2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport from North America - Comments

Front end and steering wheel shake at 48-55mph from day one purchase. Took delivery thinking all I had to do was get wheels/tires balanced. Wrong. From Sep 99 to Jan 00 dealer went through 20 wheels and 12 tires to get 5 and 5 that were in specification. We had over 50% outright rejection rate. In Jan00 the problem (shake) was finally fixed. But, 3000 miles later in Apr00 it was back. Everything was checked: front end, bearings, rotors, steering, alignment, axles, transmission... all good. We found that of the 5 good wheels in Jan00, 3 were now "marginal within spcification." Of the 5 tires, 2 were "marginal" and one was "reject." Chrysler refused any further repair saying my wheels/tires were "in specification and vehicle was performing with inherent characteristics." Right. Then why after it was fixed in Jan00 did the wheels and tires warp to "marginal" and "reject?"

Went to arbitration and was DENIED an upgrade to different wheels and tires and was DENIED repurchase. Apparently I didn't present a good case. Yet the work orders (about 10 or more) show a total of 10 wheels "rejected," 6 wheels "marginal," and 4 "replaced." Right now I have only 2 "pass" wheels and 2 "pass" tires. I believe the problem is in the specification of the tires and wheels. Wheels can be up to .040" in lateral runout and still be in spec. You can actually see the wheel wobble with the naked eye while it is on the balancer. You cannot balance out a warped wheel or tire. When they wobble, the steering shakes. This fight is not over.

Other problems include drivers side mirror replaced twice but still shakes.

Also, the steering wheel cocks to the right a half inch every time you go in and out of 4-wheel drive. After about 6 or 7 shifts and drives, I get a steering wheel that points 55 degrees to the right while driving straight.

This has been a nightmare. I was a previous Jeep owner for 5 years 89-94 and never had this much stress.

I am seeing the first stages of this same situation. My Cherokee Sport does exactly the same thing (shakes and vibrates). The dealer has replaced countless numbers of axle and rear bearing parts, yet the vibrations still occur. I told them it was my opinion that the wheels need to be balanced, yet they (the mechanics) say the wheels are just fine. I have only 800 miles on the car and I want to give it back.

I have the same problem with tire vibration at 50+ MPH, tire balancing done at the dealer... no significant improvement, but was told by the service manager that it was all the manufacturer would pay for under the warranty.

Further, I have experienced temporary loss of air conditioning. The service department has not been able to isolate the problem, but suspects the problem is in the ignition switch. I was again told by the service manager that the factory would not stand behind a supposition and replace the ignition switch, so from time to time I am without AC here in the Arizona desert.

The result of calling customer relations as suggested by the service manager at the dealership was less than satisfactory. I was received rudely and told until the exact problem could be documented by the dealer, no best guess solutions would be provided by Jeep Corporate and I would have to live with the air conditoning lapses or pay out of my own pocket to have ignition switch replaced. Not what I expected from Jeep, I traded a VW Passat and had excellent service from the manufacturer on any problem I had under warranty.

I currently am experiencing the exact problem with the shaking and steering wheel and had it diagnoised as my rear thrust was out of alignment. Then had it repaired under warranty to have the job hacked. I no longer have a spring pin in the axle housing but a bolt you can find in a garage and they oblonged the hole so now my rear end can slide back 3/8". I was told the jeep came from the factory.042" out on the thrust. I had put on over 9000 miles driving this that way-what other damage may have been done I am sure I will come to find out. I do not care to own this and am completly dissatisfied with the vehicle itself, and the service I have received from the dealer and from Diamler Chrysler in Michigan. We as consumers have no rights once they sell you a vehicle. My case is still pending but I forsee a long road ahead of fixing and fixing...

I have a 2001 Cherokee (XJ) Limited 4WD with Selec-Trac. I have had it for 7 months. It has 3,000 miles on it. I have no shaking at all. It rides smooth & quiet, a little jagged over bumpy roads - but, it's a Jeep. I love it!

It has every option that was available on it. MSRP was $28,140. Heated Leather Dual Power Seats, CD & Cassette, and everything else. No problems at all. I do find that the quality of the leather is "entry-level" and cannot compare to that in my Cadillac Fleetwood.

SHEESH!!! I have had four cherokees from 1991 thru 1997 and only experienced minor maintenance problems. Sounds like Daimler-Chrysler has not been good to JEEP! I'll keep my old ones.

I have experienced a problem with the ignition switch on my 1999 Jeep Cherokee Classic getting stuck. It will not turn. I had it towed back to the dealer and they replaced the ignition switch for $198.00 plus tax. I have checked the net for this problem, but there does not appear to be very much out there about this problem. The only reason I thought that there might be more about this is because a good friend of mine had the same problem with his 1990 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Anyone else had any experience with this problem?

WScheuerma@AOL.com.

I have also had the same problem with the ignition switch in my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It locks up and just won't turn. Thus far the dealer hasn't made any fixes because they cannot "reproduce" the problem.

I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ and when I hit a bump a certain way it shakes uncontrollably. It feels like the front end is about to fall off. Does anybody have an idea of what this could be? I have not altered the suspension, so I have no idea what it is.

I just bought a 2000 Cherokee sport with 55000 miles. I have the steering vibration, front end shaking, paint flaws

fuel light on when tank is full. I had no idea this is just another Chrysler piece of junk. I've bought a new neon lemon a few years back complete with all the horrer stories with terrible experiences with the service dept. This is the very last Chrysler product for me new or used.

The 99 jeep Cherokee had a security feature added to the key and if you were to take the key to get ones made at a hardware store and you take those and try to use them in you ignition it won't turn or work that may be your problem.

Boy, I wish I had found this site BEFORE we bought our 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport! We had done so much research on Cherokees that we thought we were getting a great car, but alas, we get the front end shakes too at 48-55 mph. It goes away at higher speeds, but still, I wouldn't think a car with only 32,000 miles would have such problems.

We also just had to get new brakes on it. Horror story at the repair shop and $500 later to be told the calipers on the brakes are a problem for Jeeps. (That was another $300 to repair). They & the brakes wear out unevenly. According to the dealer, it is known that Jeeps have quick wear with brakes, but as long as it is within "industry standards" it isn't considered a defect. (IE: not covered by warranty no matter how many times you have to replace them!) And this isn't even a 4WD.

Also, we will be buying new tires for this car soon as the front ones have worn very strangely (that 4 repair shops can't explain and they've never seen before) the back ones are almost bald. Odd, considering again that the car has 32,000 miles and these are stock/factory tires.

We purchased the car believing Jeeps were good, long-lasting & reliable cars, but our recent repairs and cash flowing out of the pockets is starting to make us wonder.

Has anyone else had such issues?

I have had the same steering problem as well. I have taken my car in 4 times since purchased and have had every thing replaced regarding my steering and multiple tires have been replaced as well. After all of that, my steering wheel still stakes around 50 mph and the wheels skip on turns! My steering wheel is very tight and difficult to turn. I am taking it in again.

I called Jeep's "WORLD" customer center at (800) 992-1997 and explained that I have read over 50 complaints regarding the same issue. He said I am the first to call. Please do us all a favor and call in if you have the same issues.

Bought a 1995 Cherokee. Was not forewarned about the Jeep Death Rattle. I too have the problem of the vehicle shaking uncontrollably when traveling at 45 mph or better and hitting any significant bump. Have yet to find a definite answer.

Just a question for all of you who have had the front-end vibration and had it serviced: Did you have the steering stabilizer replaced? I've seen 3 Jeeps with this problem and as soon as the stabilizer was replaced the vibration disappeared.

Jason- North Carolina.

I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee that is locked. I insert the key, but it won't turn. The steering wheel is locked and I can't shift gears. I am using the original key. Does any one knows what's wrong. Is it the ignition switch that needs to be replaced? Thanks.