1997 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
230 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
104,040 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 230 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 33 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 25 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 |
| Fuel System, Other | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 25; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline: 10; Fuel System, Other: 10; Electrical System: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 15
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 182 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 66 |
| 2001 | 52 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 37 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 66; 2001: 52; 2002: 22; 2003: 37; 2004: 13; 2005: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2018: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019324 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
THE BRAKES MADE NOISE WHEN APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020455 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001128 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS 97V194002 ON FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN PERFORMED CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026534 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. CONSUMER PUSHED VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND FILLED THE GAS TANK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE GAS GUAGE READ 1/3. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL SENDING UNIT BUT, THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001668 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055379 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 164,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055380 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 164,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056877 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
1997 JEEP CHEROKEE; SINCE APPROX 84,500 MILES TURN SIGNALS (BOTH DIRECTIONS) HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THEY INDICATE APPROPRIATE TURN BUT DO NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION. DEALER SAYS SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACING AT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350.00. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS SINCE ABOUT 1956 AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE ORIGINAL WORKMANSHIP/MATERIALS ARE A BIG QUESTION IN MY MIND.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069497 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
RADIATOR & VARIOUS AC PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. STEERING GAVE OUT IN 2002. A SCREW WENT THROUGH AN ENGINE PART. RECENTLY, A JOINT CONNECTING THE AXEL TO THE STEERING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL PUMP FAILED. INCREDIBLY, IT IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT JEEP GAS TANKS CORRODE ON THE INSIDE, THUS CLOGGING THE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE LABOR. THERE IS STILL THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS NEW FUEL PUMP MAY ALSO FAIL, BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS NOT REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I\\\\\…
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002578 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, THE COOLING FAN CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL BATTERY WAS DRAINED COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVEABLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093790 · 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)
BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AT 78K MILES EXCESSIVE LIQUID DRAINING WHEN RUNNING AC WAS TOLD THAT MOTOR HAD BEEN "REDESIGNED" AND THAT PARTS ALONE WOULD COST OVER 300.00 BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO REDESIGNING THE MOTOR, A NEW WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE INSTALLED!!! REMEMBER THE 300.00 IS FOR THE HARD PART AND WIRING ONLY, NOT THE LABOR TO INSTALL...THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS WHEN A MOTOR FOR THE SAME MODEL MANUFACTURED A YEAR EARLIER IS ONLY 20.00!!!!! AS FAR AS THE EXCESSIVE LIQUIDS RUNNING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE THE AC IS RUNNING, THIS SITE WAS THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093790 at NHTSA ↗