Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, it accelerated independently and there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired by an independent mechanic but the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000. The VIN was not available.
Went to back car out of the garage, when the car was put in reverse, it immediately accelerated on its own and shot back approximately 60 yards, hit our basketball pole and damaged the driver door and rt. Front quarter panel. Unable to stop it with foot on brake!!!!
The consumer started the vehicle from the park position and placed in reverse, with foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle had taken off out of control, hitting other vehicles. The dealer could not find a problem. Scc
While in park vehicle engaged into reverse. As a result, vehicle accelerated down a ramp in reverse and crashed into a cement wall. Driver sustained bruises all over the left side of her body.
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee with engine problems customer states that the RPM's would immediately go up to the 200 or sometimes higher as soon as he starts up the car and also accelerate when the brakes are applied* the consumer stated various parts were replaced, however the problem returned. The consumers wife was driving, when all of a sudden the vehicle started to accelerate on its own, she applied the brakes as hard as she could, however the vehicle continued to proceed in a forward motion. The only solution was to place the vehicle into park. After placing the vehicle in park, the consumers wife placed it in drive again and immediately it started to accelerate uncontrollably. Applying the brakes with full force did not solve the problem. When aaa arrived and started the vehicle, nothing happened. The sudden acceleration happened again while the consumers daughter was driving. …
The car was in neutral:the air conditioner was on: my foot was on the brake. With my foot on the brake, the car was placed into drive. The wheels spun and left rubber tracks as long as 24" on the pavment although my foot was not on the accelerator. With the car careening forward, I depressed the brake pedal with as much force as possible, but the car did not respond and continued forward.the vehicle stopped only when it went through the wall of my garage.the air bag did not deploy. My foot was never on the accelerator. As soon as the car stopped, I checked the location of my feet and I confirmed that the accelerator was not being depressed. I had the police come and prepare an acident report which recorded the acceleration marks that remained on my driveway as a result of the sudden and high acceleration which was incurred.
On both failures the Jeep was in park, with the brake on and the engine idling. The car literally took off in reverse and both times was only stopped by fences. Both times the vehicle was on flat ground. I reported the first incidence to the dealer and they said that if I couldn't prove it, they weren't responsible and therefore I would have to pay for the damage. I did not report the second incidence, but I have also not fixed the damage. I am terrified to drive the vehicle. Scc ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****747979
While driving 35 MPH vehicle suddenly accelerated, consumer applied brakes, but this did not stop vehicle. Consumer kept pushing brake pedal to floor, and after a few seconds, vehicle slowed down. Mileage was 3000. This happened again on 4 aug 2001 while driving about 5 MPH in a parking garage, vehicle accelerated while in reverse. Applied brakes, but there was no braking action. Vehicle came to a stop when it hit another vehicle. Damage to Jeep was $5700.00, damage to other vehicle unknown at this time. Both times, no injuries.
When taking off from a complete stop, accelerator locked up, causing the vehicle to accelerate to a high rate of speed. After colliding with a couple of vehicles and a fire hydrant, vehicle slowed down. After applying the parking brake, vehicle came to a stop. The manufacturer has been notifed about the problem. Report given by liza delcampo at state farm insurance. TSB# 18-40-98
Sudden acceleration upon backing into a poll, engine commenced to accelerate out of control with both foots on brake and shifted into park. Vehicle was force into a concrete wall at 35 MPH. Also, both air bags did not deploy. Manufacturer notified and informed of a representative would be sent out to inspect vehicle. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3% of the model year's 1,638 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 4 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 Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.