Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed a burning odor in the vehicle without warning. In addition, the interior lighting, hazard lights, and turn signals would turn on and off independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the brake lights would not operate when the headlights were turned on. An independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure examined the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
I own a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The headlight lenses have turned opaque (about 15% reduction in light transmission, using a standard photographic light meter). I have tried to polish this opacity "off" the lenses, using standard consumer plastic polishes, but the problem seems to be in the plastic itself and not a surface defect. I contacted Chrysler ([phone]) and talked to "[redacted], employee #6cm. I was informed that Chrysler considered this a "maintenance" problem. I consider the fact that approximately 15% of the light energy produced by the head light bulbs is not making it's way onto the road surface when I use my headlights, a safety mater, and request that you look into this problem. Thank you, [redacted]
Agree 100% with complaint 10422899 and others. Replaced both rear brake light assembly's 3 times already. Plastic around contactor melts, metal no longer connects with bulb contact properly. Issue is causing all kinds of safety, financial, legal (traffic violations, points on drivers license) problems. Including no brake lights, no working directionals. Extremely dangerous. Costly. Several safety violation warnings from law enforcement. Several close calls with potential rear collision. Operator never knows when it will or has occurred. This problem is needless and ridiculous.
Vehicle: 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo 2 wheel drive 4.0 6cyc automatic there is a chronic problem with the rear tail lights on this make and model of vehicle. The issue is with the light bulb carrier and not the wiring. The lights have gone out multiple times and require either the replacement of the bulb carrier or "playing" with the bulb until it is in a position that makes good electrical contact. I have noticed almost every similar Jeep Grand Cherokee on the road has at least one rear tail light out ! How many accidents have been caused by this problem?
Rear passenger tail light does not work at night or rather when the car lights are turned on. Mechanic has replaced bulb, re-bent the connection, but the light still is not visible when lights are turned on. When lights are out, brake light, reverse light and turn signal work. My son has been pulled over by police thinking the lights had been fixed. Its only a matter of time before he receives a ticket. Our mechanic has offered to try and fix it without replacing both back light assemblies.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The left turn signal and the brake lights failed intermittently. The brake light bulbs have been changed and the lights failed to operate normally. The dealer can not diagnose the failure; however, a mechanic advised her that there is a wiring problem. The perform service light was also illuminated; however, they are unable to turn it off. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 138000 and the current mileage was 140081.
Between years 3 and 5 replaced both tail light assembly units. Not covered under extended warranty. Problem starting vehicle. Took to dealer at least 5 times. Dealer kept replacing fuel pump and saying it was bad. Problem still occurs. Replaced transmission sensor. Replaced hood hydraulics. Now hearing noise from rear end at any speed. Being told by my mechanical that rear end needs to be replaced.
The rear brake light on the driver's side does not work properly. When the headlights are turned on, the brake light goes out when brake is depressed. The bulb, the light socket, and the entire light assembly have been replaced. Replacing the entire light assembly is only a temporary fix, the brake light will again need to be repaired. This is not the first time for the brake light to malfunction.
The plastic used in the headlight lens covers becomes brown with exposure to the sun. This is a dangerous problem and the only remedy that I have found is to purchase new headlight assemblies for about $200 each. This is unacceptable since the problem is due to the improper selection by the auto manufacturer of the correct polymer used to create the lenses.
Headlight complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2% of the model year's 1,638 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.