The WJ-generation Grand Cherokee is a capable SUV undermined by catastrophic automatic transmission failures and chronic 4.7L V8 cylinder head cracking. The 4.0L I6 is far more durable but doesn't escape transmission issues.
45RFE/545RFE Automatic Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 shift, especially when cold, Slipping in 4th or 5th gear under load, Metal debris in pan at fluid changes, Limp mode or complete loss of forward gears
Fix: The 45RFE (4.0L) and 545RFE (4.7L) suffer from inadequate lubrication to the overdrive clutches and valve body wear. Band adjustment buys time but most need full rebuild or replacement. Rebuild takes 12-16 hours; used trans swap 8-10 hours. Always replace the external cooler and flush lines.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
4.7L V8 Cylinder Head Cracking (0331 Casting)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible leaks, White smoke at cold start, Overheating with no apparent cause, Milky oil or coolant in overflow tank
Fix: The early 0331 casting heads crack between cylinders 3-4 or 5-6, allowing coolant into the cylinder. Head removal, inspection, and replacement with updated casting (0336 or later) required. Often both heads done preventively. 18-22 hours labor, includes machining and new head bolts, gaskets, timing components.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,200
Transfer Case Linkage and Mode Selector Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Cannot shift into or out of 4WD modes, Grinding or clunking when selecting 4WD, Check engine light with shift motor codes, Stuck in 4WD Low or Part-Time
Fix: NV242/NV247 transfer cases use a shift motor and linkage that wears or seizes. Mode sensor and shift motor common culprits. Linkage replacement 2-3 hours; shift motor 3-4 hours if disassembly needed. Sometimes requires transfer case removal for internal mode fork inspection.
Estimated cost: $600-1,400
Front Upper and Lower Ball Joint Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps or when turning, Wandering or loose steering feel, Tire wear on inside or outside edges, Visible play when prying on tire at 12-6 position
Fix: The independent front suspension uses four ball joints per side that wear rapidly in harsh conditions. Uppers tend to fail first but best practice is replacing all four per side with upgraded parts. Requires press work. 4-5 hours per side, includes alignment.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
EVAP System and Fuel Tank Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Persistent check engine light with P0455 or P0442 codes, Fuel smell especially after fill-up, Difficulty filling tank (pump clicks off repeatedly), Visible fuel staining on tank or filler neck
Fix: Plastic fuel tanks crack at mounting straps or filler neck. EVAP canister and vent valves also fail. This platform had multiple recalls for fuel leaks. Tank replacement 3-4 hours; EVAP components 1-2 hours depending on location. Smoke test essential for diagnosis.
Estimated cost: $600-1,800
Rear Axle Pinion Seal and Bearing Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil drip at front of rear differential, Howling or whining from rear that changes with speed, Increased noise during acceleration or deceleration
Fix: The Dana 35 (base) and Chrysler 8.25" (HD) rear axles develop pinion seal leaks and bearing wear. Seal replacement alone 2-3 hours but often the bearing race is grooved, requiring pinion depth reset and full bearing replacement. 5-7 hours for bearing job with setup.
Estimated cost: $400-1,100
Instrument Cluster Gauge Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Speedometer or fuel gauge reads erratically or dies, Odometer display fades or goes blank, All gauges drop to zero intermittently, Tachometer bounces or sticks
Fix: Stepper motors and solder joints fail on the cluster circuit board. Remove cluster (1 hour), send for repair service or replace stepper motors if you can solder. Dealer replacement clusters need VIN programming. Repair services run $150-300; new clusters $400-600 plus 1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-900
Owner tips
If buying a 4.7L V8, verify head casting numbers (0336 or 0630 good; 0331 is a time bomb)
Change transmission fluid every 30k with Mopar ATF+4 only; aftermarket fluids accelerate failure
Inspect ball joints annually — they give little warning before catastrophic separation
The 4.0L I6 is bulletproof but still suffers transmission and transfer case issues
Budget $1,500/year in deferred maintenance if buying over 100k miles
Buy a low-mileage 4.0L I6 model only if you can verify transmission health and afford inevitable repairs; avoid any 4.7L with 0331 heads or budget $5k immediately for head replacement.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 09E012000
2009-04-07
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E064000
2006-07-17
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.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN · 06V199000
2006-06-08 · EA05020
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 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 06E022000
2006-03-13
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. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 06E023000
2006-03-13
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."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MANIFOLD SHIELD TO MODIFY THE AIR FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AND TO PREVENT THE ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS IN THE AREA OF THE #3 CYLINDER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS WITH SUSPECT VENT TUBE WELDS.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY FUEL TANKS BUILT IN THE SUSPECT TIME PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WILL BE INSPECTED AND IF THE BAR CODE ON THE FUEL TANK INDICATES THAT THE TANK WAS BUILT DURING THE SUSPECT PERIOD, IT WILL BE REPLACED.
SEAT BELTS · 00V034000
2000-02-04
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) TOP MOUNTING BOLT WAS INADEQUATELY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER MOUNTING BOLTS.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 99V343000
1999-12-02
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN INCORRECT INFLATOR CHARGE AMOUNT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A PASSENGER OCCUPANT INJURY UNDER CERTAIN ACCIDENT CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE WITH A CORRECT MODULE.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · 99V312000
1999-11-04
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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN STICKING, BINDING, OR SEIZING OF THE STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ON INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.