Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
While backing out of the driveway, the driver placed the vehicle in park and got out. After getting out, the vehicle had gone into reverse, struck the driver and crashed into a neighbor's garage. The dealer was not able to determine the cause of the problem without tearing apart the automatic transmission. There were recalls for the 1993-1998 models.
Since there is no catagory for this issue I had to put visibility/wiper in order to even submit this form. There is no catagory for the heating system which there are a lot of problems!!! The accuator doors regulating the heat to the inside of the vehicle are broken. I thought by replacing the motor which controls them it would fix it. No such luck the doors are broken and not only are they almost impossible to reach without pulling the entire dashboard and console, the cost for it will be around $1500 and that is absurd for a part which is less than $100. The labor will be about $1300 to get to it. What is wrong with these people can't they design a vehicle that can be worked on without taking it apart to a level which makes me want to junk the car!! They should have put something other than plastic to control the heat in the vehicle. …
On July 4, 2000, our 1999 Jeep Cherokee jumped from park into drive and covered approx. 40 feet before plummeting into a hole being dug for the foundation of our new home with our then 15-mo. Son inside. The Jeep flipped onto its roof trapping our son (who had fallen asleep inside) upside down within inches of more than a foot of water that had collected at the bottom. Fortunately we were able to rescue our son who was uninjured. The Jeep was in park with the ac on full and was stationary for more than 15 minutes on level ground before jumping into drive. I have pictures of the Jeep at the scene and the conditions prior to the accident, as well as a police report. I would like to help make sure no one ever has to experience something so horrifying (and potentially fatal) again.
While down shifting to second gear at 40 MPH, the engine accelerated at a higher rate. The consumer pulled over and had the vehicle towed. The consumer had taken the vehicle to a private mechanic and did not plan on contacting the Jeep dealership about the problem. The cause was not determined. The vehicle was slowed down when the engine started revving, it was then switched to a lower gear and proceeded, then was placed back into drive in which it was slowed down and the engine started revving again in a lower gear but did not work. The vehicle would jerk and knock when placed in the engine when placed in park. (the u-joint failed) the consumer was informed the vehicle needed an oxygen sensoe.
The Jeep was in park with the keys out of the ignition and my son who is five years of age accidently knocked the car out of park. It went into neutral and went down the driveway across the street and up in to my neighbor's yard and came back down the yard and was physically stopped by a neighbor before it hit our rural mailbox. Ther were approximately 20 children playing n the cul-de-sac. This all happened with my five year old son inside the vehicle. To repeat the keys were not in the vehicle, yet it could still be manuvered into gear accidently by a five year old. It was a miracle that no one was injured or killed due to the activity level of our street at the time.
Car was put into parking spot in front of apt building. Park setting of auto transmission was engaged. Vehicle was left running. Parking brake was not engaged. Driver began to exit vehicle noticed vehicle was moving forward. Driver got back into drivers seat to attempt to stop vehicle. This parking spot has only a small curb in front of parking spot. Beyond the curb is a steep bank. Car proceeded over curb and as soon as front wheels went over curb car traveled down embankment, struck 2 vehicles and came to rest. I noticed 2 1998 Jeep cherokees have been reported to odi for same problem.vehicle had some visible damage but May be totalled for damage to frame.
Crash - I rear ended another vehicle in my 1999 Jeep Cherokee sport. I was braking when the car suddenly accelerated, driving me into the vehicle in front of me. This has happened before, but only this time did it result in an accident. I took it to a certified Jeep dealership and had the service department check it out. They said nothing is wrong with it. I am pretty nervous about this. I know how hard I was braking, and it just didn't matter. The car was working against me. I had to throw it into park just to stop the car.
I drove my Jeep to a home, parked in the driveway, left the car running about 5-10 minutes. As I was locking the door leaving the home I turned and saw the Jeep going in reverse toward the road, I ran to the Jeep to try and get in and control the Jeep, I slipped under the vehicle and it ran over both my legs. It came to a complete stop about 30-50 feet after it ran me over. I was taken to the hospital, treated and released. I have not yet had the car looked at by a mechanic.
Jeep lemon!!! Terrible vehicle, terrible company!! This vehicle should be recalled immediately for these two issues, among others! I have almost rearended someone, by lookingback to see if I was rear ended due to the hard shift. The brakes shake so much under braking that I did rear end someone, however there was no noticable damage to either vehicle.
Consumer started vehicle, then had to get out of vehicle, left it in park with engine running, as he stepped out of vehicle, it started going backward. He was trapped between garage wall and driver door. He managed to get in to vehicle and shut off engine. Consumer suffered bruises. Damage unknown at this time, vehicle still at dealership.
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 14% of the model year's 366 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › park/neutral start interlock switch (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.