Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2003 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo. The vehicle was parked when it suddenly caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 105,000.
My 2003 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo started experiencing starting problems. I would get in the car and try to start it and it would be dead. This doesn't happen first thing in the morning. I can drive the car 5 miles, get out for 5 minutes, and when I start it again, it's dead. Usually I have to wait about 10 minutes. If I try to start it while I'm waiting, the gauges all go crazy, the radio goes to 12:00, and it won't start. Sometimes it cranks but doesn't turn over. When it does turn over, I have to keep my foot on the gas or else it dies on me. Sometimes happens while I'm driving also, the gauges go crazy and the car wants to die on me. So far I have had the battery terminals changed, the powertrain control module, the crankshaft position sensor, and the fuel pump. But it still does the same thing. It happens on a hit or miss basis. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Jeep Laredo. While driving 20 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to a shoulder lane where the vehicle was able to restart. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that several components of the engine had been replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The contact did not file a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 94,946.
Upon ignition, radiator fan exploded into pieces randomly. Found many many other instances of this incident, and all dealers and representatives of Chrysler deny any knowledge of the incident. It is for a Jeep grand cherokee. Here is your report: NHTSA campaign id number: 06V199000 - hide details recall date: 06/08/2006 component: engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan units affected: 146195 recall date: 06/08/2006 summary: on certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan May separate and penetrate the shroud. Consequence: if this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured. Remedy: dealers will replace the electric cooling fan modules free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at [phone]. …
For the past year my 2001 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo limited has been overheating if we idle for more than 1-2 minutes. As long as the rpms don't go over 2000 it will happen. I went on a trip last May up a canyon. Drove about 50 miles to the canyon and all was fine. While going up the canyon speeds stayed below 20 MPH because we were following my in-laws and there was quite a bit of dust the ac was off I didn't notice that the temperature gage was raising. When I noticed it, I guess it was too late. I stopped the Jeep and hoped that it would cool down. As I lifted the hood. The top popped of the coolant reservoir and sprayed coolant everywhere. I was able to get home without any problem because I was going fast again. I put more coolant in it and it still overheats at drive-thru's and in rush hour traffic. I have to turn it off. …
My 2001 Jeep grand cherokee Laredo has been shutting off while I am driving and also sometimes it doesn't start properly. My mechanic doesn't know what is wrong with it. This is the second time he is looking at it. This has been going on for approximately three months. What really concerns me though is that it is just shutting off while I am driving. This defect May cause a serious accident while I am in traffic. I am scared to drive it cause it is happening everytime I drive it now. I did find out on the internet that there are other complaints out there and that the problem might be the front control module. I have called Chrysler to find out if that is really the problem. No one knows anything about this complaint at Chrysler. I just want answers so that I can get it fixed. I am really worried that I will be in an accident.
My 2000 Jeep cherokee Laredo began experiencing a coolant leak and abnormally high coolant use, use that I noticed almost immediately after purchasing my vehicle used in August 2005. In December while getting the oil changed my mechanic indicated that there was a large amount of antifreeze in my oil. My mechanic suspected that there May be a problem with the head gasket or perhaps even a cracked head. When the head was removed he discovered that the entire head had been machined incorrectly. All of the holes that surround the piston chamber and allow antifreeze to flow through had been machined approximately 1/2-3/4 of an inch off center which would make it difficult/impossible for a gasket to property seal. My mechanic contacted daimler-Chrysler to see if there has been any recalls to the engine and there was not. …
I bought my wife a 2000 Jeep grand cherokee, and it has shut off while she was driving, putting her in a very dangerous situation, with no "check engine" light...nothing, low coolant light came on when there is coolant already in the car, check gauges light keep coming on, heater doesn't heat well, the passenger side power door lock does not work, I've replaced the thermostat and the water pump once. And I've had an issue with the vehicle overheating and the fan not coming on and had it replaced. I do believe there is something wrong with the Jeep cherokee especially the 2000 model and think it should be recalled. I looked on the internet for blogs to see if anyone else was having the same problems and found there were well over 100 people on one website with the same exact problems. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Laredo years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (15), 2002 (11), 2001 (10), 1997 (9) and 2003 (8) model years. Engine complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Jeep Laredo engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Jeep Laredo model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Jeep Laredo engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cooling system › fan (14 mentions), followed by the engine (12).
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.