Total Complaints
62 filings
JEEP LAREDO · model year
62 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997JEEPLAREDO carries 62 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 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 LAREDO is structure:body:door with 4 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (3). 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 29 investigation files overlapping the 1997 LAREDO, and 3 remain open. 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
62 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
I OWN A 1997 JEEP LAREDO & RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) NO DEALERSHIP SO I DROVE 120 MILES TO NEAREST JEEP SERVICE DEPT. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS THEN STATED THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I NEVER HEARD BACK. SINCE THEN I APPLIED FOR THE $100 GIFT CARD AND THEY SAID I AM INELIGIBLE SINCE THE ITEM WAS ALREADY REPAIRED. THIS JEEP HAS SO MANY ISSUES. ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE VEHICLE THAT CUTS OUT STEREO, BLINKERS, RUNNING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS. ITS NOT THE FUSES EITHER. THE DRIVERS DOOR HINGES ARE ROTTING. THE CAR NOW STALLS DAILY EVEN WHEN GOING FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS SEIZED AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT NOW WON'T PASS SMOG TESTS. THE FRONT CAR SHAKES AND NEEDS TIE RODS. I AM EXPERIENCING
Mileage: 200,000
I OWN A 1997 JEEP LAREDO & RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) NO DEALERSHIP SO I DROVE 120 MILES TO NEAREST JEEP SERVICE DEPT. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS THEN STATED THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I NEVER HEARD BACK. SINCE THEN I APPLIED FOR THE $100 GIFT CARD AND THEY SAID I AM INELIGIBLE SINCE THE ITEM WAS ALREADY REPAIRED. THIS JEEP HAS SO MANY ISSUES. ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE VEHICLE THAT CUTS OUT STEREO, BLINKERS, RUNNING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS. ITS NOT THE FUSES EITHER. THE DRIVERS DOOR HINGES ARE ROTTING. THE CAR NOW STALLS DAILY EVEN WHEN GOING FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS SEIZED AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT NOW WON'T PASS SMOG TESTS. THE FRONT CAR SHAKES AND NEEDS TIE RODS. I AM EXPERIENCING
Mileage: 200,000
I OWN A 1997 JEEP LAREDO & RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) NO DEALERSHIP SO I DROVE 120 MILES TO NEAREST JEEP SERVICE DEPT. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS THEN STATED THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I NEVER HEARD BACK. SINCE THEN I APPLIED FOR THE $100 GIFT CARD AND THEY SAID I AM INELIGIBLE SINCE THE ITEM WAS ALREADY REPAIRED. THIS JEEP HAS SO MANY ISSUES. ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE VEHICLE THAT CUTS OUT STEREO, BLINKERS, RUNNING LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS. ITS NOT THE FUSES EITHER. THE DRIVERS DOOR HINGES ARE ROTTING. THE CAR NOW STALLS DAILY EVEN WHEN GOING FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS SEIZED AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT NOW WON'T PASS SMOG TESTS. THE FRONT CAR SHAKES AND NEEDS TIE RODS. I AM EXPERIENCING
Mileage: 200,000
MY 97 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO, IS HAVING STALLING ISSUES,I'VE CHANGED NUMEROUS SENSORS, FUEL PUMP, DISTRIBUTOR, THE VEHICLE WILL DRIVE FIND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN OUT OF THE BLUE IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING,HAVE NO PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT OF IT STARTING BACK UP,BUT THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATING WITH ALL THE MONEY AND TIME I'VE SPENT TRYING TO FIGURE THIS PROBLEM OUT, AND TO FIND OUT THAT OTHER ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES.PLEASE IF ANY WAY POSSIBLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP MYSELF AND THE OTHER FIND A SOLUTION TO THESE ISSUES. *TR
Mileage: 175,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION IT ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES BECAME DISENGAGED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION IT ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES BECAME DISENGAGED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I DRIVE A 1997 JEEP LAREDO IT BACK FIRES AND STALLS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. IT HAS STALLED AT A STOP LIGHTS. AND HELP UP TRAFFIC HAVE REPLACED SENSORS AND NOW GOING TO TRY CHANGING FUEL PUMP. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF HOW SAFE IS THAT CAME CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED BY A SEMI WITH MY GRAND KIDS IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF IT CUTTING OUT AND LOOSING POWER AT 55MPH THESE JEEPS ARE DEATH TRAPS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AND THEN ITS TO LATE WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE AND HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 146,000
I DRIVE A 1997 JEEP LAREDO IT BACK FIRES AND STALLS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. IT HAS STALLED AT A STOP LIGHTS. AND HELP UP TRAFFIC HAVE REPLACED SENSORS AND NOW GOING TO TRY CHANGING FUEL PUMP. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF HOW SAFE IS THAT CAME CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED BY A SEMI WITH MY GRAND KIDS IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF IT CUTTING OUT AND LOOSING POWER AT 55MPH THESE JEEPS ARE DEATH TRAPS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AND THEN ITS TO LATE WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE AND HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 146,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP LAREDO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS THAT WERE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
VEHICLE STALLS AND CUT OFF AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES IT CRANKS BACK UP ,OTHER TIMES IMMOBILE HAVE TO WAIT 20-30 MINS TO RESTART. BACKFIRES. BLOWN OUT 2 MUFFLERS. SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON NEEDLESS PARTS. SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS,ROTARY CAP ETC. STILL STALLS,CUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.INSIDE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK.HAD TO REMOVE FUSE,LIGHTS REMAIN ON ALL THE TIME. VERY UNSAFE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL RUN OR STOP.STALLING WILL CAUSE SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION AND MAYBE CAUSE FIRE.WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS,I AM SHOCKED THERE IS NO RECALL.THESE JEEPS ARE UNRELIABLE,UNSAFE,EMBARRASSING AND ONEDAY WILL CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT .ABS LIGHT ON,ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT.I HAVE SPENT MOST OF DAYS AT THE MECHANIC.JEEP DEALERSHIP WILL NOT INTERVENE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
VEHICLE STALLS AND CUT OFF AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES IT CRANKS BACK UP ,OTHER TIMES IMMOBILE HAVE TO WAIT 20-30 MINS TO RESTART. BACKFIRES. BLOWN OUT 2 MUFFLERS. SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON NEEDLESS PARTS. SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS,ROTARY CAP ETC. STILL STALLS,CUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.INSIDE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK.HAD TO REMOVE FUSE,LIGHTS REMAIN ON ALL THE TIME. VERY UNSAFE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL RUN OR STOP.STALLING WILL CAUSE SERIOUS REAR END COLLISION AND MAYBE CAUSE FIRE.WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS,I AM SHOCKED THERE IS NO RECALL.THESE JEEPS ARE UNRELIABLE,UNSAFE,EMBARRASSING AND ONEDAY WILL CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT .ABS LIGHT ON,ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT.I HAVE SPENT MOST OF DAYS AT THE MECHANIC.JEEP DEALERSHIP WILL NOT INTERVENE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP LAREDO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Mileage: 100,000
STALLING OUT ISSUE. WENT FROM INTERMITTENT TO FREQUENT. STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR LEAVING A STOP. HAVE REPLACED 3 PCM'S, 1/2 WIRING HARNESS, TOO MANY SENSORS TO COUNT, FUEL PUMP, ETC. HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS & THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. NO CODES EITHER. TEMPERATURE & SPEED DO NOT MATTER IT JUST CONSTANTLY STALLS. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. THERE IS NO LIGHTS, SOUNDS, NOTHING WHEN IT STALLS. IT JUST CUTS OUT. NO STEERING EITHER! ALSO THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE REPLACED ONCE AND NEED TO AGAIN, AND THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE HAS ISSUES, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL I HAVE REPLACED TOO. MY MECHANIC HAS SPENT 6 YEARS TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. HE EVEN HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO NO AVAIL. CHRYSLER WILL NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HE EVEN SENT MY TRUCK TO ANOTHER GARAGE FOR EVALUATION. IT STALLED ON THEM TOO HOWEVER THEY COULD NOT FIND
I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES THREW THE YEARS ALL BEING AROUND THE 1997 MODEL WITH THE V8. EVERY SINGLE ONE IVE HAD HAD A A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND RECENTLY IM HAVING TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS WHERE IT WILL NOT SHIFT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AS THE OTHER 2 I HAD SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG AND IT WINTER AND IM WITHOUT 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND MAYBE A BAD TRANSMISSION AGAIN IF U COULD LOOK INTO IT PLEASE I WOULD BE GRATEFUL. *LN
Mileage: 127,800
I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES THREW THE YEARS ALL BEING AROUND THE 1997 MODEL WITH THE V8. EVERY SINGLE ONE IVE HAD HAD A A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND RECENTLY IM HAVING TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS WHERE IT WILL NOT SHIFT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AS THE OTHER 2 I HAD SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG AND IT WINTER AND IM WITHOUT 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND MAYBE A BAD TRANSMISSION AGAIN IF U COULD LOOK INTO IT PLEASE I WOULD BE GRATEFUL. *LN
Mileage: 127,800
I HAVE A 1997 JEEP LAREDO THAT I PURCHASED OVER 2 YEARS AGO FROM A USED CAR DEALER. THE STALLING PROBLEM STARTED AROUND JANUARY 2008. AT FIRST IT JUST STALLS WHEN ON IDLE OR WHEN TURNING. NOW IT IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT JUST DIED. WE HAVE CHANGED THE CRACK SENSOR, THE OIL, COIL, CAP AND ROTOR, TRANSMISSION FLUID. OXYGEN SENSOR WAS CHANGED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE MECHANIC 2X AND HE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. NO WARNING CODE SHOWS ON THE DASH. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND DISCOVERED I'M NOT ALONE. IT IS NOW APRIL 2008 AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BRING IT TO THE MECHANIC TO TRY AND FIND THE PROBLEM. WHAT CAN WE JEEP OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DO ABOUT THIS? THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL BUT IT DOESN'T COVER 1997 JEEPS. I SAW THE RECALL ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
AS I TRY TO BRAKE I GET THIS AIR LOSE FEELING ON MY BRAKES AS IF I AM NOT ABLE TO BRAKE ON TIME. AND SOON AS THAT HAPPENS MY ABS LIGHT GOES ON. I'VE TAKEN IN THE CAR IN AND NOBODY SEEMS TO FIND A PROBLEM LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR THAT PROBLEM THE MECHANIC HAD 3 OTHER CAR SAME AS MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID TO BE ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED DUE TO NOT KNOWING IF I WILL BE ABLE TO BRAKE ON TIME. *TR
Mileage: 113,050
THE JEEP WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLE AT 45 MPH. THE CHASE CONNECTED TO THE TRACK BAR MOUNT BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED.. AFTER TALKING WITH A BODY SHOP 3/8'' STEEL PLATE WELDED TO THE CHASE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WARNING IT COMES FROM METAL FATIGUE!!!! THE MAIN PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE THE TRACK BAR MOUNT AND CHASE. *NM
Mileage: 113
THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE CHANGING. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BREAKS AT THE WELDS WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I HAVE ALREADY FIXED THIS PROBLEM ONCE BEFORE, AND NOW IT HAS TO BE FIXED AGAIN BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING IN TO THE VEHICLE WHEN WINDOWS ARE UP AND HEATER IS ON. *NM
Mileage: 130,500
THE HOOD ON MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO FLEW OPEN ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON AN OVERHEAD RAMP AND WHEN I WENT OVER THE EXPANSION SECTION THE SLIGHT BUMP WAS APPARENTLY JUST ENOUGH FOR THE HOOD TO FLIP OPEN. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT BREAK AND LATE ENOUGH (10 PM) THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL IT OVER BEFORE I HIT ANYTHING OR DROVE OVER THE SIDE OF THE RAMP, HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND FENDERS COST $2,300 TO REPAIR! *NM
Mileage: 112,000
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
Underhood fires
Loss of Motive Power
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
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.