The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worse than average by owner complaints: 334 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 131, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 881 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 44K to 100K miles on the car (555 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- visibility complaints mostly came at 54K–93K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 11K–45K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 70K–130K miles
Recalls 10
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- seats 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 103,409 MY 2001-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS AND WITH CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 06V-197 COMPLETED (03-04 MY) OR SEAT HEATER ELEMENTS SERVICE REPLACEMENT (01-02 MY).
- lights 2009
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.
Show all 10 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2002
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.
- steering 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
- child seat 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 79 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advance service information on the rear axle missing limited slip additive
- Harsh 2-3, 4-5, and 5-4 upshifts causing a powertrain clunk or shudder
- Automatic transmission fluid usage atf+4
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedCrash related fuel tank fires2012–2014
- ClosedCrash related fuel tank fires2010–2012
- ClosedFuel storage system crash related fires2009–2010
- ClosedRoll-away in reverse when parked2001–2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Coming to a stop, foot on brake. Felt power surge. Slamed on brakes , put Jeep in neutral.
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 758195
More owner reports
Steering wheel shook when braking at 50mph+ due to warped rotors. Car has less than 10,000 miles. Dealer resurfaced front rotors - no cost (this time)
NHTSA complaint 760359
Consumer complained about an engine problem. While driving on the freeway at approximately 70 mph vehicle abruptly lost power. Also,transmission failed when vehicle had only 30,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint 10053604
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 131; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (53%), transmission & drivetrain (26%) and visibility (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
10 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 555 complaints.
Does the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works