1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,550 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Jeep Cherokee steering problems

steering problem

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2001 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 102013

Cherokee

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and began to notice the problem toward the end of 2012 or first of 2013. When I would reach a speed of around 55 mph, the front wheels/steering wheel would begin to vibrate, shake or whatever you want to call it. It is a violent vibration that is pretty scary and feels like you cannot control the vehicle. It subsides if you immediately slow way down. The problem has gotten progressively worse. It now would start around 45 miles an hour or so, depending on how smooth or bumpy the road is. The bumpier, the more easily in begins the wobble. When I recently researched it online, it is called the "death wobble". I have never put in "non-conforming" parts, nor have I used my vehicle off-road or abused it. I have maintained my vehicle and it has about 160,000 miles on it. I had just taken it in to see if the shaking can be repaired, and the person working on it, replaced almost every part associated with the front suspension etc. In what he thought had corrected the problem, it has only moderately reduced the symptoms. So far, about $800 worth of repairs that have not corrected the problem. I don't think I want any of my tax dollars to bail out Chrysler corporation if they do not fix the problem at no cost to the consumer. I saw their forced "acknowledgement" of the problem and I also saw that they will not pick up the cost of trying to fix the defect. Very disappointed and will not purchase another Chrysler product.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 192012

Cherokee

  • 125,000 miles
Death wobble. I've rotated the tires, I've had the wheels balanced, I've had the tie-rods replaced and "unpreditable" death wobble continues. I was literally inches away from being rear ended and causing a multicar wreck today on the 22 freeway in santa ana, ca when I had to brake on the freeway to stop the violent wobble. This is a mfg defect that needs to be addressed (and liability assumed) by the mfg.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 222011

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
This is another complaint for 'death wobble'. I have had my Jeep taken in several times and have had to live with it because mechanics didn't believe me or just didn't solve my problem. I should have used the la lemon law statutes to return my car but didn't know that back then. Driving down the road 45-70 mph and either hitting a bump or going around 70 mph your whole front end will "shimmy/shake/wobble" making it feel like a giant earthquake. I have tried to find a class action suit against this as I find several websites/forums/customers complaining about it. Right when it shakes you have to slow down below 40 mph - sometimes on the interstate and have had close calls for a collision! if you want just search for 'death wobble' and you will see a whole new world. I don't know what would happen if you didn't slow down as your immediate response is to hit the brakes. Parts replaced have been brake rotors/pads, steering dampener, upper and lower control arms, and tires. It still does it to this day.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #3

Jan 132011

Cherokee

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Jeep Cherokee sport. The contact stated that while she was turning the steering wheel she heard a noise as if plastic was broken. The air bag light illuminated, the horn, the cruise control malfunctioned, and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer will be contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000 and the current mileage was 138,100.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #2

Jul 012006

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,650 miles
Consumer moved steering wheel forward upon exiting 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Now the steering wheel will not move at all. When the steering wheel was moved forward the consumer heard a funny noise. Now the steering wheel cannot be moved back to it's normal driving position. The consumer called the dealer and wa given the manufacturers customer service number. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they would not provide any assistance.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #1

Jul 082006

Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,650 miles
: the contact stated that the steering wheel was making a clicking sound while turning. The tilt steering wheel then locked in the forward position. A service dealer was consulted about the problem, but the vehicle was not inspected.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

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