2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport from North America - Comments

I had the front wheel vibration problem on my 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. A new steering stabilizer fixed it.

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Ignition locked up, my wife is out there now trying to get help from Chrysler 800#.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, on a side note, our door locks have been acting up for a couple of months. They make a lot of noise when engaged and the driver's door doesn't always "catch." We usually have to manually lock that door. Seems like it is somehow stuck? Wondering if anybody else has experienced this?

Thanks,

Matt

SF, CA USA.

SOLUTION to Ignition Lock Problem on Grand Cherokee:

This is a fix that one of the Jeep Service guys showed the tow truck driver, after he mentioned that he gets about "one of these a week" when he was dropping my Jeep off...

Use carefully and at your own risk.

1. Remove Ignition key from the key chain, so that it is a single, lone key--nothing else.

2. Place key in the ignition.

3. Tap the top of the key gently, but firmly, with a small/med. rubber mallet. (Top of key refers to the round part that would normally connect to the key ring. This means the direction you are hitting the key in, is as if you are trying to hit it further into the lock, in the normal direction the key enters the ignition.)

4.) Jiggle Key slightly while tapping the key with mallet.

5.) Keep trying to turn the ignition while tapping the key with the mallet.

Note: What you are trying to accomplish, is to get the tumblers that normally fall down around the key--but are now stuck in an upward position--to loosen up enough to fall down and surround the key and allow you to turn it.

Note: Take special care not to hit the key so hard that it breaks off in the ignition.

Note: This procedure is not intended to allow you to avoid having to replace the ignition mechanism. It is only intended to let you start the vehicle and avoid having to pay up to $125 (it cost me $100) to have your Jeep towed to the nearest dealership. (Even AAA or other Auto clubs will only tow you to the nearest service station.)

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I can't promise a timely answer, because I am busy--but I will certainly try to clarify anything for you and help you if I can... remove the NOSPAMs from the address:

ModerndaymarconiNOSPAM@aol.NOSPAMcom.

Also, I would suggest copying all of your receipts related to this expense and submit it to Jeep Corporate with a letter saying something about this happening with great frequency, mention the message boards, mention what my tow truck driver said (Gets one per week). This should have been a recall matter, but since they didn't handle it that way, they should reimburse us for these costs as it is clearly a design/manufacturing flaw.

All the best,

Matt.

My 2000 Grand Cherokee Limited is also suffering from the ignition key won't term syndrome. This has been going on since I bought the car (36600) miles. I plan to be difficult when I go to the dealer to pick it up (with the new tumbler installed) This is definitely unacceptable in a vehicle of such limited mileage.

Tch.

Previous Entry: "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 experienced the same problem, when starting from a stop in my 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport, during snow or rain. I put it in 4WD for a few seconds, until I get going and then drop it back to 2WD for regular traction.

I have also just started experiencing the front end vibration at 45 - 55 mentioned in many of the comments. My mileage is 65K. The problem is getting worse. I balanced, rotated and bought new tires, and the problem didn't change. So I don't think it is in the tires. I am going to try the suggestion of replacing the steering stabilizer, and inspect the track bar. I inspected the drive shafts for a thrown weight, but found no issues. If the steering stabilizer and/or track bar don't work, I will try and find someone to dynamically balance the wheels on the car.

2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Rear end carrier bearings uneven wear causing failure @ 23000 miles. Rear lube from factory never changed, but brown and chalky. Dealer quote "car has been submerged". Never happened. Rebuilt @ dealer. Now rear end full of metal flake, after 3 changes, flake in lube each change. Three changes done within 2000 miles. Dealer refuses to make adjustment repair or replace. July 28, 2004.

I also purchased a 2001 jeep cherokee, with 22,850 miles, but when I took it for a short test drive, I really didn't not get up to highway speed, stayed in city. But after purchase, and driving it over the highway, the steering wheel would also shake between 53 and 58 mph, and when taking hand off steering, the vehicle would always wonder to the left, yes I tried it on all highway road surfaces, still didn't matter. Had the wheels and tires balanced twice, still didn't help. Had a four wheel alignment, 49.99 took about 10 minutes, man said the toe was slightly adjusted, but still does same thing. We took it for test drive, no better, in fact worse. Then the stories he made up, road crown, and other excuses, I question the mans experience, he would tell me one thing and reverse his statement the next. Anyhow I still have the same problem. I have a 1989 jeep charokee, and it has 225,000 miles, and it drives great. I believe I am going to take the wheels and tires off it and place on the 2001. See if that solves the 2001 shake problem, Any other suggestions appreciated. Bob.

I have a 1999 Grand Cherokee. My ignition key is difficult to turn. I followed the previous advise about tapping the end of the key and got it to turn. But, I still have the problem to deal with. Does any one know of a recall or warranty issue with this since it is a reoccuring issue? I am sure it will cost big bucks to fix.

Thanks, LC.

My Jeep Cherokee 2000 just hit 66,000 miles and the air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. Mechanic says the evaporator is leaking and must be replaced. $850.00. Anyone else have this problem?

The air conditioning on my Jeep Cherokee also gave out about 2-3 summers ago (like the second or third summer I owned it). Mechanic said he would have to take out the dash to repair and it would cost between $800-1000. Too much for my blood and not worth it.

Also get thumping noise in rear wheels when I break. This seems to happen most in the snow or rain or immediately thereafter.

I've got an old diesel Cherokee 1992. I haven't yet experienced the problems you people are talking about.

Mine is an old car!

Went to buy the family a Christmas tree today, and after tying the tree on the top of the jeep (2000 cherokee), the key wouldn't turn in the ignition. This apparently is a common problem. Had to leave jeep at the market will go back tomorrow morning and try the tapping resolution so that I can drive it to the dealer. Very upset as tree trimming plans interrupted and what this is going to cost me...

I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee and also a 1999 Grand Cherokee, I have the ignition problem too. I have had to walk home twice and leave it at work once (the 2000) this is probably the most frustrating thing I have ever seen. It doesn't matter how much you wiggle or jiggle the key it won't turn. If you return several hours later the key will turn like there was never a problem!! Of course the dealership will get in and say "It started fine for me" and tell me I must have not been doing something right" Like I don't know how to turn a key!" I have owned 12 Jeeps and for the most part loved them all, but I must say I think the 2000 is my last.

Add me to the ever growing list of people with ignition problems with Jeeps. We bought our daughter a 1999 Grand Cherokee a few months ago and yesterday she experienced the problem with the key not turning the switch. She was stranded and needed a tow. After reading all of these comments I will contact Jeep to place my complaint, perhaps if enough customers do, a recall might take place.

I too have been experiencing the key problem since I purchased my 1999 grand cherokee last year pre-owned. I love the truck, but it has been having this key issue with the ignition since I brought it. but I would jigle the key and turn the steering wheel and wait awhile and suddenly it would release. this past weekend I was packed and on my way out of town for a trip, reservations made and guess what the key once again wouldn't turn. I tried all my normal stuff, but nothing worked. I even tried tapping the key, still nothing, but frustration and anger. I ended up towing the truck to the dealer today after messing with it for 2 days. I feel they know about this problem because my tow truck guy has had calls for the same truck and my friend has the same truck and this was his first issue with his truck. I plan to write a letter to the company, the estimate to fix in my area is $87.00 for the ignition, $40.00 to set the cylinder and $5.00 to make the key, and $140.00 for the labor... towing was another extra charge depending on distance to the dealership after 15 miles.

Md resident.