10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #21

Oct 022008

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited's heater control unit has become faulty. The heat does not work on any setting, and outside cold air comes into the cabin with zero control. This is making visibility very poor due to lack of defrosting the front windshield. I brought it to the dealer, and they informed me that it was due to a poor "design" from the factory. They told me that it was going to cost $1,766 plus tax to repair this problem. I feel that there should be a recall issued to fix this problem seeing it becomes a safety risk due to poor visibility.

- New Britain, CT, USA

problem #20

Dec 152007

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,000 miles
I ran into what I thought was a simple heating problem with my 1999 Grand Cherokee. One day while driving down the road, my car simply stopped blowing hot air. After going to the dealership and spending nearly $600 to have some sort of solenoid replaced, I realize after pulling out of the lot that only my passenger side will blow hot air. I called the dealership back, and they told me that it was a problem with the blend doors, and will likely cost between $1,000 and $1,500 to fix. The repair requires a complete disassembly of the dash and steering column (around 10-12 hours for a full repair, according to the shop). I began to look around online to see what else could be done. To my surprise, nearly every Jeep message board was flooded with posts about this exact problem. The engineering of the part virtually ensures that it will fail; the calibration phase (every 20 or so start-ups) forces the plastic part to its limits and eventually breaks. Every dealership or auto repair shop that I contacted said that virtually every 1999 and newer Grand Cherokee has, or will have, this problem. The issue isn't paying for car repair; every car has problems that we as consumers will need pay to get fixed. The problem is that the engineering of this part causes it to fail, and now I'm stuck not being able to defrost my windshield in the winter, or now in springtime when it rains. There is no doubt in my mind that this has already, or will cause in the future, accidents from people not being able to see. Many people, including myself, would rather drive down the road while wiping the windshield with a rag... than pay $1,500 to get it fixed. For many people, spending that $1,500 isn't even an option.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

problem #19

Nov 142007

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,000 miles
A defective A/C part failed behind the dash, causing extensive repair costs.

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #18

Mar 272006

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
A/C problem in my Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #17

Nov 012006

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles
The air conditioner (ac)/heat do not work on the1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The likely problem is the failure of the poorly designed/manufactured blend doors. Estimated repair cost: $1200. I was informed by mechanic that this is a common problem with this vehicle. It is outrageous that such a system would fail so often and cost so much to fix.

- N. Stonington, CT, USA

problem #16

Oct 122006

Grand Cherokee 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
I own a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee ltd, also referred to as wj. In the 2 years I have own this Jeep certain problems came up. Apart from the issue with the front brakes warping the rotors, and needing upgraded calipers and new rotors replaced. Which the DC dealers didn't want to acknowledgments other issue and equally troublesome and probably dangerous is the current issue of the HVAC system no working properly. This problem is very common amongst these vehicles. I have a little heat blowing on the driver side compartment, but 0 heat and all cold on the passenger and defrost. God help me if im stuck on the side of the road during the winter, which it is right now. My passengers and I would not fair well. The cold blowing from the pass. Side vents and defrost is like the A/C was on. Now, this issue is the blend doors are broken, Chrysler and Jeep both now of this issue. And the cost of the repairs of course are very high from the dealership, as it involves removing the dashboard the center console and the steering column. This has to be a recall and fix their expense at least.

- Kearny, NJ, USA

problem #15

Apr 051999

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes still squeak after being replaced several times. Air conditioner worked intermittently. There was also a foul odor coming out of it. Had to fill with freon once a month. No air conditioner now.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #14

Jun 182001

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
A/C is inoperable.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #13

Sep 172000

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
All four brake rotors wore out excessively which has caused vibration in steering wheel when applying brakes. Brake rotors have been resurfaced every ten thousand miles. Consumer has contacted dealer, and dealer has turned the rotors. However, problem still occurs. Consumer states air conditioner was not cold enough.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #12

Feb 082000

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
A foul, unpleasant odor is coming from the air conditioning vents, dealer has attempted to fix the problem, but can't.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #11

Oct 042000

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Consumer complains of an air conditioning odor.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #10

Jan 272000

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Carthage, TX, USA

problem #9

May 182000

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
We have also had problems with the rear door, hard grind when shifting to reverse, when shifting into reverse...nothing happened, whistling noise when driving over 45-50 mph., blower problems, fowl smell after using a.C., leak in rear window, clicking in automatic lock section, faulty speaker.

- Meeker, CO, USA

problem #8

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- South Londonderry, VT, USA

problem #7

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- South Londonderry, VT, USA

problem #6

Mar 142000

(reported on)

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- South Londonderry, VT, USA

problem #5

Jul 071999

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Since date of purchase wipers did not function, air conditioner intermittently fails to blow air for periods up to 30-60 seconds. Can occur repeatedly, with only seconds in between. Overhead computer system repeatedly sounds alarms that the lift gate is open when it is closed. Rear defroster comes on at its own whim, and at times will not turn off unless key is turned off. Transmission was replaced. On board panic system (integrated with the keyless entry system) goes off at will, sounding the horn and flashing lights. Occurs almost continually when vehicle is locked. The body control module was replaced, numerous attempts at investigating the wiring, replacing connectors and sensors have still left us with the defects. The vehicle is well known in the community because it simply cannot be silenced. We have been told that numerous other 1999 and 2000 models of Grand Cherokee have had similar problems, especially with respect to the transmission which has caught fire when it failed during driving (as related by a Jeep dealer service department) we were lucky my husband noticed a problem before it reached the point of no return. Please contact if additional information is needed, will be happy to provide whatever it necessary to begin an investigation into the plague known as the Grand Cherokee.

- Alma, MI, USA

problem #4

Aug 091999

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Repeated problems with ac/heat being erratic, will take vehicle in for 4th time. Vehicle shuddered, fixed by changing fluid. Weather seal fell off. Brake shudder fixed by replacement of rotors, etc. Engine stalled fixed, but the rev up and lurch at stop is not yet. Setting another appointment with service.

- Altus, OK, USA

problem #3

Aug 271999

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
In shop 5 times since purchase and problems still not fixed

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #2

Jun 251999

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Air conditioning does not cool. We have had it to the dealer 4 different times and they have not been able to fix the problem. We were told there is a vacuum leak somewhere. The dealer has added different parts to aid in the vacuum, but nothing is working. This problem has affected the use, value, and possibly the safety of the vehicle.

- Yankton, SD, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »