Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
Hit a bump or pot hole or a man cover at 45 MPH and the car starts to shake and goes out of control. Almost been hit over 5 times because I have to slow down to stop the issue. Tires a new and I've been to the shop they say everything good for safety inspections but it's not good. If I would have known that Jeep is just try to kill it's car drivers I won't have buy the thing.
My 1999 Jeep Cherokee shakes violently at speeds over 50 MPH when I hit a slight unevenness in the road. I've had my Jeep inspected by a Jeep dealer, paid to repair the problem, and it still remains. This is a well-documented, repeated issue, that I, and many others have experienced, driving jeeps. It's been reported on by both abc news (http://abc7news.com/archive/8768540/) and fox news (http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/07/09/what-need-to-know-about-Jeep-death-wobble/) and acknowledged by Chrysler in a technical service bulletin. I went to my local Jeep dealership, Chrysler technical service bulletin in-hand, spent $1,000 to replace my entire steering system at their behest to correct what they claimed was causing the violent shaking I experienced when driving my Jeep on the highway, only to find, post-repair, after hitting a minor seam on the highway at a speed of 52 MPH, that the …
I was driving at 50 MPH and the vehicle started shaking violently and I had to slow down and pull over before the shaking would stop. Another time I was driving at 50 MPH again and hit a small bump and the violent shaking again occurred. Again I had to slow down considerably before it stopped shaking. This is known as death wobble and Chrysler knows it. They need to be held accountable for using cheap parts on jeeps.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, he felt the steering wheel shaking and the front end of the vehicle started vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that they had to replace the steering damper and the track bar. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 123,000.
Was driving vehicle went into a spin, and hit another vehicle. Had tried to correct steering wheel, but it would not move. Took vehicle to dealership, mechanic could not locate cause of problem. But, did repair tie rod damaged due to crash. A few days later , steering locked up again while turning from one street into another.
While driving on a highway the posted speed limit, my vehicle started shaking uncontrolably and I had to get off the highway to stop the car so the shaking will stop. I have had a number parts replaced such as the steering stabilizer, and the steering rod.
I was traveling 65mph, and feel asleep at the wheel. I woke up in the ditch and tried to get back on the road because an approach was coming. I was almost able to do that, but then the vehicle started to roll. It rolled two and a half times.
While vehicle was parked consumer noticed power steering hose had rubbed through. Every time wheel was turned it rubbed on power steering hose, next to exhaust manifold. Also had to replace transfer case. The power steering line is adjacent to universal joint on steering shaft, over time when steering wheel is turned, it will eventually wear through, this line is also near exhaust manifold which could cause a fire when steering fluid sprays onto a hot exhaust manifold, the replacement part has been redesigned to keep the line away from the steering shaft, consumer feels the dealer should be liable to replace the part since it is a design defect.
Steerings column has somtehing loose inside it. Can feel clunk in steering on initial acceleration, on broken pavement, and when coming to a stop. Can also feel the clunk through the brake pedal. There is no doubt, something is loose in the column. I am concerned about vehicle being safe to drive.
Consumer was sitting in parked vehicle with gear in park, and when trying to pull out of space, steering was turning, but going anywhere. Dealer never said why it broke, but any piece can break. That was why they have manufacturer's guarantee.
Steering complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.