1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems: 13 Known Issues
1999 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 13 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are 4.7L V8 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot-Restart No-Start and Random Stalling ($80-$350 repair), 1999-2004 4.0L Coolant Loss or Misfire — Confirm the Cylinder Head and Leak Path First, 1999-2010 Airbag Light Plus Horn or Wheel-Control Faults - Scan SRS First, Rear-Mounted Fuel Tank Rupture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Recall 13V-252 / Campaign N45) ($0-$0 repair) and Internal Radiator Transmission-Cooler Failure Cross-Contaminating ATF and Coolant ('Pink Milkshake') ($400-$1,800 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $40 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 13 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls15 recalls
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
SUSPENSION
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS IN A CERTAIN LOT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED FROM GRAY IRON INSTEAD OF DUCTILE IRON AS DESIGNED AND COULD FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 4.7L V8 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot-Restart No-Start and Random Stalling, 1999-2004 4.0L Coolant Loss or Misfire — Confirm the Cylinder Head and Leak Path First, 1999-2010 Airbag Light Plus Horn or Wheel-Control Faults - Scan SRS First. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: 4.7L V8 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot-Restart No-Start and Random Stalling and 1999-2004 4.0L Coolant Loss or Misfire — Confirm the Cylinder Head and Leak Path First and 1999-2010 Airbag Light Plus Horn or Wheel-Control Faults - Scan SRS First and Rear-Mounted Fuel Tank Rupture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Recall 13V-252 / Campaign N45) and Internal Radiator Transmission-Cooler Failure Cross-Contaminating ATF and Coolant ('Pink Milkshake'). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
Repair costs for known Jeep Grand Cherokee issues range from $0 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 4.7L V8 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot-Restart No-Start and Random Stalling, typically costs $80-$350 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot-Restart No-Start and Random Stalling?
The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) on the 4.7L (and 4.0L) Grand Cherokee commonly fails from heat-soak: it works when cold but its internal resistance rises when hot, so the PCM loses the crank signal and the engine won't restart until it cools 30-60 minutes, or it stalls rando… Repairs typically run $80-$350. Severity: high.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004 4.0L Coolant Loss or Misfire — Confirm the Cylinder Head and Leak Path First?
A cracked cylinder head or failed head gasket can produce coolant loss, overheating, rough running, or cylinder leakage on a 4.0L Grand Cherokee, but the previous card treated every 1999-2004 vehicle as if its installed casting and failure mode were already known. Heads may have… Severity: high.
What is the 1999-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2010 Airbag Light Plus Horn or Wheel-Control Faults - Scan SRS First?
The clockspring is a plausible shared point when a Grand Cherokee has an airbag warning together with a failed horn, cruise control, or steering-wheel buttons. Factory wiring confirms that those circuits pass through the clockspring/steering-control assembly. That symptom combina… Severity: high.
What is the 1994-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rear-Mounted Fuel Tank Rupture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Recall 13V-252 / Campaign N45)?
For the ZJ (1993-1998) and WJ (1999-2004) Grand Cherokee, Chrysler mounted the plastic fuel tank behind the rear axle with little rear-structure protection. NHTSA and the Center for Auto Safety documented that these vehicles were far more likely to suffer a fatal post-crash fire… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Internal Radiator Transmission-Cooler Failure Cross-Contaminating ATF and Coolant ('Pink Milkshake')?
On the WJ the automatic-transmission fluid cooler is integrated inside the radiator end tank. As the radiator ages the internal cooler barrier fails, allowing engine coolant and ATF to intermix under pressure. The result is a pink/tan 'strawberry milkshake' in both the transmissi… Repairs typically run $400-$1,800. Severity: high.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Failure Causing Intermittent Warm-Weather Stalling and No-Start?
The WJ PCM (engine computer) can develop internal faults — often heat/temperature-related micro-cracks or solder failures — that cause intermittent stalling, hard-to-diagnose no-starts and driveability problems that come and go with ambient temperature. A well-known WJ case: a 20… Repairs typically run $300-$1,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee In-Tank Fuel Pump Module Failure and Fuel-Level Sending Unit Fault (No-Start / Erratic Gauge)?
The combined in-tank fuel pump / level-sender module on the WJ Grand Cherokee wears out with age: the pump loses pressure (needs ~49-58 psi) causing crank-no-start or hot stalling, while the integrated sending-unit float/resistor card fails causing erratic or stuck fuel-gauge rea… Repairs typically run $250-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 1994-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Body/Unibody Rust-Through — Rocker Panels, Rear Wheel Arches and Floor Pans?
ZJ (1993-1998) and especially WJ (1999-2004) Grand Cherokees in salt/rust-belt climates are notorious for corrosion of the rocker panels, rear quarter/wheel-arch lips, floor pans and rear cargo area. Because these are unibody structures, the rot is both cosmetic and structural, a… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Instrument Cluster Gauge Dropout and Dimming Failure (WJ)?
The WJ-generation Grand Cherokee instrument cluster is a well-known weak point. Owners report gauges that suddenly stop working, read erratically, or dim so far they're unreadable even with the dash brightness turned all the way up. Causes range from loose/corroded cluster connec… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee NV247 Quadra-Trac II / NV242 Transfer Case Fluid Leak, Overheat and Bind/Chatter?
The WJ's on-demand NV247 (Quadra-Trac II) and full-time NV242 (Selec-Trac) transfer cases suffer fluid leaks from the case split-line, rear output slip-yoke seal and a plugged vent, plus a pressure/heat issue: many 1999 units were filled with the WRONG fluid from the factory. Low… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 1999-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Exhaust Manifold Bolt Failure and Manifold Leak on 4.7L V8?
The 4.7L V8 used in Grand Cherokee models is widely reported to develop broken exhaust manifold bolts or warped manifold sealing surfaces, especially after repeated heat cycles. Owners typically notice a ticking noise on cold start that may quiet as the engine warms, sometimes mi… Repairs typically run $400-$1,400. Severity: medium.
What is the 1994-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L Oil Filter Adapter Housing O-Ring Leak (Frequently Misdiagnosed as Rear Main Seal)?
The 4.0L inline-six routes oil through an aluminum oil-filter adapter housing bolted to the block; its O-rings harden and leak with age, dripping oil down the rear/side of the block. Because the oil migrates rearward, it is very commonly misdiagnosed as a rear main seal or oil-pa… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: low.
What is the 1994-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Front Blower Motor Resistor Failure — HVAC Fan Works Only on High Speed?
The HVAC blower-motor resistor on ZJ (1993-1998) and WJ (1999-2004) Grand Cherokees commonly burns out, leaving the fan working only on the highest setting (which bypasses the resistor). A worn blower motor drawing excess amperage cooks the resistor, and the connector often overh… Repairs typically run $40-$250. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.