10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
124,837 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 Grand Cherokee electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Mar 122008

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 183,741 miles

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

Vehicle will shut off intermittently, regardless of speed, outside temperature, length of time engine runs, or any other conceivable factor. A few weeks ago, I drove it to a town 30 miles away and back with no issue. The next time I drove it, the engine shut off two blocks away from my residence. There is no pattern to the malfunctions nor computer codes to download. Have replaced computer, connectors to computer, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, and many other numerous parts. Various mechanics have been unable to diagnose, some have given up due to frustration. Chrysler dealerships deny ever hearing of the problem, however, I have met three other Grand Cherokee owners in person who have had identical issues. Internet searches will reveal numerous complaints for this vehicle.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 132011

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Engine stalls either at speed or during idle after 20 minutes. Will continue to stall for about 4 minutes, sometimes very hard to start during this time. Then vehicle will run fine with no problems for several hours. The next day, or after vehicle has been sitting for several hours, the process will start again. Every day it will stall after about 20 minutes - sometimes while turning, which will cause a total loss of steering ability, or while on the freeway, or while at a red light or intersection. I narrowly escaped an accident when it stalled and a big rig almost slammed into me. I have been stranded in the middle of a busy intersection multiple times because of this. When the car stalls, sometimes it runs very rough and backfires, which caused the catalytic converter to blow out. Now the catalytic converter rattles and caused my emissions test to fail with high no(ppm) output. I'm going to need to change the PCM and the catalytic converter to fix this, but this was covered under a recall for 1996 vehicles with this same problem. Jeep issued an emissions recall in late 2006 to update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on certain 1996 vehicles. As part of the recall, the catalytic converter will also be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. 1997 vehicles experiencing the exact same problem were not included in this recall for some reason. Please include the 1997 vehicles in this recall.

- Sunland, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 092011

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 163,657 miles
While driving on highway Jeep lost power then stalled and would not start up right away, after 10 minutes it restarted and was ok. Once again today it did the same thing and after taking it to a repair shop they said that the engine computer must be replaced.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #10

Jul 012007

Grand Cherokee 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

Since 2007 the Jeep has stalled without warning and there has been trouble with interior lighting. Recently a aaa emergency repair truck changed the battery and suggested new battery clamps. A visit to an auto repair store revealed that the clamps on the car were the wrong size. When the auto store worker replaced the clamp with the correct size the lighting system started to work. It has been several weeks and there has been no stalling. I think the clamps were the original ones on the vehicle.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #9

Sep 212011

Grand Cherokee

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was driving 40 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle only for it to stall a second time. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing which resulted in a faulty ignition coil. The mechanic replaced the ignition coil but the repair did not remedy the stalling failure. The mechanic suggested that the computer be changed in the vehicle but warned the contact that the replacement may not remedy the failure. The contact was concerned because no one could determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #8

Jan 192011

Grand Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
My 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls intermittently. Usually somewhere between 15 and 60 miles per hour. No warning, no lights and no shudders;it just quits. Most times it will restart on its own but lately it has taken longer to restart. The crankshaft position sensor, throttle position sensor, idle air control valve, coil, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor and cam shaft position sensor have all been changed or checked. I am currently running the car with a large hose clamp around the computer and it's plugs. So far my "fix" is working. My stalls have occurred on straight roads, in a curve I believe this problem could lead to a loss of control due to no power steering/brakes when the car is dead.

- Kathleen, GA, USA

problem #7

Oct 272010

Grand Cherokee

  • 171,000 miles

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

I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee that stalls. Hot or cold, night or day, idling at a light or going 75mph down the interstate. I have had the fuel pump replaced, the fuel system cleaned, the O2 sensor replaces, the water pump replaced, the crank sensor replaced, the map sensor replaced, and the ignition coil replaced (I do still have the old ignition coil). It's in the shop now, and after doing some online research, I have found hundreds of people having the same problem, most of them being charged an outrageous amount of money by Jeep dealers who, ultimately, do not fix the problem. I would not be so concerned, but like many Jeep owners, I have small children. The problem started almost a year ago, happens daily, and if it should happen on a busy road or highway when I am going 60+mph, I am concerned about my safety and that of my kids.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #6

Jun 292010

Grand Cherokee 4WD 6-cyl

  • 260,000 miles
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L intermittently stalls. Prolonged diagnosis appears to be problem with PCM and defective harness connectors causing misdiagnosis from repair facilities to ineffectively replace other components at great expense. Stalling whiling operating vehicle results in backfires and at times loss of power steering etc and potentially control of vehicle.

- Gold Canyon, AZ, USA

problem #5

Feb 142010

Grand Cherokee

  • 120,000 miles
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 litre engine with intermittent stalling problems. Most electrical sensors including the computer have been replaced. Numerous Jeep owners have had this problem but Jeep ignores it. See: forums.cnet.com/5208-7811_102-0.html?threadid=248386&tag=forum-w;forums06 there are more than 550 post addressing this problem.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 012002

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,003 miles
1. came out of gear when in park and crashed sustaining $5000 dollars in damage. Had received a letter from daimler-Chrysler in 2002, however it was not dated stating the car could do this. No recalls were present at the time. They denied any problem when car crashed. Called an attorney who was a relative that told without a doubt (100%) the car would do this. He then called me back and stated he could not represent me because he represented daimler-Chrysler. He was hired by Chrysler after he bought a viper from them that was a lemon and he shoved it you know where and won. They realized what an outstanding attorney he was then hired him. Talk about family ethics. They finally installed the secondary detent system in 12/2008. I was told it was repaired. 2 the car is stalling at high speeds, during U turns, while at stop signs. It to dangerous to drive. Jeep keeps telling me they can not find anything on diagnostics. I was out of town 250 miles from home and they want me to drive an unsafe vehicle back to the. They have been rude, evasive and blaming me. After $500 there diagnostics showed nothing. It has been to 5 other mechanics and know one has been able to diagnose the problem. I now have a 1997 Grand Cherokee limited that is loaded that is dangerous and worth nothing. 3 if they insist on arbitration and a chance to fix it you will lose. It is worth your money to hire a lemon law attorney from the very beginning.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012000

Grand Cherokee 4WD

  • miles

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

The sending unit was originally recalled under campaign number 97V194000. When I contacted the manufacturer, I was informed that there are no recalls outstanding on my vehicle. The unit was supposedly replaced by the manufacturer before it was sold to me. However, it is apparent to me that the replacement sending unit is not any more reliable than the original part.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #2

Jul 011997

Grand Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical system failed.

- Los Angele, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 011998

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Electrical system/ battery failed.

- Houston, TX, USA

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