE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, IT IS VERY HARD TO BUCKLE IN AND WHEN TRYING TO UNBUCKLE, IT TAKES A LOT OF FORCE, TIME AND VERY UNSAFE. IF LEFT UNBUCKLED THE DASH LIGHT OR ALARM NEVER COMES ON TO BUCKLE UP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES, DOESN'T MATTER IF STATIONARY OR MOVING. THE SEAT BELT HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO REPAIR IT UNLESS AN INITIAL FEE OF $250 IS PAID WITH MORE REPAIR FEES ARE EXPECTED.

20170613CrashFatalAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNED A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT EYE, LACERATION OF THE NOSE, A BROKEN JAW, THE FRONT TEETH SHIFTED, AND BLACK EYES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20170320UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STOLEN MARCH 3RD, MCDONALDS OLD SPARTANBURG ROAD AROUND 2PM, BLACK JEEP WITH LIFTKIT, LOWER BACK BECAUSE SHOCKS NEEDED FIXED, ANY INFO WILL HELP.

20170125STEERING

MY CAR HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE FRONT END WOBBLED SO BADLY THAT I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. "DEATH WOBBLE"

Mileage: 177,340

20150814SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE, ARRIVING AT A STOP-LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, PEDAL SEEMED TO HAVE NO LEVERAGE TO IT. I COASTED TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND PADS, THOSE COMPONENTS SEEMED TO BE FINE. AND HAD TO GET VEHICLE TOWED IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 179,962

20150725STEERING

HIT A BUMP OR POT HOLE OR A MAN COVER AT 45 MPH AND THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AND GOES OUT OF CONTROL. ALMOST BEEN HIT OVER 5 TIMES BECAUSE I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP THE ISSUE. TIRES A NEW AND I'VE BEEN TO THE SHOP THEY SAY EVERYTHING GOOD FOR SAFETY INSPECTIONS BUT IT'S NOT GOOD. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT JEEP IS JUST TRY TO KILL IT'S CAR DRIVERS I WON'T HAVE BUY THE THING.

Mileage: 174,000

20150629AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND BUZZER, GO ON AND OFF EVERY 5 MINUTES. DEALER SAYS NO RECALL. WHAT DO I DO? UPDATED 09/09/15*LJ

20150619SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 340,000.

Mileage: 340,000

Compare 1999JEEPCHEROKEE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE have?
The 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE has 516 NHTSA complaints, 49 crashes, 34 fires, 36 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE?
The most-complained component for the 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR with 48 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC.
Is the 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.