Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased a new 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport. When brakes applied car weaved or pulled to the left. (2) emergencey stop on major hwy. 2 am front end shook violently and pulled my car onto the center grass divider.(3) returned Jeep to dealer. Service manager could not replicate problem. Brought car to independent brake repair shop. Replaced pads, and installed new rotors. Two days later car shook violently upon braking at 45mph. Returned to lithia colorado Jeep dealer. Stated warped rotors. Replaced rotors and pads. Problem is on going and will now need to have repairs done a third time in 24.000 miles. General manager of lithia states he can repair brakes but not solve the problem because both he and Chrysler know the rotors are defective they simply replace the old rotors with new defective rotors. 35 exact problems reported on www.mycarstats.com in the last 90 days.
I usually drive back roads under 50 miles per hour. My husband had taken my 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport on the interstate and a car switched lanes infront of us causing him to have to brake quickly. The front of my car shook so hard we almost went into a jersey wall. Until that vehicle was under 40 miles per hour the front end was shaking so violently it was barely controlable. If I would have been driving it May very well have caused a serious accident. The problem with my vehicle was covered under service bulletin 0500401. What we experienced was not minor pulsation. The front rotor was visibly warped! When I called Jeep customer service about the problem they admitted that they were aware that the front rotors would warp under conditions of high heat or high road salt use. This was not a recall nor did they offer to meet part of the cost of repair ($700). …
This is another complaint for 'death wobble'. I have had my Jeep taken in several times and have had to live with it because mechanics didn't believe me or just didn't solve my problem. I should have used the la lemon law statutes to return my car but didn't know that back then. Driving down the road 45-70 MPH and either hitting a bump or going around 70 MPH your whole front end will "shimmy/shake/wobble" making it feel like a giant earthquake. I have tried to find a class action suit against this as I find several websites/forums/customers complaining about it. Right when it shakes you have to slow down below 40 MPH - sometimes on the interstate and have had close calls for a collision! If you want just search for 'death wobble' and you will see a whole new world. I don't know what would happen if you didn't slow down as your immediate response is to hit the brakes. …
While driving on highway at 70 MPH and without warning, headlights went completely out causing poor visibility which resulted in an accident, consumer rearended another vehicle causing one injury, upon impact the airbags did not experience deployment, consumer had been to dealer several times due to taillights inoperable and headlamps inoperable prior to accident, dealer replaced fuses and found connector's loose. Consumer states front end pulled to the left while driving, dealer found no problems. Consumer states on normal braking, pedal goes to the floor and during above mentioned accident brakes locked causing a block of skid marks, prior to accident when dealer could find no problems with ABS or hydraulic brake system. …
Complaint received via e-mail. I have had a consistent problem with my brakes since I brought it. The first failure occurred at 9012 miles. Dealership replaced the front calipers and rotors. Then at 18811 miles dealership resurfaced the front and rear rotors because they were warped. At 24,806 miles the failure recurred. Dealership replaced all 4 brake rotors. Currently, at 32,000 miles the failure recurred, but the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer, dealership, and other Jeep owners informed me that this was a design flaw that occurred in the earlier and some later model jeeps, but has been modified in 2005 model. The consumer stated that the vehicle was taken in for repair three times while under warranty. The engine light was on for one week. The low coolant light comes on when the vehicle is started (cold) and goes off when the vehicle is warm.
At 20,000 miles my Jeep Cherokee shuttered when braking at highway speeds. It was so violent it almost threw my Jeep into the dividing wall. I took this to my dealer and was told it was a $700 repair to replace my rotors and break pads. This is covered under a Jeep service bulletin but was not a recall. Jeep knew before my vehicle rolled off the assembly line that the brake rotors warped under conditions of high heat or the use of salt on the highways. This is due to the composite metal of the rotor. I then took my vehicle to my regular mechanic and had the rotors replace with Chrysler parts. Once again I am experiencing the vibration at 54,000. I have been told the same thing. I am now keeping a collection of warped Jeep rotors in hope that eventually they will be held accountable for this problem.
Had problems w/ front end shaking violently when I hit a bump, changed lanes or put on the brakes at freeway speeds. Thought it was a brakes or alignment problem, but after having brakes replaced and the alignment checked, I resorted to going to the Jeep dealership. After dealer replicated the symptoms, informed me of a technical service bulletin from last year and then replaced the entire suspension system under warranty. (note: the car had 18,000 miles on it at the time.) the symptoms are returning less than a year later. This should be covered under a recall.
Brakes on a Jeep Cherokee. The brakes on my 2001 Jeep Cherokee have started shaking the car rappidly when the brakes are applied at freeway speeds. I have contacted the dealer and have been informed that this is not a warranty issue. I also called a local meineke location and was told that this is a common issue with most Cherokee's. The result is that this will cost me $300 for a problem that should be covered under a recall.
Front disc brake rotors are warping approximately every 10,000 miles. This causes the brake pedal to pulse and the steering wheel to rotate a few degrees left and right during braking. Jeep's warranty specifically excludes brake rotors after 12,000 miles, leading me to the conclusion that they are aware that there is a design or material problem with the brake rotors. Rotors should last longer than the brake pads.
While driving, the front end shook. The dealer replaced the front rotors eight times, but the problem recurred. The dealer did not know why the rotors were wearing out prematurely. The dealer suggested that the rotors could not be fixed properly because of the substandard parts Chrysler used. The vehicle would ride rough and the brakes seemed to squeak only when it rained.
Brake complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, 24% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Cherokee brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 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 2001 Jeep Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.