2001 Jeep Cherokee Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 229 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, 3% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Started noticing loss of oil pressure and then coolant. The engine continues to run fine but has gotten to the point that its losing 1 gallon of anti. Every two weeks or so. When I started to look around on line and other places, (junk yards) everyone I talked to says they have had the same problem with their jeeps. Why if d.c. Produced these faulty heads on their jeeps didn't they recall them to fix?”
NHTSA complaint #10489434, filed 2012-12, 57,000 miles“As with many other Jeep owners with the 4.0 engine (hundreds that I have seen) my 2001 Jeep Cherokee's cylinder head cracked. Mine was at 117k miles, and the average mileage for failure seems to be 100k - 120k miles. This is a definite design flaw. My Jeep was well maintained and should not have had a cracked cylinder head. I ask NHTSA to contact current owners of Jeep 4.0 engines to really see how often this fault occurs. Chrysler seems to take no responsibility for this, which is why I am asking the NHTSA to investigate.”
NHTSA complaint #11023480, filed 2017-09, 117,000 miles“In the 2000 and 2001 cherokees with the 4.0 engine head casting 0331 chrysler knew about the cylinder heads cracking. In 2002 they contracted with tupy manufacturing in brazil to remake the head casting that ran until the 4.0 was stopped being used by them. Mine has since cracked and chrysler says that no factory recall was done and such I'm stuck with a cracked head that they knew was faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #10940248, filed 2017-01, 146,000 miles“After loosing coolant at about a 1/2 per week, finally decided to pull the head and check to see if it has the famous Jeep 4.0l, 0331 head casting and is known to be weak. Yep, I have the bad head with cracks. There should be a recall for this as it has a high failure rate.....”
NHTSA complaint #10616589, filed 2014-07, 120,000 miles“Slowly loosing antifreeze, antifreeze mixed with oil. Found to be cracked head, apparently a common issue with this vehicle. Replaced head. A few months after replacement of head, started to loose antifreeze again replaced head again in nov 2014. Had vehicle back for one week, lost all antifreeze, mixed with oil again. Have been told that 2000 and 2001 Jeep cherokees and grand cherokees have a very high rate of this happening. There should be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10655132, filed 2014-11, 90,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2022 | 8 | 15% |
| 2021 | 28 | 16% |
| 2020 | 46 | 14% |
| 2019 | 459 | 27% |
| 2018 | 155 | 23% |
| 2017 | 260 | 19% |
| 2016 | 314 | 22% |
| 2015 | 364 | 20% |
| 2014 | 516 | 19% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 4 | 1% |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee
56 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSeats
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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