10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 082010

Cherokee

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Went out to go somewhere and it had a hard time starting. As I began to drive down the road my Jeep started to backfire, all of a sudden it cut off and the steering wheel locked up and the lights went out it was dark so I could of been injured. When I got it to crank back my ABS light has been on ever since and we have bought about 5 hundred dollars in parts and tried everything we know to do even the mechanics we have asked about it have no answers for us, we can't afford to buy another vehicle and no one wants to buy it from us because of all of the problems we have had with our Jeep!

- Hilliard, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 172010

Cherokee

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 40 mph, the accelerator pedal stuck. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the accelerator cable and throttle body were greased. A week later, while driving, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate; the contact applied the brakes and parked. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the throttle body and accelerator cable stuck. Also, the air bag light stayed illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000 and the current mileage was 155,202.

- Jackson Heights, NY, USA

problem #10

Sep 232008

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle incident 09/23/08 approx. 2:55-3:00 P.M. on highway 90, milton, fl driving a 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 4 cars in total were involved I was stopped far back in a line of cars waiting for a red light to turn green. The line began to move up slowly, I let my foot up from the brake and within seconds the Jeep accelerated forward, I immediately applied pressure to the brakes the car slowed temporarily but continued to surge forward in a jerking hopping motion. My vehicle impacted the car ahead of me. I looked down to make sure I was applying pressure to the brakes; my passenger was already checking as well. Seeing that I was (my foot never touched the gas pedal during any of this) and that the car was still pushing forward I was forced to turn off the ignition to stop the vehicle. The officer did not cite me though of course my vehicle was still responsible. The officer in her report stated that she believed the impact, to the car my Jeep struck, was at 45 mp/H because of the amount of damage to the rear end. This of course was not possible since I was at a stopped position starting to coast forward; the extent of the damage was due to the Jeep hitting the car multiple times as it continued to accelerate while I was braking. After the incident the car was taken to the dealer, no overt cause was found. Through personal research I have found similar incidents linked to the cruise control system (even when not turned on), because of this we are in the process of having it disconnected. My family is extremely tentative to drive the vehicle till this problem is resolved.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #9

Jul 032003

(reported on)

Cherokee 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle was parked but running. When the driver opened the door the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The consumer requested reimbursement for medical bills.

- Evansville, WY, USA

problem #8

May 272003

Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was parked but running. When the driver opened the door the vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning.. consumer sustained injuries from being dragged.

- Evansville, WY, USA

problem #7

Jul 162001

(reported on)

Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on highway at 60 mph vehicle slipped out of gear from drive into neutral, and rpms were racing from 2-3. also, transmission fluid was leaking and vehicle was jerking, vehicle was pulled to side of road. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who later determined that transmission had failed, and needed replacing. Consumer no longer owns this vehicle.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #6

Oct 222000

Cherokee 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I feel all these falures are related. The fuel indication happened first on 10/16/00 but the rest was on the dates indicated. I have noticed factory recalls for these problem for my year Jeep, but my VIN supposedly does not require any service. I am dissapionted in Jeep since this is happening so close to the warranteed time.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #5

Mar 201999

Cherokee 4WD

  • miles
None

- Fort Ashby, WV, USA

problem #4

Jul 221997

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle roll over and collision.

- Port Angel, WA, USA

problem #3

Sep 201998

Cherokee

  • miles
Was shifting into reverse when vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards. Had foot on brakes at time & not able to stop. Before acceleration, a loud roaring (like revving) sound heard. Had hit brick wall. Taken vehicle to dealer to check out.

- Kennett Square, PA, USA

problem #2

Oct 011997

Cherokee 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tpc sensor failed.

- North Wale, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 011997

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving at 15 mph the vehicle jerked forward and sped up, causing the vehicle to roll over, and braking system did not work. This happen twice.

- Sale, AL, USA

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