VehicleVerdict

2000 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 508 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median Cherokee year — the 2000 model ranks #13 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (124), engine (82), and electrical system (57), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

508

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

32

Crash-involved

73

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Cherokee years?

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes12424%
Engine8216%
Electrical System5711%
Suspension336%
Transmission326%
Airbags265%
Steering255%
Tires & Wheels235%
Seats224%
Fuel System224%
Other122%
Latches & Locks102%
Speed Control102%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Body & Structure71%
Lighting71%
Seat Belts41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%

Does the 2000 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

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 MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

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, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

02V104000Fuel SystemApril 8, 2002 · 1,115,322 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L ENGINE ONLY, THE DESIGN OF THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS COULD ALLOW DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE AT THE #3 CYLINDER LOCATION.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MANIFOLD SHIELD TO MODIFY THE AIR FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AND TO PREVENT THE ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS IN THE AREA OF THE #3 CYLINDER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 68MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, TAPPED BRAKES TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL, RIGHT FRONT TIRE LOCKED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL ON THE VEHICEL HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD ON AT ABOUT 55MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TOOK VEHICEL INTO ONE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 24, 2001 · crash

WHILE INSURED WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON CENTRAL STARTED TO SEE SMOKE AND PULLED OVER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, INSURED STATED THAT FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE IGNITION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH EXPELLED FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ONTO HOT SURFACES OF THE EXHAUST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 5, 2001 · fire

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM HOOD. THIS WAS DUE TO THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD CATCHING ON FIRE. DEALER STATED WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE FIRE HAD CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMERS INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER A WEEK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 5, 2002 · fire

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM HOOD. THIS WAS DUE TO THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD CATCHING ON FIRE. DEALER STATED WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE FIRE HAD CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMERS INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER A WEEK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 5, 2002 · fire

WHILE INSURED WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON CENTRAL STARTED TO SEE SMOKE AND PULLED OVER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, INSURED STATED THAT FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE IGNITION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH EXPELLED FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ONTO HOT SURFACES OF THE EXHAUST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 5, 2001 · fire

2000 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2000 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 508 complaints put the 2000 model at #13 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (124 complaints), engine (82 complaints), electrical system (57 complaints).

Does the 2000 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Jeep Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2016, 2017, 2018, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997, 1990, 2020, 2001, 1991, 1989, 1992. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.