RoadVitals

2000 Jeep Cherokee Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Aug 26, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 369 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Jeep Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND A MESSAGE INDICATING THE KEY WAS NOT RECOGNIZED WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. LINDSEY CHRYSLER (8100 CENTREVILLE RD, MANASSAS, VA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11246440
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 7, 2015

I BELIEVER THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT 2000 4.0L V6 HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE COME A THREAT IF SUCH WIRES SHOULD CREATE A FIRE OF SOME SORT... FOR YEARS THE ONLY WAY TO OPERATE THE WINDOWS ON THE VEHICLE IS BY DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS, THE PASSENGER CANNOT OPERATE THE WINDOW WITH THEIR CONTROL. STRANGE THING, IS IF ON THE DIVERS SIDE YOU HIT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SWITCH BACK AND FOURTH THE PASSENGER CAN GAIN CONTROL OF THE WINDOW OPERATION IE UP/DOWN, ONLY ON A TEMPORARY BASIS. THE TIME FRAME OF PASSENGER OPERATION IS VERY SHORT... THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE DOOR LOCKS, THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WHEN USING THE FOB TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, AND SOMETIMES THE LOCKS WORK AND YOU HEAR THE CLICK OF THEM LOCKING. OTHER TIMES THE LIGHTS WILL FLASH BUT THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPERATE AT ALL, AND IF YOUR SITTING IN THE JEEP AND HIT THE LOCKS YOU CAN HEAR A CLICK BUT NOT IN THE DOORS BUT IN THE HEADLINER JUST ABOUT WHERE THE DOME LIGHT IS... I FEEL ALL OF THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE CONCERNING, AND SHOULD BE SOMETHING JEEP CORP SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY..... PROBLEMS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD....

NHTSA ID
10746999
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 4, 2015

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN MARCH OF 15, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WAS TOLD IT WAS ON BECAUSE THEY CHANGED THE GAS CAP ON IT IN JUNE OF 15 I WAS AT A STORE PARKED WENT INTO THE STORE CAME BACK OUT TRUCK WOULDN'T START NO LIGHTS NOTHING JUMPING DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HAD TO TOW IT HOME, THEN TOW IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS THE STARTER AND WE PLACED THAT ( $394.93) TRUCK RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS SAME THING, GOING TO TOW IT THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN NEXT WEEK

NHTSA ID
10731956
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2015
Fire reported

FIRE STARTED IN LEFT REAR QUARTER OF VEHICLE. IT WAS CAUSED BY WIRING TO REAR DEFOGGER, LIGHTS & REAR WIPER HARNESS. DAMAGE TO WIRING, TRIM PANELS MELTED, HEAD LINER DAMAGE, OUTER BODY PAINT BLISTERED ABOVE FUEL FILLER DOOR. IT WAS JUST LUCK THAT IT WAS SNOWING SO I USED THE SNOW TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE BY INSURANCE CO. WAS $2961.00. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705243
Incident
Feb 22, 2014
Mileage
143,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 18, 2015

THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH OVER HEATED/MELTED THE BEZEL SUPPORT AND CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676318
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Mileage
135,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 14, 2013

AIR BAG LIGHT ON (DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL WORK IF NEEDED), HORN WON'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL WONT WORK = CLOCKSPRING. SAFETY ISSUE. NO HORN NO AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503020
Incident
Mar 14, 2013
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jan 18, 2013

STARTED THE CAR AND PULLED AWAY AND WHEN THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR BUZZED LOUD AND IN A 3 WEEK PERIOD THERE ARE 3 OUT OF FOUR DOORS THAT BUZZ LOUD WHEN LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493445
Incident
Dec 13, 2012
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 23, 2010

2000 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES RANDOMLY AND REPEATEDLY. NOT RELATED TO ACTUAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT MAY RENDER AIRBAG UNUSABLE. DANGEROUS CONDITION. COMMON CONSUMER COMPLAINT. ALL PASSENGER WINDOW ACTUATOR SWITCHES ARE UNUSABLE. WINDOWS WILL ONLY WORK AT DRIVER PANEL. SAFETY ISSUE IF PASSENGERS HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS.VERY COMMON CONSUMER COMPLAINT. OBD ERROR CODES ARE INACCURATE (ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING TO EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS P0441, P0442). DIAGNOSIS OFTEN LEAD TO UNNEEDED REPAIRS AND COSTLY REPLACEMENT OF SENSORS AND COMPUTER WITHOUT CAUSE. COMMON CONSUMER COMPLAINT. DRIVER SEAT SUPPORT STRUCTURE BREAKS. EVEN WHEN DRIVEN ONLY IN ORDINARY DRIVING CONDITIONS AND NOT STRESSED UNUSUALLY. MUST BE REWELDED OR REPLACED. SEAT IS NO LONGER STRUCTURALLY SAFE. COMMON CONSUMER COMPLAINT ALL OF THESE ARE DESIGN ISSUES AND NOT SERVICE/MAINTENANCE RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10357094
Incident
Sep 20, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2010

I HAVE A 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE, THAT WHENEVER IT HITS A BUMP ON THE ROAD, THE GAUGES START TO DIE. FIRST THE AIRBAG LIGHT , THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. AFTER THAT THE ODOMETER DIES, SO I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I AM GOING. SOMETIMES ALL THE GAUGES FAIL. WHEN I HIT ANOTHER BUMP ON THE ROAD EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I TRIED TO HAVE THIS FIXED, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR JEEP AND CHRYSLER, MY MECHANIC LOOKED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DASH. IT IS SOMEWHERE IN THE CABLES, USUALLY IT TAKES CHRYSLER A COUPLE OF DAYS(HE TOLD ME FROM HIS EXPERIENCE, FROM HIS OTHER CUSTOMERS) AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY EVEN FIND THE FAULTY WIRE. AND EVEN AFTER THEY "FIND THE PROBLEM" MOST LIKELY IT WILL COME BACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10349750
Incident
Jan 27, 2009
Mileage
11,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 11, 2010

2000 JEEP CHEROKEE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED. AIR BAG AND HORN WILL NOT WORK. CHRYSLER STATE COST TO REPAIR $249 +. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308645
Incident
Jan 10, 2010
Mileage
157,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 17, 2008

LOW OIL PRESSURE: I CHANGE MY OIL AS SPECIFIED IN MANUAL. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE A DROP IN OIL PRESSURE. WHEN DRIVING THE JEEP MY OIL PRESSURE IS NOW AT NO MORE THAN 25PSI AND IT DROPS TO ZERO WHEN IDLE. ON MY LAST OIL CHANGE I HAD THE ENGINE CHECKED AND THERE WERE NO CRACKS AND NO MISFIRE. I HAD A TUNE UP DONE ON THE VEHICLE IN SEPT 2008. ENGINE AND EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING FINE. AS FOR THAT DAY I HAVE TO GET THE JEEP TO MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK. THIS PAST SUMMER THE JEEP ALSO WOULD OVER HEAT IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER AND IT MOSTLY HAPPENED WHEN THE AC WAS TURNED ON. TOOK IT MECHANIC AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT WITH A LOWER TEMP AND SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER THE JEEP STARTED TO OVERHEAT AGAIN. REPLACED THE RELAY AS IT TESTED BAD. WHILE REPLACING THE RELAY THE FAN BROKE. THE BLADES COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FAN MOTOR IN A WHOLE PIECE. REPLACED FAN. NEVER THOUGHT I HAD ANY COOLANT LEAKS AND NEVER FOUND ANY BUT THE COOLANT WILL NOT STAY IN THE RESERVOIR. IT JUST DISAPPEARS. I HAD THE ENGINE INSPECTED AGAIN AND NO CRACKS AND THE OIL APPEARED TO BE FINE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE? ANYTHING? IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN AFFORD ANEW CAR OR THOUSANDS IN PARTS AND LABOR. ALSO HAVE OTHER ISSUES I WELL 1ST ANOTHER COMPLAINT FOR THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252069
Incident
Dec 16, 2008
Mileage
159,600 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION POWER. THE VEHICLE HESITATED EXCESSIVELY, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THAT TIME. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE CRANK SENSOR AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,325 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,475. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10245557
Incident
Jul 25, 2008
Mileage
65,325 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 24, 2007

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNSA 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND THEN HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL. THE CONTACT SENT THE MANUFACTURER THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND WAS DENIED THE REIMBURSEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10180620
Incident
Jan 19, 2007
Mileage
85,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ABOUT 30 SECONDS AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE FAILED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER WAS A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10176948
Incident
Dec 20, 2006
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2005

WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. THIS IS THE THIRD OCCURRENCE. I WILL LIST THE DATE OF FIRST OCCURRENCE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140909
Incident
Oct 13, 2005
Mileage
69,600 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Apr 6, 2005

2000 JEEP CHEROKEE ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE PISTON. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THEY STATED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT FROST PLUG HEATER TO COME OUT AND THAT THE NO 1 AND 2 PISTON MELTED DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE RUBBER AROUND ALL FOUR DOORS SHRUNK TO THE POINT THAT WIND AND WATER WOULD COME THROUGH. PERIODICALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CHROME ON THE WHEELS WAS CORRODED AND COMING OFF. THE FRONT PASSENGER ELECTRIC LOCK WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE WHEN THE DOORS WERE LOCK OR UNLOCKED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10117716
Incident
Dec 24, 2004
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2005

THE 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY DIAGRAM FOR THE FUSE PANEL OR A MEANS TO DETERMINE WHICH FUSE OR RELAY PROTECTS A PARTICULAR CIRCUIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL REFERS TO A CHART ON OR NEAR THE PANEL, AND THE ACCESS DOOR TO THE PANEL CONTAINS AN IMPRINT REFERING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. SEVERAL SAFETY RELATED SYSTEMS ARE ROUTED THROUGH THE FUSE PANEL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10105784
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 2004

MANUFACTURER'S OMISSION OF CRITICAL INFORMATION FROM OWNERS' MANUAL AND VEHICLE COMPONENTS. USE CIRCUIT LABELS DO NOT EXIST FOR THE FUSE PANEL LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THIS VEHICLE. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT ONE SHOULD REFER TO THE FUSE PANEL COVER. THE FUSE PANEL COVER, HOWEVER, STATES THAT ONE SHOULD REFER TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION (E.G. REMOTE BREAKDOWN OR FAILURE OF LIGHTING CIRCUIT, WIPERS,ETC.) IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. EACH FUSE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND A SPARE REINSERTED TO VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT EACH IS FUNCTIONAL.FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED DESPITE CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10098118
Incident
Jan 31, 2000
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 8, 2004

THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEFECTS WERE REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091554
Incident
Aug 17, 2004
Mileage
21,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP START, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10079447
Incident
Mar 25, 2004
Mileage
66,859 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 31, 2004

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND HORN DOESN'T WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10064276
Incident
Aug 20, 2003
Mileage
43,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 18, 2003

LAST AUG (2002) MY IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP (WOULD NOT TURN WITH KEY INSERTED). THIS STARTED OUT ONLY OCCURRING OCCASIONALLY. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS IT LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND I HAD A MECHANIC DISASSEMBLE THE SYSTEM SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO THE JEEP WARRANTY GARAGE IN SEOUL SOUTH KOREA. THEY REPLACED THE INNER IGNITION SWITCH BARREL. THE IGNITION SWITCH WORKED FINE UNTIL THIS YEAR (AUG 2003) WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. NOW I'M WORKING WITH ANOTHER JEEP DEALERSHIP IN ICHEON SOUTH KOREA, TRYING TO GET THIS THING REPAIRED SO AS NOT TO RE-OCCUR. MY 3 YEAR WARRANTY RAN OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND MALFUNCTION AND SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD SUPPLY AN ENTIRE NEW IGNITION SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS TO COMPLETELY REBUILD THE INNER BARREL, OUTER CASE THAT HOLDS THE BARREL, SWITCHES AND LOCKS FOR ANTI-THEFT COMPONENTS AND ANY OTHER LINKED HARDWARE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN VIRGINIA AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY STATIONED IN KOREA AND SHIPPED THE VEHICLE HERE AT THAT TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10039091
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Mileage
27,850 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Sep 5, 2003

DOOR AND WINDSHIELD WONT WORK PROPERLY. DEALER STATED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10038297
Incident
Sep 5, 2003
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 29, 2003

I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT ROTORS AT 35,000 - CHRYSLER SAID IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULDN'T FIX THEM. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A SEAL ON THE GAS TANK. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. A $2.00 WIRE BROKE INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR FOR THE FRONT SPEAKER AT 43,000 MILES AND THEY CHARGED ME $200.00 TO FIX IT. THE SALESMAN SOLD ME A CONVENIENCE PACKAGE THAT WAS PURPORTED AS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WAS ACTUALLY A TOWING AND RENTAL CAR PACKAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10030375
Incident
Jul 29, 2003
Electrical
Filed Sep 10, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT 5 MILES AND PARKED WHEN A NEIGHBOR NOTICED FIRE. CONSUMER STATED FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8018343
Incident
Aug 5, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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