2001 Jeep Cherokee Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 229 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of the 229 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10471468, filed 2012-08, 125,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10508571, filed 2013-04, 156,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10164759, filed 2006-07, 59,650 miles“Consumer states that the steering wheel shimmers excessively when driving making it difficult to maintain vehicle control. Dealer diagnosed cracked steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #10032055, filed 2003-08, 6,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10377078, filed 2011-01, 138,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 6% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 22 | 7% |
| 2019 | 120 | 7% |
| 2018 | 30 | 4% |
| 2017 | 45 | 3% |
| 2016 | 54 | 4% |
| 2015 | 59 | 3% |
| 2014 | 119 | 4% |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 3% |
| 1997 | 11 | 3% |
| 1996 | 37 | 8% |
| 1995 | 22 | 4% |
| 1994 | 13 | 3% |
| 1993 | 18 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 3% |
| 1991 | 3 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 3 | 2% |
| 1988 | 5 | 5% |
| 1987 | 7 | 12% |
| 1986 | 2 | 10% |
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 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTires
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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