10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,534 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #17

Jan 202004

Cherokee

  • 164,000 miles
Engine check light continued to stay on. Transmission control module malfunctioned.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #16

Aug 152003

Cherokee

  • 100,080 miles
While driving the vehicle at an undetermined speed, the fuel light illuminated on the dashboard, then the vehicle stalled out. The consumer had made contact with the dealership on four separate occasions and the problem still occurred. Please provide any additional information.

- Medford, OK, USA

problem #15

Jul 312003

Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine stalls when fuel level is 1/2 to 1/4 full, especially so when making turns. There are dozens and dozens of other Jeep Cherokee owners whom I have spoke to that also have this problem. Just visit any of the Jeep owners internet message boards such as jeepforum.com, jeepsunlimited.com, or jeepin.com and do a search. You will find a suprizing number of results.

- Lindstrom, MN, USA

problem #14

Nov 071999

Cherokee

  • miles
Motor mounts were replaced twice. Consumer was traveling on highway and felt a vibration inside of vehicle. He was able to pull over. Vehicle had to be towed.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #13

Jul 112001

Cherokee

  • miles
Was driving 65mph and heard a clunking noise. Had taken vehicle to priviate mechanic, and was informed that bolts had either sheared off or were broken off on right side motor mounts. This caused engine to drop onto frame. First time vehicle was diabled. Currently, this was second time. Advised not to drive vehicle.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

problem #12

Mar 302001

Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle hit a pothole, dropped 3 inches on right side. Consumer pulled over, and noticed 3 of the bolts holding engine had broken off. Right engine mount bolts broke off in the block, causing a broken fan shroud, fan blade was hitting inner fender wall.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #11

Apr 012001

Cherokee

  • miles
Engine bolts that hold engine up have broken off after hitting a pothole. Contacted a dealer.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #10

Mar 162001

Cherokee

  • miles
Consumer is not sure what engine problems are. Sending form to consumer, detail information will be added.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #9

Dec 042000

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling 65 mph & vehicle started making a real loud noise. Consumer pulled over to see what was wrong, it seemed okay to drive vehicle home. Next day vehicle was taken to garage, motor bolts broke off. Dealer was contacted, but because of no warranty, they didn't seem concerned.

- Blaxton, MS, USA

problem #8

Sep 102000

Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
How can the freon in a system outlast the system itself? there must be something wrong when the bearings in the system freeze U, P causing the belt to burn up and totally disabling the automobile.

- Roscommon, MI, USA

problem #7

May 272000

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving engine check light came on. Consumer pulled over to check under the hood. Consumer indicated that before engine check light came on, gears were slipping. A couple of days before, engine quit and vehicle would not go over 25mph. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was a common transmission problem. Dealer rebuilt transmission. At another time, consumer heard a loud bang. She stopped/looked under car, and noticed oil on the back window due to engine rod breaking off, piercing three holes in oil pan. No warning at all, and then vehicle died.

- Grandville, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 262000

Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Passenger's motor mount bolts shearing off in engine block during normal use. It has happened to a number of people with the 4.0L engine & Chrysler knows about this & has come up w/ a fix concerning this problem. This is a very dangerious condition & it should be addressed this way. Chrysler is refusing to pay for this repair saying it is not covered under the extended warranty. The only reason this failure is accurring is because the bolts are probably being over torqued or of poor grade. Please help because I'm not alone with this problem.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 152000

Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
Motor mount bolts sheared letting motor drop which damaged fan shroud.

- Neoga, IL, USA

problem #4

Oct 131999

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle hesitates and stalls in traffic and backfires when driver applies gas

- St Paul, MN, USA

problem #3

Oct 021999

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving at about 45 mph engine dropped, and consumer had to get off the road.

- Williamstown, 00, USA

problem #2

Aug 091999

(reported on)

Cherokee

  • miles
Motor mount bolts sheared off, allowing the engine to shift while in motion, also causing increased vibration in the vehicle. Dealer said bolts need to be replaced.

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

problem #1

Jul 211997

Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Crankshaft failed.

- North Wale, PA, USA