1999 Jeep Cherokee: common problems and reliability

The 1999 Jeep Cherokee has 2113 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic. Owners most often flag severe 9-speed automatic transmission problems: including bad shifting, laggy downshifts (taking 2-3 seconds), clunking noises, loss of 4x4 capability, and widespread concerns about long-term reliability. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 1999 model year

2,113
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
171
Crash reports
43
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Jeep Cherokee vehicles (US, public record).

Is 1999 a good year for the Cherokee?

Across the 6 Cherokee model years we track, complaint volume runs from 500 (1996) to 2,113 (1999). With 2,113 complaints, the 1999 Cherokee sits abovethe model's median of 1,581.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

service brakes
741
hydraulic
709
power train
462
visibility
200
engine and engine cooling
168

Recalls affecting the 1999 Cherokee

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 09E025000

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 REQUIREMEN

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E065000

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

exterior lighting

Campaign 09E012000

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 REQUIREMEN

service brakes, hydraulic

Campaign 06E022000

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYB

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation. For the original XJ generation (produced until approximately 2001), sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with owners praising legendary reliability, mechanical simplicity, and rugged capability.

  • KL Generation (2014-2023):
  • Severe 9-speed automatic transmission problems: including bad shifting, laggy downshifts (taking 2-3 seconds), clunking noises, loss of 4x4 capability, and widespread concerns about long-term reliability. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Cherokee. See the full Cherokee owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Cherokee listings typically run $14,997–$33,998 across 2016 to 2026 model years.

Other Cherokee model years

Compare every Cherokee year side by side to see how 1999 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Cherokee against its rivals