19th Sep 2008, 03:18

Not so proud owner of a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I'm going to drive it until the wheels literally fall off!

The first and most common problem that re-occured several times - the front brakes. Changed calipers, pads, and rotors at least 3 times in first 3 years because of the steering wheel shake. Actually got refunded about $400 in a settlement over that problem.

At 43,000 the transmission self destructed, since then the steering pump, water pump, cooling fan, and relay (several fan relays). I've become a pro at changing them out.

Crankshaft sensor (which was nice going down the highway, and your car turns off, then back on randomly!!).

A lift gate that sounds like you have a spare tire jumping around in the back. (I actually checked the spare, it is firmly secured).

Replaced the rear shocks too!

Next on my list of replacements is the front CV axles.

Both boots are ripped, and driving in the desert is not a good combo.

Cherokee's were a great jeep, GC's are a bust. Does anyone want to buy my Jeep?

21st Jan 2009, 10:29

I bought my 99 GC 3yrs ago.

At 120,000 it started falling apart. Blinker switch, door "open" limiter broke, drivers side power window, maybe the glass guides broke.

Tranny clunks, rear end whines, rotors only last a year. Can't complain, never left me stranded and it runs like a Rolex.

Tranny clunk is normal, some older Dodge Jeeps have a fluid additive. It keeps the fluid from getting frothy, could solve it.

26th Apr 2009, 18:20

I just got done working on my friend's 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and I loved the experience; changed the thermostat, flushed the coolant system, changed the spark plugs, and now it's running like a champ with a 180 thermostat in it. Someone before me replaced the fan and broke the clip, so the fan was coming on intermittently and locked up the thermostat. But all in all, everything is easy to get to, and the spark plugs took all of about 15 minutes LOL.

We also fixed the film on the headlights, using some 220 sandpaper, then some finer sandpaper, we sanded the lights, then bought a spray can of clear coat, and spray painted the lights with it and they look almost like new... Yes, it works, I have pictures LOL, mrrwhitley @ hotmail.com (take out the spaces in the email, it's to prevent bots from harvesting my email address.

I also did the lights on a Grand Am and a Chrysler Town and Country.

Funny thing is, while we were doing the flush (a 2 day process with super flush additive in the system), this power lock on the rear lift gate started making the weird noise, and we are ordering a new actuator from eBay Motors. $75

Anyway, I'm not a major mechanic, but I told my friend I would work on his any time he needs, because I find it very easy to work on. Well at least the 4.0 6 is.

A while back we had to fix his driver's seat, because the bolt on one of the brackets underneath pulled through, and he almost ended up with his seat laying down on him.

3rd Aug 2009, 11:42

We bought a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Laredo for my son. We paid $3,950, and have put in over $4,000 since November 2006 when we bought it.

It now has 145,000 miles. This is what has been done: brakes front and back (several times), CV boots, tie rods, axle shaft, transmission, air conditioning, and many more items.

I talked him into keeping it, thinking we repaired everything, but now it needs new ball bearings in front, new CV boots again, axle seals in rear are leaking and now losing bearings and this is estimated at another $1,800. If cash for clunkers lasts, it is out of here.

The thing that makes us sick is that it still looks great, and having put in all these other repairs you wouldn't think you would have to rebuild the entire car to this degree.

I would never own another Jeep... these were clearly lemons just by reading the majority of these reviews.

24th Aug 2009, 02:06

I own four Grand Cherokees; a 1996, 2000, 2002 and 2009.

The 1996 has 175,000 miles, and I have had to have transfer case work done several times, and other usual repair work for a vehicle with this kind of mileage.

The 2000 has 135,000 miles on it, and although there have been a lot of minor repair issues like radiator fan relays and door latches, no major work or any kind has been needed.

The 2002 also has had some minor trim issues (hood and tail gate latches and seat heater switch) it has 53,000 miles with no other issues.

The 2009 is brand new, so no issues yet.

All in all I think that the Jeep Grands are as reliable as anything else out there if you take care of them, but I know that from time to time all manufacturers build a bum vehicle, and I feel sorry for all of you guys that got stuck with them.

22nd Sep 2009, 08:41

I have a 99 Grand Cherokee, and I see a lot of the same issues here. It has 76,000 on it, but it sits a lot to drive the Wrangler.

I replaced most the parts on the front (CV boots, bearings etc.) It also is leaking anti-freeze.. I believe from the head, but haven't gotten to look at it yet.

Replaced the brakes as normal, and it clunks when I put it in reverse.

These Jeeps are not lemons, they are just like your wife, drives you nuts, but deep down you love it.

22nd Sep 2009, 15:23

I sold Jeeps for many, many years, and have been a Jeep owner even longer.

1999 was a bad year for the Grand Cherokee - it was the first year of a model redesign, and '99 is probably the worst year of the Grand Cherokee's production.

That being said warping brake rotors continued to be a major problem with this vehicle. Chrysler transmissions and Chrysler electrics also can be problematic.

I personally would replace the OEM pads & rotors with high-quality aftermarket units.

Not all Jeeps are problematic - the Wrangler & older Cherokee models are actually very good vehicles.

3rd Oct 2009, 13:22

The comments sound all too familiar. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone!!! Bought mine in 2002, ran great for about 2 years, then things started to happen.

First was front brakes pulsating, replaced pads and rotors about 8 times now. Rear axle had to be repaired, replaced radiator twice, along with fan relay 3 times, which by the way is a pain to get at.

In 2006, had to have the head repaired at $1300, a year later replaced the engine @ $2700.

Last year had both front axles replaced and now the differential is shot. Had to replace drivers side window motor, air bag light stays on, liftgate light keeps beeping even when closed and the list goes on.

It's a shame, the truck looks great and is fun to drive (when working). But enough is enough, time to dump it. If your thinking of buying one, do yourself a favor and DON'T...

10th Oct 2010, 17:06

I leased a 1999 Jeep Grand, and drove it 36 months without any problems, except the shock that holds the hood up. I choose not to buy it after the lease was up, and regretted not buying it, as I still feel it was the most fun of any auto I've owned.

I bought a 2005 Jeep Grand, and traded it in after 36 months because it had drive train problems the dealer couldn't replicate when at the dealer.

Lately I thought about buying a 1999 Jeep Grand as a second car, and after reading this site, I'm not sure it's a good idea. Maybe Jeep as a brand isn't what it used to be. I still have faith in Chrysler, as I still own one, an 09, and so far so good.