2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport from North America - Comments

I have a '99 XJ and I love it. I've had no major problem with it. I am currently having a problem with the ignition shutting off repeatedly when I start the vehicle. It doesn't happen often. Seems that it happens when I let the gas get too low and fill the tank. The Jeeps cranks strong, kicks right over, but dies in about 5 second. It will do this 20 times in a row, then it just starts and doesn't give me another problem for weeks. Any idea what is causing this? It doesn't seems to be plugs or wires because it doesn't misfire. It simply shuts itself off.

My ignition switch froze up on me a year ago and I had to have a mechanic disassemble it so I could drive it until a new switch inner barrel was replaced. I'm in Korea and the wait time for parts is long. I had no further problems until a few weeks ago and the ignition switch froze up again. The Jeep dealer garage in Icheon (Eech-on) South Korea is working the issue now. They are going to order an expensive array of ignition parts and completely rebuild this switch. My fear is that they will not get the computer codes correct to recognize the new key (The chip in the key must be programmed into the computer or the engine will not start). However, the mechanic showed me that you can hit the underside of the dash and/or steering column, and this tends to jar loose whatever is causing the lockup (Korean ingenuity). Also, I have become familiar with using a screwdriver to turn the disassembled electrical switch (This will work as long as the key is in the ignition barrel and turned to unlock the shifter and steering). If someone can tell me exactly why this malfunction occurs or how to fix it, I would love to hear it. hungboo@hotmail.com.

1999 Grand Cherokee Limited with the key not turning in the ignition. I live in Arizona and this is not a fun problem to have when the inside of your car is 180 degrees. jiggle key, reinsert, turn it over, swear, turn steering wheel, engage brake, swear, sweat. Eventually it starts. Then every third or fourth time the shifter won't move out of Park. Happens with all of our keys. Otherwise no problems with this jeep at all - 50,000+ miles. Have appt at dealer to fix on Monday. Anybody else with this problem???

I too have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport and have replace the steering stabilizer, front wheel joints, and have had the tire expert work with the new Firestone Dayton tires (trying 10 other tires) to end up with the same steering wheel vibration around 50-60 mph. Hope someone comes up with what the problem is... Drives me crazy.

My 1998 Cherokee Sport also has a problem with the ignition switch. The assembly seems very stiff to turn and in a short time we have managed to twist and break several keys. I brought it into a repair shop to have the mechanism replaced for $232 Canadian including parts and labor. It worked fine for about half a day and now we are back to fighting with this same problem. Occasionally the key will turn far enough to engage the starter, but will not spring back to the Run position, causing the starter to grind once the engine has started!

Is there a recall notice or some place to contact to get some action or permanent fixes to this problem?

I bought a "brand new" 2000 jeep cherokee, now it has 18,800 miles on it. I take good care of this jeep. waxed every month, 3000 miles/ oil changed. From time to time, tires wobbles for no reason at all. One time the ignition switch locked up and I cannot turn the key. Called Chrysler on the road 24 hour service and was told that it has been reported as a problem. Then after I missed the august 2003 warranty period, my car's AC decided to stop working. Got several estimates and the culprit was an evaporator which will cost me between $900.00 to $1200.00 to fix. I search the internet and it is not only me who's got a problem with Air conditioning unit. Looks like the German ownership is doing a good job of putting reliable parts on new jeeps!!!

I also have the ignition problem with my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. It started as just an annoyance about 4 months ago. That is, occasionally it would lock, but usually after one or two jiggles or reinsertions, it would turn.

However, I just spent an half hour down at the supermarket parking lot trying to get the blasted key to turn. No avail. Just walked home, found this site, and placed this comment. I will now walk back to my car and try using my spare key in the ignition. Does anyone think this will work?

Could it be the RF-ID(radio frequency identification) chip in the key wearing down causing the ignition to be unable to identify the key as the correct one??

Bought a used 2000 Cherokee Sport, It is having a problem when put into 4 wheel drive, it practically comes to a stop when trying to turn in a circle or sharper corners. The entire truck shakes and bucks when in 4x4. Any ideas comments. It has 73k miles.

Thanks.

Wow. Wish I had known about this site before purchasing my 2000 Cherokee Classic in July. At first, I was in love with it. Then it rained. Every time the roads are wet, I can't seem to get good traction. It slips and slides all over the place. No one can figure out why. (Treads are fine, I put extra weight in the back, etc.) Has anyone else had this problem and were you able to fix it?

I also have the problem with "wobbling", usually between 50-60 mph. And now, the brake petal thumps (very hard) from time to time when braking in snow and/or slush.

I have an 1999 Jeep Cherokee and had similar problems with front end shaking. I found one problem common too many Cherokees is that the front track bar can get loose or wear and the front axle will be miss aligned under the vehicle. I replaced the track bar with an after market adjustable along with a new stabilizer and I have had smooth sailing ever since. Another thing to watch out for on vehicles you are buying used is rear posi-traction. This will cause unusual handling under some adverse road conditions, but it is normal and is the trade off for better off road traction. Some of you have real problems, but it sounds like some of you aren't use to SUVs and some of their unusual traits. No I don't work for Jeep or and other car manufacture. Hope this helps!

I own a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Yesterday, after crossing a small pothole at approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel and the entire front end of my car, including the tires, began vibrating severely, and was rumbling very loudly, and I nearly lost control of the vehicle. It seemed like the entire car was going to shake itself apart. I thought I had a flat tire, but it wasn't flat. The problem happened three times yesterday, and I was nearly in an accident twice.

This problem had occurred before, and on three separate occasions. I took the car to the dealership each time, and they "fixed" three different things, but now this dangerous problem occurred again.

"21st Nov 2003, 19:34 Bought a used 2000 Cherokee Sport, It is having a problem when put into 4 wheel drive"

This is a result of the 4 wheel drive system sync'ing from 2 to 4 wheels. Because you have the Sport, you have the Command Trac which is ONLY for slippery conditions. Use it for any length of time on dry pavement and your system will be toast. You will notice that during any sharp turns, once the 4 wheel drive system is on, that the Jeep will buck. This is due to the fact that the front and read wheels turn at the same rate. If you turn the fronts then one of the tires has to travel less distance and will cause the "buck". This is not unusual. Selec-Trac (a better system that can be used on dry pavement) was only available on very limited Cherokees, unfortunately I've found even dealers are VERY uneducated about the different systems.

I've got a 92 Sport with Command-trac and 2001 with Selec-Trac. The Selectrac is much better, but will also buck for the first few feet upon switching in/out of 4 wd.

"Wow. Wish I had known about this site before purchasing my 2000 Cherokee Classic in July. At first, I was in love with it. Then it rained. Every time the roads are wet, I can't seem to get good traction. It slips and slides all over the place. No one can figure out why. (Treads are fine, I put extra weight in the back, etc.) Has anyone else had this problem and were you able to fix it?"

Yes, the problem is likely the tires that are on. I find certain Goodyears to be HORRIBLE in the rain. My 92 was on Goodyear Aquatreads and was downright dangerous in wet weather if you can believe this. It didn't matter that the tires had lots of tread and were fairly new. I also experienced the Goodyear's dangerous rain performance on a Trans-am then I switched to Firestone SZ-50 - much much better in the rain!

Solution: pick up a pair of Pirelli Scorpions for the rear (I'd get front and rear if I were you). Once these were on the slip and slide was eliminated completely... a whole different, but safer truck. Best investment I've made.

Hope this helps.

Just had a problem with the ignition switch (on my daughter's 2000 Jeep Cherokee 38 K miles) not turning and had it replaced today. $265.39 later I decided to look up problems of the same nature and found this site.

Just for your knowledge, it appears this is a common problem, but is NOT addressed by Jeep. So common that when I called the AAA people to have it towed, they said this is common. Further, when I went to meet the tow truck (in -15F below weather) the tow driver asked me what happened and I told him. He immediately responded that it happens quite often and they "just keep towing these babies".

Has anyone had any luck in getting their money back for this repair?? I for one am willing to stand tall and become involved. Let me know at... pnealon2003@yahoo.com.

Regards and good luck with your Jeeps.

I had the same problem yesterday. Key will not turn. I called Chrysler and my dealer and they say it is the locking mechanism that is bound up and not allowing the key to turn. Is that what you replaced?