2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

A charmer in terms of overall performance, looks and features, only a spotty reliability record prevents us from giving the JGC our whole-hearted endorsement.

Pros

Powerful 4.7-liter V8, all-terrain capability, roomy comfort for four.

Cons

Quadra Drive whine, mushy seats detract from long-haul comfort, spotty reliability.

What's New for 2001

A new five-speed automatic tranny provides a second overdrive ratio, resulting in greater fuel economy and reduced NVH in models equipped with the 4.7-liter V8. Chrome front tow hooks are now included if you get the skid plate group on the Limited model, while the Laredo model offers a Special Appearance Group package with 17-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels, colored metallic front fascia and body cladding, body color license brow and liftgate handle, fog lamps, body side stripe, and leather seats. A hydraulically driven engine-cooling fan improves fuel economy on the 4.7-liter V8 and a quarter-turn fuel cap improves efficiency at the gas station. Limiteds get an AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player as standard equipment, along with new "Euro-style" gathered leather seats as optional. The Trailer Tow Group now includes an underdash connector to make plugging in aftermarket trailer wiring harnesses a snap. Finally, child seat tethor anchors improve the Grand Cherokee's family-friendly nature while a LEV-compliant 4.7-liter V8 makes this Jeep more earth-friendly.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

I will never buy a Jeep again!

Written by: BethAV on 11/10/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	3	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this car in 2004 and have already had to rebuild the engine (cost me $7500) and fix the heat. The heat was completely out and cost me $1500. Everytime something else goes wrong, it doesn't surprise me, I guess it is to be expected. I have a lot of other problems as well. So, I guess I have a brand new car, it only has about 3000 miles on it and I paid more for the repairs than the car was worth. I will NEVER buy a Jeep or a brand affiliated with Jeep again!!! I was informed by the mechanic that has done all my repairs (he used to work for Jeep) that Jeep Cherokees only have a life expectancy of 125K miles, that's crazy!

Favorite Features

Disk changer

Suggested Improvements

Everything...it's a limited piece of junk!

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Still tight and dependable at 133,000

Written by: Gregg S. on 10/12/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	9

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)

I bought this car at the end of '04 with 45k mi for 13 G's, It is a loaded 4.0L/2WD Laredo. Front speakers were blown, no problem just fade to back, still sounds great and is still like that today. Had a couple of cooling system problems the first year, but the 1st shop didn't fix it right so it should have only been one...$300. Bad coil pack and heater hoses in year 2...$540. Oil changes, tires and brakes years 3 4 5...all maintenance so it doesn't count. The only other cost is window regulators, which to me is maint. too since I've never had a car where they didn't fail. So $840 in repairs over 5 years...I feel blessed! No rattles, suspension is tight, engine strong, paid off...love it!!!

It is a comfortable vehicle, the size is a good compromise. It feels stable and is driver friendly. It's little but it's the only car I've had that when you turn the intermittent wipers off it doesn't give you one last wipe, I've never understood why they do that, OFF means OFF!

Wind noise at hwy speeds, but its a jeep. Windows prone to fail, but after paying $340 to fix one, I get regulators online for about $60 and install myself. Takes about an hour, and theres a learning curve on the first one, but worth it. Only MPG makes me consider a change, then I snap out of it.

looks good...runs bad

Written by: Ryan on 09/16/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	6
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)

Bought in 05 with 65,xxx miles on it. Other then routine maintenance, just switched out the alternator. Been through 3 serp belts,no idea why. CD player is crapping out on me. Front two speakers are going out. Cooling fan went out at 89,xxx. At 126,xxx, needing new relay switch, A/C light wont come on unless the defrosters are on. Alignment keeps going out. Rear axle keeps leaking. Fuel pump is starting to go out. All not major problems...but when they add up it gets annoying. My favorite part is that the car leaks water every time it rains. The weather stripping is fine except for around the sunroof. No mechanic I know can figure out why it does...

Interior...very comfy leather seats, quality vinyl, and a very simple lay out. Comfy car for four or five young adults. Exterior...paint looks great after a good clay-bay and wax. 4x4 is great during the few bad winter weeks of St. Louis Drives and shifts smoothly for an SUV. Plenty of power.

Cupholders...hard breaking or quick turns and your coffee or water bottles is going to be spilled on your lap or on the floor. A little better gas mileage on the V6. Better build quality...all the things going wrong with it lately is forcing me to buy a new car.

who would've thought

Written by: KrisM on 07/25/2009


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	5	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	6
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	8

We bought the GC for the Ohio winters. 4WD is great, but it's the stupid little things that keep breaking. The lock in the rear hatch had to be replaced, the drivers seat broke (and we couldn't get another one that wasn't broken in the same spot, so it had to be welded), This thing eats rotors for breakfast, had to replace the water pump at 40k. Other than that, it's a good vehicle

It's a Jeep. One of the best off-road vehicles on the market.

See above review. Bumper and trim fade horribly

Impressed!

Written by: Tim on 07/25/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	6	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	6	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	3	Exterior Design:	6

I bought my 01 Limited in 2007, with 100K miles. It looked well taken care of. Now at 140K miles, all I had to replace was a starter, and window motor. It runs like new, nice pick up. Only thing that doesn't work are the heated seats. Cant complain as I only paid $9000 for it. But it drives smooth and I am impressed.

Power, pretty comfortable.

Gas mileage, fautly heated seats,

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Consumer Ratings & Reviews