Is the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
1,447 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 156, 3.9× a quiet Grand Cherokee year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 36k–83k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Grand Cherokee owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 56,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 435 (30%) | 12k–57k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 156 (11%) | 36k–83k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 78 (5%) | 50k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 180 (12%) | 87k–140k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 124 (9%) | 63k–120k miles · ahead | — |
| Engine and coolingSTANDS OUT | 95 (7%) | 74k–115k miles · ahead | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 72 (5%) | 76k–120k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 61 (4%) | 42k–138k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 52 (4%) | 55k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 37 (3%) | 38k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 31 (2%) | 52k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 115 (8%) | 85k–140k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 112 (8%) | 83k–145k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 59 (4%) | 76k–159k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 56,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,447 complaints: 108 mention a crash · 18 mention a fire · 73 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Dec 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Brandow Chrysler notified me that 2000 Jeep grand cherokee transmission requires replacement. The vehicle has 56,000 miles and has properly maintained.
The vehicle slipped out of gear when the consumers foot was not on the brake. The vehicle also had a problem with sudden and unexpected acceleration.
Just disgusted with the number of repairs I have needed to make to this vehicle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 56,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 12
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the plastic blades of the electric motor driven cooling fan may separate and penetrate the shroud. If this occurs while the hood is open, a person in the vicinity of the engine could be struck by the blade and injured.
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
Certain aftermarket airtex electric fuel pumps installed for use as replacement equipment for certain 1997-2004 Jeep wrangler; 1997-2001 Jeep cherokee; 1997-2004 Jeep grand cherokee; and 2000-2003 Dodge dakota vehicles. In the presence of an ignition source, a fuel leak could result in a fire.
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. This could result in a vehicle fire.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with fuel tanks with suspect vent tube welds. Separation of the vent tube weld could result in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt shoulder height adjustable turning loop (Atl) top mounting bolt was inadequately manufactured. The affected mounting bolts may not withstand sufficient force to function properly in certain impact situations, increasing the risk of injury to a belted occupant.
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The passenger air bag inflator assembly contains an incorrect inflator charge amount. This condition could increase the risk of a passenger occupant injury under certain accident conditions.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some steering gear units were assembled with internal end-of-travel-stops that missed the heat treat process, resulting in soft internal travel stops. This could result in sticking, binding, or seizing of the steering gear.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 15
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on the radiator…
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
New CSN Advanced Communication - N47062013 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a Customer Satisfaction Notification…
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Fuel Storage System Crash Related Fires
Fan blade failure (Engine cooling fan)
Roll-away in reverse when parked
Neighbouring years
2001 Grand Cherokee: 882 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Grand Cherokee years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee a bad year?
1,447 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 156, 3.9× a quiet Grand Cherokee year. At 56,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 36k–83k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (435), transmission and drivetrain (156), latches and locks (78), seats (180), visibility and wipers (124). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 36k–83k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E064000), Engine and cooling (NHTSA 06V-199) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.