VehicleVerdict

2001 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 329 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Cherokee year — the 2001 model ranks #17 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (64), engine (51), and transmission (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

329

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

25

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Cherokee years?

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6419%
Engine5116%
Transmission247%
Suspension247%
Electrical System227%
Airbags216%
Seats185%
Steering165%
Other134%
Fuel System124%
Lighting113%
Tires & Wheels113%
Visibility & Wipers103%
Body & Structure93%
Seat Belts93%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)52%
Speed Control52%
Latches & Locks21%
Driver Assistance10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2001 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

8 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.

00V366000Child SeatNovember 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE AND ROLE THREE TIMES. VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 3, 2003 · crash

INSURED NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, THERE WAS FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, INSURED WAS NOT SURE IF ELECTICAL OR FUEL RELATED. CLAIM NUMBER 45-8024-144. *YH

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 14, 2001 · fire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL GRADE, GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME LESS THAN 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD, CRASHING THROUGH A FENCE, SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS, THEN DOWN AN ENBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2001 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK DRASTICALLY. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AXLE SHEARED AND THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 11, 2008 · crash

CONSUMER WAS WORKING UNDER HOOD WITH A WRENCH, IT SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HAND, FELL ONTO BATTERY POSITIVE CONNECTOR, AND STARTED A SHORTAGE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. DAMAGES WERE $770. MANUFACTRES HAS NO PLANS OF ADDING RUBBER OVER CONNECTOR THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2001 · fire

2001 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2001 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 329 complaints put the 2001 model at #17 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (64 complaints), engine (51 complaints), transmission (24 complaints).

Does the 2001 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 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.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.