1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems & reliability
1,638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
52 complaints report injuries (64 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles were involved in 58 fatal crashes with 41 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 595 | 36% |
| Power Train | 386 | 24% |
| Visibility | 162 | 10% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 121 | 7% |
| Seats | 91 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 84 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 83 | 5% |
| Suspension | 76 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 62 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 57 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 82,000 miles (middle 50% between 50,000 and 127,000 miles), based on 527 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Found that there is a plastic fuel tank mounted behind the rear axle hanging down below the bumper and was told if I get rear ended it could cause an explosion that would need to have a hitch receiver installed to protect the fuel tank”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed May 18, 2021
“You are driving along on a highway doing 70 miles per hour and the car starts stopping this time you barely get onto the shoulder. Or, you are driving along the car stops you put on your flashers and you hear the trucks behind you breaking and sliding to the side of the road. I was in motion at least ten of the times…”
Engine · filed Jul 23, 2020
“Lately I been having trouble startimg the jeep. At first it seems as if the battery is low. Sounds like it wont start but then it slowly picks up and starts if I press the gas. I changed battery but still having trouble. But once its on and running it seems fine. I also have a steering problem. Truck seems to pull to…”
Electrical System · filed Apr 26, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Engineering Analysis EA12005 · opened Jun 12, 2012 · closed Nov 14, 2014 · led to recall 13V252000
- Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Preliminary Evaluation PE10031 · opened Aug 23, 2010 · closed Jun 14, 2012
- Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
Defect Petition DP09005 · opened Nov 6, 2009 · closed Aug 23, 2010
- ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKED
Engineering Analysis EA01017 · opened Nov 1, 2001 · closed Dec 18, 2002 · led to recall 02V053000
- INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARK
Preliminary Evaluation PE01021 · opened Jun 28, 2001 · closed Nov 1, 2001
Technical service bulletins
176 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 82,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.