Total Complaints
1433 filings
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE · model year
1433 NHTSA complaints, 143 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE carries 1433 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 143 crashes, 28 fires, 112 injuries, and 9 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 GRAND CHEROKEE is power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch with 127 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (82) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (78). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 6 investigation files overlapping the 1997 GRAND CHEROKEE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1433 filings
Crashes Reported
143 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 127 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 82 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 78 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 77 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 54 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 53 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 46 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM | 44 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 38 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 34 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 33 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 32 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 30 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 27 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 |
The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to stop the vehicle. After which, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop, only coming to a complete stop after going off the road into a drainage ditch and rolling over on its roof. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed from the scene but not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 250,000.
Mileage: 250,000
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING EXCESSIVELY SO I CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE . WHEN ENTERING VEHICLES VIN # IT STATES 0 OPENED RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE, NOT SURE IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE WITH REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONSTANTLY GOWS DOWN ON ITS ON EVERY TIME I STARTED THE IGNITION. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU
Mileage: 188,000
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FLUCTUATING EXCESSIVELY SO I CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE . WHEN ENTERING VEHICLES VIN # IT STATES 0 OPENED RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE, NOT SURE IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES WERE WITH REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONSTANTLY GOWS DOWN ON ITS ON EVERY TIME I STARTED THE IGNITION. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU
Mileage: 188,000
THE HORN ON MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STOPPED WORKING A YEAR AGO, AFFECTING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHERS OF SAFETY ISSUES. MECHANICS TELL ME THE HORN "BUTTON" IS EMBEDDED IN THE SAFETY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE, COSTLY AIRBAG. THAT CAN BE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I BELIEVE THAT HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH , WHICH REQUIRED REPLACING THE AIR BAG. OR, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADD A SUPPLEMENTAL SWITCH ON THE DASH TO CONTROL THE HORN.
Mileage: 120,000
THE HORN ON MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STOPPED WORKING A YEAR AGO, AFFECTING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHERS OF SAFETY ISSUES. MECHANICS TELL ME THE HORN "BUTTON" IS EMBEDDED IN THE SAFETY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE, COSTLY AIRBAG. THAT CAN BE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I BELIEVE THAT HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH , WHICH REQUIRED REPLACING THE AIR BAG. OR, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADD A SUPPLEMENTAL SWITCH ON THE DASH TO CONTROL THE HORN.
Mileage: 120,000
ECM HAS A FAULT CIRCUIT BOARD PER DEALER AND NEEDS REPLACING . CAUSES COMPLETER POWER FAILURE AND ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING , ALL ELECTRICAL GOES OUT -- NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT OR EMERGENCY FLASHERS -- AND POWER BRAKES FAIL TO WORK . THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME , STOPPED OR ON THE ROAD .
Mileage: 120,000
ECM HAS A FAULT CIRCUIT BOARD PER DEALER AND NEEDS REPLACING . CAUSES COMPLETER POWER FAILURE AND ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING , ALL ELECTRICAL GOES OUT -- NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT OR EMERGENCY FLASHERS -- AND POWER BRAKES FAIL TO WORK . THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME , STOPPED OR ON THE ROAD .
Mileage: 120,000
ECM HAS A FAULT CIRCUIT BOARD PER DEALER AND NEEDS REPLACING . CAUSES COMPLETER POWER FAILURE AND ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING , ALL ELECTRICAL GOES OUT -- NO LIGHTS AT NIGHT OR EMERGENCY FLASHERS -- AND POWER BRAKES FAIL TO WORK . THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME , STOPPED OR ON THE ROAD .
Mileage: 120,000
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT TIME WHEN JUST DRIVING ALONG ON CITY STREETS
Mileage: 120,000
WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION TO GROUND FOR THE PCM. GROUND WOULD NOT ALLOW FUEL PUMP TO WORK PROPERLY WITHOUT MAJOR WORK TO THE WIRING HARNESS.
Mileage: 260,000
WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION TO GROUND FOR THE PCM. GROUND WOULD NOT ALLOW FUEL PUMP TO WORK PROPERLY WITHOUT MAJOR WORK TO THE WIRING HARNESS.
Mileage: 260,000
VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING . CAR CAN BE GOING 70 AND STALL OR JUST FAIL TO MOVE WHILE STILL RUNNING THEN STALL. THIS WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY AND SOMETIMES WILL RESULT IN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH THEN GOES OUT AGAIN AND THE CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR DAYS THEN HAPPEN AGAIN.
Mileage: 189,900
THE COOLANT SENSOR BAD IS CONSTANTLY ON. CHANGED THAT . WENT OUT ON AND OFF. THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY RADIATOR BLEW APART AT THE SEAM SIDE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. NO WARNING LIGHT .NO CHANGE IN COOLANT TEMP. AND THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS CHECKED RIGHT BEFORE I LEFT THAT DAY! HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AT THIS POINT
Mileage: 218,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OEM TRAILER HITCH WAS NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). THE DEALER (LUCAS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 1624 NJ-3838 LUMBERTON, NJ 08048, 609-288-7663) REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ UPDATED 11/3/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OEM TRAILER HITCH WAS NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). THE DEALER (LUCAS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 1624 NJ-3838 LUMBERTON, NJ 08048, 609-288-7663) REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT INSTALLED AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/01/17*LJ UPDATED 11/3/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
Mileage: 172,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GALANTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO PARTS BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,893. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mileage: 165,893
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GALANTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO PARTS BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,893. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mileage: 165,893
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GALANTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO PARTS BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,893. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mileage: 165,893
CAR SOMETIMES DOES NOT STARTS. I JUST GET A CRANKING , IS BEING LIKED THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. SPEND MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT. BUT THEY CAN NOT FIND WHAT IT IS. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I GET TO WHAT EVER I HAVE TO GO,, I PARKED LEAVE AND THEN I COMEBACK A FEW HOURS LATER. AND IT JUST CRANKS AND DOES NOT START. I LEAVE IT THERE. COMEBACK THE NEXT DAY AND THEN IS STARTS. LEFT IT W MY MECHANIC FOR A WEEK AND HE TOLD , THEY CAN NOT FIND WHAT IT IS !!!!
Seat Belt Retraction
Powered vehicle rollaway
False Positive Automated Braking
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
FAN BLADE FAILURE (ENGINE COOLING FAN)
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.