2000 Jeep Cherokee Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 14%of 369 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee, 14% of the 369 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 15 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had engine overheating problems on my 2000 Jeep Cherokee, door actuators going bad, and also oil pressure gauge going to zero, and also loosing anti freeze. I have replaced the head once for the coolant loss and didn't do any good, I've had the thermostat switched for overheating and also the radiator fan , no help.”
NHTSA complaint #10222309, filed 2008-03, 85,000 miles“I recently purchased a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 motor in it. I have been having loss of coolant lately. No leaks no puddles but coolant is disappearing from my over flow bottle. A quick search on the internet revealed that this is a common problem with 2000 4.0l motors. Turns out the head cracks. Closer inspection reviews a cracked head at 35k miles the Jeep has cracked a head. Unreal.”
NHTSA complaint #10259423, filed 2009-02, 35,250 miles“My vehicle has been losing coolant for quite some time. It has relatively low mileage to have head problems, but I now have coolant in my oil. I have done some research and found that daimler-chrysler used 0331 cast heads on this model Cherokee (2000 w/ 4.0l engine). It turns out that these heads were a poor cast allowing cracks to form near the #3 cylinder area allowing coolant to flow into the oil. This results in a drop in oil pressure and eventually bearing and engine failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130699, filed 2005-07, 55,000 miles“Low oil pressure: I change my oil as specified in manual. Now all of a sudden I have a drop in oil pressure. When driving the Jeep my oil pressure is now at no more than 25psi and it drops to zero when idle. On my last oil change I had the engine checked and there were no cracks and no misfire. I had a tune up done on the vehicle in sept 2008. Engine and everything was running fine. As for that day I have to get the Jeep to mechanic to take a look. This past summer the Jeep also would over heat in 90 degree weather and it mostly happened when the AC was turned on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252069, filed 2008-12, 159,600 miles“Bought car used w/49,000mi. As soon as I got it on the road, I noticed the check gauges light illuminated at a warm idle, only to find my oil pressure guage pegged at 0 PSI. Did research on the web and apparently the 0331 cast breed of cylinder heads that dc used in 2000-2001 xj's are noted for cracking after an overheat. Sure enough the vehicle had a crack in the cylinder head, which caused coolant to mix into the engine oil. Consequently, my main, rod and camshaft bearings, as well as the cylinder head itself had to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118645, filed 2005-04, 49,648 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 0% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 37 | 16% |
| 2000 | 53 | 14% |
| 1999 | 36 | 10% |
| 1998 | 30 | 8% |
| 1997 | 45 | 12% |
| 1996 | 54 | 12% |
| 1995 | 136 | 22% |
| 1994 | 79 | 15% |
| 1993 | 34 | 8% |
| 1992 | 11 | 10% |
| 1991 | 17 | 7% |
| 1990 | 28 | 10% |
| 1989 | 13 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 9% |
| 1987 | 8 | 14% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee
105 complaintsElectrical system
44 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsTires
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology