NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 2,004 owner complaints for the 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (684) and power train (434). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Cherokee model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 450 |
| 1997 | 1,380 |
| 1999 | 2,004 |
| 2000 | 1,829 |
| 2001 | 1,111 |
| 2014 | 2,651 |
| 2015 | 1,794 |
| 2016 | 1,413 |
| 2017 | 1,338 |
| 2018 | 688 |
| 2019 | 1,673 |
| 2020 | 334 |
| 2021 | 177 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE PARK POSITION TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.”
“1ST ISSUE IS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DISENGAGE. THEY HANG UP SO BAD OUR 10 YR OLD GRAND DAUGHTER NEEDS HELP TO REMOVE THE BELT. THE BELT FOR THE DRIVER HAS SAME ISSUE TO WHERE IT IS EVEN DIFFICULT FOR AN ADULT TO GET IT TO UNLATCH. 2ND ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD WHEN COLD. WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A FEW MILES IT SHIFTS NORMAL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM A LOT OF JEEP OWNERS HAVE. IT IS A NOTED PROBLEM IN OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES WITH THE 42RE TRANSMISSION. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED SINCE IT IS SO WIDE SPREAD.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAN IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM FAILED TO RUN AT A HIGH SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT A BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Cherokee 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Cherokee 2WD Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Cherokee 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Cherokee 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Cherokee 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Cherokee 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 2,004 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (684), power train (434), visibility (194). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Jeep Cherokee at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).