Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 30 MPH uphill, the vehicle shook drastically. The rear passenger side wheel axle sheared and the wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle flipped over. The contact was injured. The current and failure mileages were 42,000.
I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and began to notice the problem toward the end of 2012 or first of 2013. When I would reach a speed of around 55 MPH, the front wheels/steering wheel would begin to vibrate, shake or whatever you want to call it. It is a violent vibration that is pretty scary and feels like you cannot control the vehicle. It subsides if you immediately slow way down. The problem has gotten progressively worse. It now would start around 45 miles an hour or so, depending on how smooth or bumpy the road is. The bumpier, the more easily in begins the wobble. When I recently researched it online, it is called the "death wobble". I have never put in "non-conforming" parts, nor have I used my vehicle off-road or abused it. I have maintained my vehicle and it has about 160,000 miles on it. …
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. …
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.
Front end of vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds, causing a loss of steering control. Driver must come to a nearly complete stop in order to gain control of the vehicle. It's been brought back to several dealers, undergoing over $1,000 in repairs, but nothing has solved this problem. Began at 18,000 miles and continuing now at 58,000 miles.
Purchased a 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport in November, 2004. In the past 3 months, I experienced a severe shaking of the vehicle; most often after hitting a small bump in the road. It was extremely difficult to get the vehicle under control. Took it to dealership where purchased and was told there was nothing wrong with it. Kept happening, at speeds of 35-45 MPH. Diagnosed at belle tire as a bad track bar.took iit to another Jeep dealership; track bar lower control arms replaced. Said problem was fixed but 2 days later, while on freeway (65 MPH) in right-hand lane, extremely violent shaking occurred. I barely got the car to the side, because the steering wass uncontrollable. I have no doubt that had I been in any but the right hand lane, I would have hit another car. I was able to re-enter the right hand lane but kept my speed at 35 MPH and exited immediately. …
There is vibration in the steering wheel. Gears are stuck when trying to change gears. Dealership is aware of problem. Steering wheel does not lock. Consumer feels vibration in steering wheel, gas pedal, passenger door, gear shift, and passenger seat, consumer hears a noise that sounds like it is coming from the rims. Air conditioner switch needed reset. Hood is out of line, drivers side door panel needs replacing and there is a gap at the top of the outside. Engine light is illuminated. Glove box light went out. Upper ball joint was replaced.
Consumer states front rotors continue to warp after (2) replacements. When ever the truck hits a bump while traveling 50 MPH or above will shake violently. Owner is concerned about controlling the truck when this happens. Also the upper and lower ball joint was loose which was causing the steering wheel to shake, the transfer case was loose, the gasket and thermostat was replaced due to a coolant leak, cruise control was inoperative, the air condition and heater only blows at defrost vents, the rear luggage rail came out.
2001 Jeep Cherokee, the left rear wheel/tire broke free from hub rolling off the left side of road. Unit 1 coasted to outside berm. According to the police report, 1 of 5 bolts were missing from the right front hub, 1 of 5 stud bolts were missing from the right rear hub and the right rear tire was bald and exposing steel belts. The five stud bolt holes in the rim were severely worn. It was also noticed that the front ball joint was bad. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0864-90) updated 02/15/11
Suspension complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 229 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Jeep Cherokee suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.