1997 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
727 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
118,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 199 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 110 of 727 complaints (15.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 124 | 17.1% |
| Engine operation | 69 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 63 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 54 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 45 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 110 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 53 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 48 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 46 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 33 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 33 |
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 31 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch: 110; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 53; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 48; Fuel/Propulsion System: 46; Fuel System, Gasoline: 33; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 33; Electrical System: 31; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 31
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 33 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 71 |
| 150,000 and above | 57 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 33; 100,000 to 149,999: 71; 150,000 and above: 57
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 528 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 | 115 |
| 2001 | 223 |
| 2002 | 89 |
| 2003 | 59 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 115; 2001: 223; 2002: 89; 2003: 59; 2004: 22; 2005: 18; 2006: 15; 2007: 9; 2008: 14; 2009: 10; 2010: 17; 2011: 11; 2012: 11; 2013: 12; 2014: 44; 2015: 40; 2016: 4; 2017: 8; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 124 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 69 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 63 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 10004727 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKES GRINDING. NAR 1/22/2003 THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STOPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS 2 BAD FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS AND 2 BAD FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. WHEN THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAD ISSUED A RECALL AND NOW THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011927 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAD TO CRASH INTO A HOUSE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002323 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T READ CORRECTLY AND STALLS. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS *DT
Owner-reported narrative. 115,057 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025565 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. CAUSES LOSS OF POWER OR STALL OUT DURING ACCELERATION FOR PASSING, OR WHILE CLIMBING STEEP GRADES. OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE WARM-UP, WITH LOW FUEL TANK (LESS THAN HALF TANK), AND OFTEN WHILE MAKING A TURN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004915 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE THREE (3) RECALLS FOR A DEFECT FUEL GAUGE/FUEL PUMP. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 97V194000, NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 97V194001 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 97V194002. CHRYSLER CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE A 1967 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LOREDO. VIN #[XXX] REPAIRS COST $641.56 I FEEL THAT THIS AMOUNT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,798 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005901 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
GAS GAUGE DIDN'T PROPERLY INDICATE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL. THREE DEALERS DIAGNOSED DEFECT AS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT LOCATED WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. RELATED RECALL 97V194000. CONSUMER'S V.I.N. WAS NOT INCLUDED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002251 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE COOLER HOSE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE. TS SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 55,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007709 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE,I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS ,THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH COLD WEATHER SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO GROWLING IN REAR END WHEN BACKING.HOWEVER I AM CONVINCE THAT THIS IS A COMPANY DEFAULT.PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE .
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007192 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
THE BOLT IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036940 · 2003-08-31 (August 31, 2003)
VEHICLE DRIVEN AT 60-65MPH ON FREEWAY, HIT SEVERAL BUMPS IN ROAD. VEHICLE FRONT RIGHT END BEGAN SHAKING LIKE HAD A BLOWN OUT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, CHECKED OUT, TOLD STEERING DAMPNER NEEDED REPLACED. REPLACED DAMPNER. DROVE 20 MILES, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 121,668 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024710 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110355 · 2005-02-11 (February 11, 2005)
1. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT LED TO A SPONTANEOUS FIRE IN MY AUTOMOBILE (JEEP) 2) IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CONFIRMED BY THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE WIRING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110355 at NHTSA ↗