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 2000 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Fire started in left rear quarter of vehicle. It was caused by wiring to rear defogger, lights & rear wiper harness. Damage to wiring, trim panels melted, head liner damage, outer body paint blistered above fuel filler door. It was just luck that it was snowing so I used the snow to put out the fire. Estimated damage to vehicle by insurance co. Was $2961.00.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. After inserting the key into the ignition switch, the vehicle would not start and a message indicating the key was not recognized was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Lindsey Chrysler (8100 centreville rd, manassas, va) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Low oil pressure: I change my oil as specified in manual. Now all of a sudden I have a drop in oil pressure. When driving the Jeep my oil pressure is now at no more than 25psi and it drops to zero when idle. On my last oil change I had the engine checked and there were no cracks and no misfire. I had a tune up done on the vehicle in sept 2008. Engine and everything was running fine. As for that day I have to get the Jeep to mechanic to take a look. This past summer the Jeep also would over heat in 90 degree weather and it mostly happened when the ac was turned on. Took it mechanic and couldn't find anything wrong we replaced the thermostat with a lower temp and seemed to fix the problem. Then about 2 days later the Jeep started to overheat again. Replaced the relay as it tested bad. While replacing the relay the fan broke. …
I believer the electrical problems I have experienced with my Jeep Cherokee sport 2000 4.0l v6 has the potential to be come a threat if such wires should create a fire of some sort... For years the only way to operate the windows on the vehicle is by drivers side controls, the passenger cannot operate the window with their control. Strange thing, is if on the divers side you hit the automatic door lock switch back and fourth the passenger can gain control of the window operation ie up/down, only on a temporary basis. The time frame of passenger operation is very short... The other issue is the door locks, the lights go on and off when using the fob to lock and unlock, and sometimes the locks work and you hear the click of them locking. …
Last aug (2002) my ignition switch locked up (would not turn with key inserted). This started out only occurring occasionally. After about 2 weeks it locked up completely and I had a mechanic disassemble the system so I could drive it to the Jeep warranty garage in seoul south Korea. They replaced the inner ignition switch barrel. The ignition switch worked fine until this year (aug 2003) when the exact same thing happened. Now I'm working with another Jeep dealership in icheon south Korea, trying to get this thing repaired so as not to re-occur. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 55 MPH, there was a loss of transmission power. The vehicle hesitated excessively, but the engine continued to operate. The warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer at that time. On a separate occasion, the check engine and transmission warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained lit until the engine was turned off. Immediately following, the engine shut off; however, the vehicle restarted within twenty minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice for identical failures. The crank sensor and fuel filter were replaced; however, there were no resolutions. Currently, the vehicle is being repaired for the malfunctions. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. …
At 7200 miles the engine check light went on flashing. This happened 2 more time over last winter. Each time the spark plugs are fouled and replaced, the computer reports misfiring in the engine. Then in July my car went on fire after driving 6 miles to the store. I parked my car went into the store only to be called out 5 min later that my car was on fire. The fire department had to break into the car because the hood release was burnt. Chrysler said it was a rodent that chewed the fuel injector harness. Now I'm out my insurance deductible and additional rental car charges. Then 2/1/02 after driving to work 7 mile my car again went on fire after parking. This time my boyfriend heard a crackling sound and saw smoke when he stopped and pulled the hood release, saw flames and throw snow on it to put it out. It's still in the dealing waiting to see what Chrysler has to say now.
2000 Jeep Cherokee sport airbag warning light illuminates randomly and repeatedly. Not related to actual airbag deployment. It May render airbag unusable. Dangerous condition. Common consumer complaint. All passenger window actuator switches are unusable. Windows will only work at driver panel. Safety issue if passengers have to open windows.very common consumer complaint. OBD error codes are inaccurate (especially when applying to emission control systems p0441, p0442). Diagnosis often lead to unneeded repairs and costly replacement of sensors and computer without cause. Common consumer complaint. Driver seat support structure breaks. Even when driven only in ordinary driving conditions and not stressed unusually. Must be rewelded or replaced. Seat is no longer structurally safe. Common consumer complaint all of these are design issues and not service/maintenance related.
I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, that whenever it hits a bump on the road, the gauges start to die. First the airbag light , then the engine light come on. After that the odometer dies, so I have no idea how fast I am going. Sometimes all the gauges fail. When I hit another bump on the road everything goes back to normal. I tried to have this fixed, but unfortunately this is a common problem for Jeep and Chrysler, my mechanic looked there is nothing wrong with the dash. It is somewhere in the cables, usually it takes Chrysler a couple of days(he told me from his experience, from his other customers) and they can't guarantee that they even find the faulty wire. And even after they "find the problem" most likely it will come back.
I bought this truck used from a private owner in March of 15, check engine light was on was told it was on because they changed the gas cap on it in June of 15 I was at a store parked went into the store came back out truck wouldn't start no lights nothing jumping didn't do anything had to tow it home, then tow it to the repair shop where they said it was the starter and we placed that ( $394.93) truck ran fine for about 2 weeks same thing, going to tow it the repair shop again next week
Electrical complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee, 12% of the model year's 369 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2000 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 1 recall 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 2000 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 16 fires and 0 injuries 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.