Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
I have about 192,000 miles ...owned the car since 2001..about 1 year ago I noticed the front seat was beginning to wiggle...in time until 10/14/15 when I took it to the Chrysler deatership (franich) in watsonville, ca. 95076 where I was advised I had a broken frame on the driver's side front seat. Their only solution was to try and sell me a whole new seat assembly...at the cost of $750 which would have represented about 20% of the present value (my car is in super condition)...I asked if there was another place I could go....the serviceman put me on hold as he spoke to the manager..came back on and .said no...and actually sent me on my way in that unsafe condition...never once did they tell me that there have been simiiar complaints with the same problem and that Chrysler was refusing the NHTSA suggestion for recalls for this unsafe condition...had they at least told me...I would have …
The driver seat came off track or broke I've fixed it a few times but I think its a safety issue if I get into a wreak I'm not protected my seat is almost in the back seat already laying on the car seat of my kid, it moves when I turn or break, so if I get hit I'm going to be thrown out of my seat and or car I've already got to take it to get he gas tank issue fixed, the tail lights not working right I've gotten a few tickets for that now this I know I'm not the only one with this issue so I think something should be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While attempting to stop the vehicle at 30 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal with excessive force. As a result, the seat detached and the contact was pinned between the steering column and seat. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000. The VIN was not provided.
At approximately 137,000 miles, the driver's seat frame snapped at two points, causing the seat to rock from side to side when entering/exiting and when making sharp turns. Since it is not attached to the frame at that point, it will not pass inspection. I was in motion on a busy city street on the way to school when the seat gave way and started moving.
My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee front driver's seat has broken in two spots. Front left weld and rear right weld. I am extremely fortunate that the "break" of the weld did not happen while I was driving at a "normal rate of speed", if it did, a severe and tragic accident could have occurred. The main reason I am writing to you is the fact, during my research for a "fix" or replacement seat, I stumbled across a few websites with consumers, like myself, inquiring why this happened. We are not talking about a handful, we are talking over a thousand entries of the same issue happening to other consumers. And this is more than likely the tip of the ice berg since many, many folks would never post to a blog or even use the internet as a platform for complaint. Jeep Chrysler should be responsible for their poor quality. What will it take for the powers to be to do the right thing by the consumer. …
Two complaints-(1) at approximately 120,000 miles the driver's front seat bracket broke and began leaning the seat backwards. After another 8,000 miles the bracket completely broke. It was welded by a professional welder and replaced. At approximately 138,000 miles it broke again and will have to be welded again but I cannot afford to pay to have it fixed right now. I researched and found that this is a very, very common complaint and safety issue on my model-99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. (2) at approximately 142,000 miles the air bag light began coming on and going off intermittently and now it does so frequently, especially when turning. I have been advised by a mechanic friend that it is the clockspring wires in the steering column and hat only a dealer can fix it. Like the seat problem, this is a safety issue and from my research I have found that it is a very, very common issue as well. …
Broken elevator bracket on drivers power seat. The front left bracket has broken at the weld. It does not appear that this weld had been adequately fused to the axis shaft. The bracket broke in half at the point where it is intersected by the axis component. Sometimes this seat rocks backward suddenly when driving which diminishes my ability to control the vehicle. I am more concerned that the drivers seat is not anchored to the vehicle chassis as designed. In the event of being the victim of a rear end collision, I anticipate being thrown to the rear of the cab due to lack of restraint. I am virtually the only person that has driven this vehicle and the seat has only been elevated from its lowest position a few times. The repair estimate is $586 (to replace the entire assembly) as the warranty has expired. This failure is clearly a manufacturing defect and not due to wear or misuse. …
The seat bracket on my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee broke while I was driving causing the seat to "float" and move up and down on that corner. I pulled over and looked under the seat to find a break on a piece of flat steel that is used to raise the seat up and down with the electric motors. There was no crash or other outside influence causing the seat to break. It is unsafe to drive because the driver is not secure while making turns. I think it is very dangerous if I was to be in a crash! The metal seems very thin on these areas where the electric seat adjust has to "scissor lift" up and down. I drive a lot across two states to pick up my children - so I had someone weld the seat bracket back together. It held for about 3 months and now it is broke again. If the seat brackets are this weak, how will it hold together in a crash??? Please help me and others. …
My 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee has just had it's third failure of the driver's seat frame. The first time that the seat frame broke back in 2002 it was covered under warranty with Chrysler. Chrysler replaced the seat frame with a new seat frame. It broke again in 2006. This time I had it welded and it lasted until April 2010 when it broke again! Each time that this has happened I was driving the car, while accelerating, and it snapped and threw me backwards in the seat towards the rear seat area. Thankfully, I was able to control the car each time and then placed temporary supports around the seat until I could have the repair completed. I am planning to have the frame welded again this time. I am sorry that I did not report this before now. I am a very experienced driver and I am afraid to allow my young drivers in the household to drive this Jeep any longer. I am the only one to drive it.
I currently own a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Over the last year I noticed a squeaking noise coming from driver's side seat. The noise became more apparent after I would hit bumps in the road or adjust my seating position. On the 10th of June I was driving my car and the front of my seat popped off of the power seat track. My seat flipped back and rested on the rear seat. I almost lost control of the vehicle before I was able to lean forward and regain my balance. The seat is still only attached by the rear pivot points. I had to lower my rear seats and push my drivers seat back until it could be stabilized. I took my car to the dealership and they stated that the entire seat needed to be replaced along with the track and that the repairs were my responsibility. Jeep obviously failed to engineer their seat tracks properly which almost caused me to lose control of my vehicle.
Seat complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 1,638 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › power adjust (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 112,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to seats 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.