Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 owned 8 jeeps and now have a beautiful dealershipl maintained Grand Cherokee limited 4.7l in my driveway with a bad engine. At 100K a rod bearing went bad and after that was fixed by me with great expense it now sits in the driveway with low compression and will not start. I have searched and found hundreds of ads with blown engines just in my area of southern california. There seems to be some common design flaws in the 4.7l that Chrysler corporation has been hiding and we the people have been paying for it. Dealers deny any problems but yet on any given day the classifies are full of them. I love the vehicle in general that's why I have owned so many but feel taken advantage of and can't afford to drive a Chrysler piece of crap anymore. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the headlight was turned on the light was diffused by the headlight lens. The contact stated that the lighting visibility was decreased. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight globe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09e025000 (exterior lighting:headlights). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 11/19/15
I have had an issue with the heating and cooling unit on the dual zone control in the past, about 4,500 miles ago, and took it into the dealership to have them fix the problem. I took it into get repaired because it was not fogging or defrosting my vehicles windshield and I was unable to see during the winter when I was driving up to colorado and had to stop every few minutes to wipe off the condensation. This was a terrifying event since it was snowing on the highway I was traveling on and there were vehicles trying to control their own vehicles which I could not see. At one point when I needed to pull the vehicle over and wipe off the condensation and unfreeze the windshield wipers from the windshield I was unable to see the railing and hit it, thankfully I was only going about 5 MPH but I still banged up my bumper a little but at least I didn't die. …
I own a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited, and as I have come to find out my problem is all too common. In the middle of a freezing nebraska winter the heat stopped working! Not only is did my heater core go out, the apparently the "blend door" is also not functioning correctly. The combination of problems is likely to cost well over a thousand dollars to fix! After researching and finding out how common this problem is . . .I've decided I'll never buy a Jeep again! The of people this is happening to is unacceptable and something needs to happen otherwise I would advice every Jeep owner to get rid of their car before 75,00 miles. The problem can become dangerous because the defrost/defog function is completely gone when this happens, reducing or eliminating visibility.
The heating / cooling system in my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited stopped working. Now it currently only blows hot air from one vent (driver's side, mid-level). Every other vent in the vehicle blows only cold air. The air conditioning system does not work whatsoever. Neither of the temperature control switches work (for passenger / driver side). I have read on the internet that this seems to be quite a problem for this model Jeep. I have gotten quotes to repair the problem and it will cost over $1000. I have done nothing since it is quite expensive and will leave me without my vehicle for some time. The heating / cooling system never works at all.
Had car 1 yr, 62,[redacted] mi; when we test drove with 36,[redacted] miles, the brakes shook violently when braking; dealer installed new rotors; 3 months later I replaced brakes; 3 months after that vibrating again - rotors turned and replaced brakes again; brakes are squeaking again now; in shop for third time for transmission problems - slips gears, clunking in low gears, won't shift, surges ahead when stopping; revs up prior to shifting; dealer keeps replacing parts to fix the problem; replaced 2 electrical window regulators (drivers & passengers side). This gorgeous vehicle is a nightmare.
The climate automatic climate control system has failed. One side blows cold air and the other warm air. The defrosters are ineffective, making it difficult to see when the windshield fogs up not to mention keeping the windshield deiced in bad driving conditions. Chrysler says the instrument panel must be removed in order to remove the heater assembly and fix the recirculation door and other components. They want $1200 to fix the heater! This is unbelievable!
I noticed that my air flow through the A/C and heater was not working - no air flow. It seems permanent - no air flow. I can hear the fan, but no flow of air - no matter what setting (defrost, floor, front side). What is worse, when my windshield fogs up, I have no visibility due to no windshield blower flow. I have not fixed it since it seems to be a widespread problem inherent with the Jeep design, and I believe Jeep should fix it.
Heat and air worked fine. In October on a cold night I decided to use my heat and it blew cold air! This happens everytime I go to use my heat. It doesn't matter which vent it is blowing from the heat comes out cold. Has not fixed yet due to repair costs equaling over $1000.00 and I cannot afford that at the time. Guess I will just have to drive around in -8 temperatures with ice on the inside of my windshield..thanks Jeep
Vehicle was parked and engine running, emergency brake not applied. Vehicle suddenly kicked into reverse and took off, 2 young children inside. Vehicle ended up in a ditch, no injuries. Damage to vehicle unknown at this time. The vehicle has long crank time when cold due to fuel upmp module failure. The right front window mulfunctions but the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Yh
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 1,638 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.