Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the factory installed amplifier caught fire while driving 75 MPH. He had to disconnect the battery to stop the sparks and flames coming from the amp. He also had to cut the wires that were connected to the amp and remove the fuse for the radio. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because the amp is positioned underneath the rear passenger seat where the child safety seat is located. The current and failure mileages were 142,000.
While traveling at 25 MPH driver noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Driver pulled over, called fire department. Police report was taken. Fire department believed the fire was electrical.
While driving the check engine light and air bag light illuminated and all of the gauges ceased to work properly. The speedometer would go blank and all lights on the dash board would dim. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem. This would occur when the vehicle is going in different speeds. The problem begun with the airbag, followed by the odometer, tachometer, and the speedometer dropping to zero. Then the check engine light would come on and "no bus" error message would appear on the odometer. Sometimes the gas, battery, temperature, and oil pressure gauge would fail as well. The problem would last from anywhere up to forty minutes or more. Corrosion was found where the harness plugs into the cluster. The vehicle had been to the dealer four times and still has not been repaired.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning. The contact would have to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle would occasionally restart. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and dealer. The vehicle has been repaired numerous times by local mechanics, but the failure stills persists. The contact noticed that the failure was identical to the one mentioned in NHTSA campaign id number 08V059000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer). The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 80,000.update 09/10/08 updated 09/15/08.
Near miss rear end collision due to brake lights and turn signal lights working intermittently. At times either the turn signals left and right will not work or the left and right rear brake light lamp assemblies will not work. Found a electrical grounding issue with left and right rear lamp assembly with regards to brake lights. With regards to the turn signals working intermittently problem unresolved. In addition, when vehicle is parked and locked at night the headlights and tail lamps come on and off for unknown reason.
Gas gauge fails periodically. Spoke to dealer, and was told if it is not broke don't fix it. Truck failed to start 4 days ago. Has it towed to local garage. I have been told I have a major electrical problem, but tech has not yet figured it out. Jeep only has 52,000 miles. Now mind you, since I have purchased this Jeep in 1999, it has only been to a certified Jeep dealer for all services. All recommended work has always been completed. This was the first time I brought it somewhere else, because I had to get it towed.
Fog light switch. Went to the dealer to get another switch , I was told that the switch # had been changed and the it is $186.00 which includes wiring" I asked if the wiring is recalled he said " no" so I bought the switch for $45.00 and it seems to work. I was wondering if Dodge knows that the wiring is bad? I have seen a Jeep in the junk yard that has a dash fire starting in that area? Your help is required for our safety & peace of mind!
Erratic, intermittent instrumentation cluster, failure (shut-down) while driving, including speedometer, oil pressure gauge, amp gauge, temperature gauge, odometer,gas gauge and tachometer gauge. Isolated occurrences without warning made it difficult to explain. Because of safety concerns this equipment failure as noted in company service bulletins (081599) should have been reported to the vehicle owners and repaired at Chrysler expense.
My speedometer does not work. I have had it fixed 2 times. Then it. Stops working again. My drivers seat rail broke on my Jeep and causes the seat to wobble all around. The seat are also broken in the same way on my 2000 Jeep and my 1996 Jeep too. What can be done. I have 4 Chrysler products. 3 jeeps have broken seats. 2 of the 4 have electrical issues. What can be done. Please let me know.
Randomly while driving the speedometer and tachometer (actually all gauges) will stop working, the airbag light comes on and sometimes the check engine light comes on too. If you hit the dashboard (sometimes it takes several hits) the gauges will start working again and the airbag light goes off. Haven't had it checked by a shop yet.
Electrical complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 6 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.