Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Found that there is a plastic fuel tank mounted behind the rear axle hanging down below the bumper and was told if I get rear ended it could cause an explosion that would need to have a hitch receiver installed to protect the fuel tank
Vehicle randomly stalls and dies at low to moderate speeds. Engine will shudder briefly and shutoff. Stalling will occur when stopped or speeds ranging from 1 to 40 MPH. When vehicle stalls, electrical system will reset and power steering fails. Restart is sometimes achievable immediately, but more often takes a minimum of 30 seconds and up to several minutes. Issue seems unaffected by outside temperature or other environmental factors. Engine failure often occurs within the first 15 minutes of driving, but has occurred at greater time intervals. Spark plugs, spark plug wires, ignition rotor, and upstream oxygen sensor have been replaced, but problem persists. This has caused near accidents on multiple occasions. This issue is persistent and ongoing.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the skid plate fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the skid place and the straps that hold the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the fuel pump failed and the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery, but it was not the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump ground wires May be defective, which could have prevented the vehicle from starting. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
I was driving my kids to school and heard a strange scraping sound, when I got home I looked under the car and the gas tank was literally falling off the car. The skidplate/support was rotted away and only the back portion of it was holding the gas tank up. Could have been a major problem if I didn't notice the scraping sound and check before I drove it anymore.
I was driving and a steel plate fell off from the center of the skid plate that protects my fuel tank 2 days later I recived a recall about putting a hitch on to protect my fuel tank I can see my tank is exposed a hitch well not fix this problem I need a skid plate to protect my fuel tank not a hitch should I retain a lawer
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!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact observed fuel leaking from the vehicle while parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 242,922.
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. …
Auto had 40000+ miles when I bought it from my brother. I had it only a few months when it stalled on the interstate. It would not start until I sat for a little while. I am capable of overcoming auto trouble so I didn't think much about this incident due to the fact that I have been a mechanic for many years now. Then it began to stall in heavy traffic and sometimes would start again and other times after waiting several minutes. I replaced the crank sensor, in-tank fuel pump and filter. It ran okay for a while but began to hard start and stall again about 2 mos. Ago. Then 2 days ago it stalled something like 25 times coming home from the hospital. Since then I have been on the internet reading the blogs about this problem and if everyone that has this issue would email you, your computers would shut down. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a 4.0l engine only, the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds could allow debris to accumulate at the #3 cylinder location.
Remedy: Dealers will install a manifold shield to modify the air flow characteristics and to prevent the accumulation of debris in the area of the #3 cylinder. Owner notification began May 13, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
NHTSA has conducted extensive analysis of the data regarding fuel tank integrity for the model year (MY) 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC). As a result of that work, the agency has decided to upgrade its safety defect investigation to an Engineering Analysis and to expand the scope of vehicles included in the investigation.
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013…
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
In a letter dated October 2, 2009, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation and recall model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.CAS alleged that the subject vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in crashes.
Fuel System complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 1,638 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-104 (injectors, Apr 8, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.