FaultScore

1999 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems

31 of the 516 complaints about the 1999 Jeep Cherokee are about the electrical system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 78,680 miles.

F

31

Complaints

0

Crashes

10

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 16 51.6%
Interior/Under Dash 5 16.1%
Starter Assembly 4 12.9%
Ignition 3 9.7%
Wiring 1 3.2%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 1 3.2%
Switch 1 3.2%

Electrical System across every Jeep Cherokee year

1988 19 0.8%
1989 16 0.7%
1991 11 0.5%
1992 12 0.5%
1993 38 1.6%
1994 22 0.9%
1995 45 1.9%
1996 45 1.9%
1997 26 1.1%
1998 48 2.0%
1999 31 1.3%
2000 55 2.3%
2001 20 0.8%
2014 450 18.9%
2015 327 13.7%
2016 296 12.4%
2017 341 14.3%
2018 191 8.0%
2019 338 14.2%
2020 34 1.4%
2021 22 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 77,000 miles Williamsburg, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NEAR MISS REAR END COLLISION DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES EITHER THE TURN SIGNALS LEFT AND RIGHT WILL NOT WORK OR THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT LAMP ASSEMBLIES WILL NOT WORK. FOUND A ELECTRICAL GROUNDING ISSUE WITH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY WITH REGARDS TO BRAKE LIGHTS. WITH REGARDS TO THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. IN ADDITION, WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND LOCKED AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LAMPS COME ON AND OFF FOR UNKNOWN REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10644255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles Enid, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED 2 TIMES. THEN IT. STOPS WORKING AGAIN. MY DRIVERS SEAT RAIL BROKE ON MY JEEP AND CAUSES THE SEAT TO WOBBLE ALL AROUND. THE SEAT ARE ALSO BROKEN IN THE SAME WAY ON MY 2000 JEEP AND MY 1996 JEEP TOO. WHAT CAN BE DONE. I HAVE 4 CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. 3 JEEPS HAVE BROKEN SEATS. 2 OF THE 4 HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHAT CAN BE DONE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

NHTSA complaint #10499817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jersey City, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 99 GRAND CHEROKEE LAREADO EVERY NOW AND THEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS GO OUT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I CHECKED FUSES ARE ALL GOOD, LIGHT BULBS NEW, AND THIS PROBLEM STILL EXIST. ALSO THE HEADLIGHTS ARE REALLY FOGGY LOOKING MAKING IT HARD TO SEE ON DARK ROADS.

NHTSA complaint #10444475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Fallbrook, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NO: 08-15-99 SUBJECT: ERRATIC, INTERMITTENT CLUSTER OPERATION/INTERMITTENT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. DATE: MAY 21, 1999 THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 08-20-98 REV. A, DATED OCTOBER 2, 1998, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE BOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BOOK, PUBLICATION NUMBER 81-699-99003. THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION TO THE PROCEDURE. OVERVIEW: THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES INSTALLING A REPAIR HARNESS CONTAINING A REVISED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONNECTOR. SYMPTOM/CONDITION: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OR AN INTERMITTENT TACHOMETER OR SPEEDOMETER DROP OUT. AN AIRBAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) FAULT CODE -"NO CLUSTER CCD BUS " MESSAGE WILL BE PRESENT. DIAGNOSIS: USING THE DRB III, READ AND RECORD ALL ACTIVE AND STORED FAULT CODES IN THE AECM. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY MINOR OXIDATION OF THE BUS CIRCUIT TERMINALS AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONNECTOR. ELECTRICAL TERMINALS WILL SHOW SIGNS OF OXIDATION, WHICH WILL APPEAR AS DARKENED LINES OR MARKS ON THE CLUSTER MALE TERMINALS. THESE OFTEN APPEAR AS GRAY OR BLACK MARKS RATHER THAN THE APPEARANCE OF OXIDATION OR CORROSION USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER CURRENT CARRYING CIRCUITS. THIS CONDITION WILL SET A "NO CLUSTER CCD BUS" MESSAGE. THE FAULT CODE WILL USUALLY BE STORED AND NOT ACTIVE. THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WILL NOT ADDRESS FUEL OR OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ISSUES. IF THIS FAULT CODE IS PRESENT, EITHER ACTIVE OR STORED PERFORM THE REPAIR PROCEDURE. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS COMMON WITH ALL JEEPS. THERE ARE MANY JEEP OWNERS WITH THIS VERY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10395285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Leesburg, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER (ACTUALLY ALL GAUGES) WILL STOP WORKING, THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND SOMETIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TOO. IF YOU HIT THE DASHBOARD (SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL HITS) THE GAUGES WILL START WORKING AGAIN AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. HAVEN'T HAD IT CHECKED BY A SHOP YET.

NHTSA complaint #10280486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Butte, MT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED AMPLIFIER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO STOP THE SPARKS AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE AMP. HE ALSO HAD TO CUT THE WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE AMP AND REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE RADIO. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AMP IS POSITIONED UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WHERE THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IS LOCATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #10266085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles ST. Aug., FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOG LIGHT SWITCH. WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET ANOTHER SWITCH , I WAS TOLD THAT THE SWITCH # HAD BEEN CHANGED AND THE IT IS $186.00 WHICH INCLUDES WIRING" I ASKED IF THE WIRING IS RECALLED HE SAID " NO" SO I BOUGHT THE SWITCH FOR $45.00 AND IT SEEMS TO WORK. I WAS WONDERING IF DODGE KNOWS THAT THE WIRING IS BAD? I HAVE SEEN A JEEP IN THE JUNK YARD THAT HAS A DASH FIRE STARTING IN THAT AREA? YOUR HELP IS REQUIRED FOR OUR SAFETY & PEACE OF MIND!

NHTSA complaint #10244514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Stevenson Ranch, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES BY LOCAL MECHANICS, BUT THE FAILURE STILLS PERSISTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V059000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08.

NHTSA complaint #10238054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Troy, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE FAILS PERIODICALLY. SPOKE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD IF IT IS NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT. TRUCK FAILED TO START 4 DAYS AGO. HAS IT TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, BUT TECH HAS NOT YET FIGURED IT OUT. JEEP ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES. NOW MIND YOU, SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS JEEP IN 1999, IT HAS ONLY BEEN TO A CERTIFIED JEEP DEALER FOR ALL SERVICES. ALL RECOMMENDED WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMPLETED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE, BECAUSE I HAD TO GET IT TOWED.

NHTSA complaint #10164580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Saint Clair Shores, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST ALL FUNCTIONS ON THE FREEWAY @ 80 MPH SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTARTED, TRUCK IS AT DEALERSHIP TODAY IN ADDITION LOST THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTION TO BOTH DOORS IN DECEMBER OF 2004.

NHTSA complaint #10132822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,622 miles Buckingham, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES CEASED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD GO BLANK AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD WOULD DIM. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM THIS WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS GOING IN DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM BEGUN WITH THE AIRBAG, FOLLOWED BY THE ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPING TO ZERO. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND "NO BUS" ERROR MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR ON THE ODOMETER. SOMETIMES THE GAS, BATTERY, TEMPERATURE, AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WOULD FAIL AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WOULD LAST FROM ANYWHERE UP TO FORTY MINUTES OR MORE. CORROSION WAS FOUND WHERE THE HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10055804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbine Hills, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. *AK THE KEY CAN BE MOVED FROM ANY POSITION AND HAS CAUSED BATTERY FAILURE MANY TIMES. THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED WITH ANY KEY, SCREW DRIVER, ETC. (THIS COULD BE THE REASON WHY JEEPS ARE EASILY STOLEN AND INSURANCE COSTS ARE HIGH) *SC

NHTSA complaint #10046446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles S. Holland, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DRIVER PULLED OVER, CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA complaint #10038273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE MAY 2001. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. ON 7/8/2003, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SELL THE VEHICLE OR TRADE IT IN.

NHTSA complaint #10026823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Macomb TWP, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ERRATIC, INTERMITTENT INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER, FAILURE (SHUT-DOWN) WHILE DRIVING, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, AMP GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, ODOMETER,GAS GAUGE AND TACHOMETER GAUGE. ISOLATED OCCURRENCES WITHOUT WARNING MADE IT DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN. BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE AS NOTED IN COMPANY SERVICE BULLETINS (081599) SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS AND REPAIRED AT CHRYSLER EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10025741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Deer Park, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CHRYSLER KNOWS THEY HAVE EVAPORATOR FAILURES DUE TO INFERIOR COILS THAT LAST LESS THAN 4 YEARS. THEY NEED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS COST TO THE CONSUMER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER JEEP CHEROKEE.

NHTSA complaint #10016252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,360 miles Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD AND SLIPPED ON ACCELERATION. FOUND WRONG FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. IGNITION CYLINDER LOOSE. DEALER ADVISED THIS WAS NORMAL. TRANSMISSION BANGED WHEN PUT IN REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #8023609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yakima, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL, CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT RESOLVED, CLAIM 47-4201-794. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yakima, WA Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSURED HIT BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO DITCH AND CAUGHT FIRE, INSURED STATED THAT PRIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. CLAIM NUMBER 47-420-794.

NHTSA complaint #6900917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Jackson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE, STARTER FAILURE IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE CAUSE, CLAIM 53-C679-292. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Jackson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO STARTER FAILURE. CLAIM NUMBER 53-C679-292.

NHTSA complaint #6900918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yakima, WA Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSURED HIT BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO DITCH AND CAUGHT FIRE, INSURED STATED THAT PRIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. CLAIM NUMBER 47-420-794.

NHTSA complaint #6900917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Jackson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO STARTER FAILURE. CLAIM NUMBER 53-C679-292.

NHTSA complaint #6900918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yakima, WA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED BRAKES TO FAIL, CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT RESOLVED, CLAIM 47-4201-794. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Jackson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE, STARTER FAILURE IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE CAUSE, CLAIM 53-C679-292. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edna, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. WINDOWS WOULD NOT COME DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

NHTSA complaint #8001733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DEALER REPLACED INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MODULE AND PROBLM HAS REOCCURRED. TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A WIRE WAS FOUNDED BROKEN AND REPLACED IT AGAIN. NO PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL THAT HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED, VEHICLE HAD BEEN WORKED ON DURING A RECALL REPAIR REGARDING THE AIR BAG ON JUNE 7TH OF 2000. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #896900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Killeen, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

SINCE JAN. 2000, THE VEHICLE GAUGES HAVE INTERMITTINGLY FAILED IE, NOT REGISTERING READING TO INCLUDE SPEED, MILEAGE, WATER TEMPERATURE, OIL PRESSURE, TACHOMETER AND AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. SOMETIMES, IF I KEEP AIR CONDITIONER AT COOLEST LEVEL THE GAUGES WILL RESUME OPERATION.

NHTSA complaint #723322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coconut Grove, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

FOG LIGHT SHORTAGE FROM THE INTERIOR SWITCH, REAR LEFT SHOCK SQUEAKS NON STOP AT LOW SPEEDS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN A/C IS ON (HOT OR COLD), GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM REAR AXLE WHEN COMING OUT OF FIRST GEAR, NOISY DASHBOARD WHEN ROAD IS BUMPY, SMALL SIGNS OF RUST STARTING TO APPEAR ON EXTERIOR, FONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP IF PUT DOWN BY PASSENGER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MAKING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #717072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coconut Grove, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOG LIGHT SHORTAGE FROM THE INTERIOR SWITCH, REAR LEFT SHOCK SQUEAKS NON STOP AT LOW SPEEDS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN A/C IS ON (HOT OR COLD), GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM REAR AXLE WHEN COMING OUT OF FIRST GEAR, NOISY DASHBOARD WHEN ROAD IS BUMPY, SMALL SIGNS OF RUST STARTING TO APPEAR ON EXTERIOR, FONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP IF PUT DOWN BY PASSENGER, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MAKING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #717072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Jeep Cherokee problems

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