1997 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system14130.5%
- Brakes7516.2%
- Engine5211.3%
- Transmission367.8%
- Airbags286.1%
- Electrical255.4%
- Driver assistance163.5%
- Interior & seats143.0%
- Powertrain (other)132.8%
- Steering112.4%
- Visibility102.2%
- Suspension91.9%
- Exterior lighting71.5%
- Body & structure71.5%
- Seat belts61.3%
- Tires & wheels40.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER SHIP BECAUSE I HAD LOOKED UP ON THIS SITE MY RECALLS ONE WAS BRAKES THEY DID HAPPILY AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN FOR THE FUEL IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND IT'S A 1997 HOW CAN THEY NOT GET THE PARTS TO FIX IT YET I RAN OUT OF GAS A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND ON MY WAY TO WORK WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME WHEN I NEED MY CAR THE MOST
VEHICLE HAS HARD STARTS AND FREQUENT HESITATION AND STALLING, AT ALL SPEEDS CITY STREET DRIVING AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, COIL, INSTALLED, YET SYMPTOMS PERSIST. SUDDEN DECELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEE XJ. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. JEEP OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR OWNERS. I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POSSIBLE REMEDIES (FROM MY RESEARCH) INCLUDE MULTIPLE PARTS AND MANY HOURS OF LABOR: O2 SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, PLUGS, WIRES, CAP, ROTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, BALLAST RESISTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, TORQUE CONVERTOR, POWER CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID, ETC. WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO STALL DANGEROUSLY?
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER (CUETER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,138.
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! *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS HARD STARTS AND FREQUENT HESITATION AND STALLING, AT ALL SPEEDS CITY STREET DRIVING AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, COIL, INSTALLED, YET SYMPTOMS PERSIST. SUDDEN DECELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEE XJ. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. JEEP OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR OWNERS. I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POSSIBLE REMEDIES (FROM MY RESEARCH) INCLUDE MULTIPLE PARTS AND MANY HOURS OF LABOR: O2 SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, PLUGS, WIRES, CAP, ROTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, BALLAST RESISTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, TORQUE CONVERTOR, POWER CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID, ETC. WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO STALL DANGEROUSLY?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (VP02YOOO2068) TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE IT. *NM
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL EMERGENCY TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, BOTH THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING WERE OCCASIONALLY TURNING OFF AND ON. SIDE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS REMAINED ON. UPON INVESTIGATION FOR CAUSE, DISCOVERED CONNECTOR ON HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH WAS MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP. SUSPECT DUE TO SEVERAL CONNECTORS ON DIMMER SWITCH WERE LOOSE ADDING RESISTANCE TO THE FLOW OF CURRENT CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT IN SWITCH AND CONNECTOR. SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. SINCE THE SWITCH PROVIDES POWER DIRECTLY TO THE HEADLIGHTS, THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE SHOULD BE A RELAY CONFIGURATION TO THE HEADLIGHTS TO REDUCE CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR
1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 4.0L I6 BEGAN STALLING IN 2010 UNDER SEEMINGLY RANDOM CONDITIONS. REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP & ROTOR, IGNITION COIL, PCM) OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS TO NO AVAIL. THE DIFFERENCE CURRENTLY IS THAT THE STALL NOW ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR AT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 65-70 DEGREES F. THE COLDER THE ENVIRONMENT, THE WORSE STALL PROBABILITY. COLDER TEMPS ALSO INCREASE PROBABILITY VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER A STALL. VEHICLE WILL ALWAYS FIRE UP ON A COLD START. STALL OCCURS AT VARYING SPEEDS (INCLUDING AT IDLE), BUT ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH STALL BECOMES WHAT SEEMS LIKE A MISFIRE. BELIEVE I HAVE NARROWED THE PROBLEM DOWN TO AN INTERMITTENT CONNECTION IN THE WIRING HARNESS, EITHER AT THE GRAY PCM CONNECTOR (CLOSEST TO BODY), OR IN THE WIRE LEADING TO THIS CONNECTOR. PUTTING ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE WIRES UNDER THE PCM IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO HICCUP OR STALL. ONLY CODE EVER SHOWN RELATED TO STALL WAS THE UNSPECIFIC P0351 IGNITION SYSTEM CODE. FORTUNATELY, IF A STALL OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS, ENGINE/VEHICLE SPEED MUST STILL DROP TO A CERTAIN LEVEL BEFORE POWER STEERING/BRAKING ARE LOST. OTHERWISE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. NEVERTHELESS THIS IS STILL A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIC DISPLAY SHOW "COOLANT SENSOR BAD." ONLINE INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS. THEIR TRIAL SOLUTIONS HAVE RANGED FROM REPLACING THE "COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR," THE COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR," REPLACING "CONNECTING WIRING" TO THE VIC, AND TO REMOVING THE VIC TO REPAIR SOLDER JOINTS AND CRACKS AT THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT IS LOCATED IN THE VIC. MOST REPORT THAT THE FIRST THREE ATTEMPTED REMEDIES DID NOT RESOLVE THE DEFECT. SOME REPORT SUCCESS IN RE-SOLDERING JOINTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE LATTER,--REMOVING THE VIC AND REPAIRS AT THE CIRCUIT BOARD-- IS AN INVOLVED PROCESS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT. ALL REPORT THAT THIS CONDITION LEFT UNRESOLVED COULD LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND/OR FAULTY DATA SENT TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS DEFECT, A RECALL OR A MANUFACTURE REPAIR BULLETINS, SHOULD BE ISSUED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *TR
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! *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
1997 JEEP CHEROKEE DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE DURING LOW SPEED REAR END COLLISION. 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SLID ON SLUSH AT STOPLIGHT. 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE HAD NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED A CRACKED TAIL LIGHT, AND MINOR SCRATCHES ON TOW HITCH, AND REAR BUMPER SKIN, IN ADDITION TO THE SEATS BEING DAMAGED. THE 04 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX REQUIRED A HOOD AND BUMPER-SKIN, BUT NO BUMPER SUPPORT, RADIATOR SUPPORT, AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR OTHER DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER SEAT FRAME OF THE 1997 JEEP IS BENT AND PRESUMABLY BROKEN. BOTH REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL RE-WELDING AND REPAIR, ESTIMATED AT $250 PER SEAT. SETTLED WITH DRIVER OUT OF COURT FOR WISCONSIN MINIMUM DAMAGE WAIVER OF $1000 MODERATE BACK PAIN RESULTED FROM COLLISION FROM THE DRIVER, PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST, AND IS IN GOOD OVERALL CONDITION. THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS RESULT OF POOR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES USED IN THE SEAT CONSTRUCTION. *TR
1997 JEEP CHEROKEE HOOD UNLATCHED AND FLIPPED UP STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER HIT THE MEDIAN BARRIER BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SEE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-0800. *JB
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS HARD STARTS AND FREQUENT HESITATION AND STALLING, AT ALL SPEEDS CITY STREET DRIVING AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, COIL, INSTALLED, YET SYMPTOMS PERSIST. SUDDEN DECELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEE XJ. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. JEEP OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR OWNERS. I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POSSIBLE REMEDIES (FROM MY RESEARCH) INCLUDE MULTIPLE PARTS AND MANY HOURS OF LABOR: O2 SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, PLUGS, WIRES, CAP, ROTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, BALLAST RESISTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, TORQUE CONVERTOR, POWER CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID, ETC. WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO STALL DANGEROUSLY?
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE DROVE 65 MPH IN THE RAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. RK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
"NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V069000." DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A STEERING GEAR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 FIRST INDICATOR AS TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT...(I SIMPLY THOUGH IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW) ALSO THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN EDITED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT "RUNNING BOARDS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS...IT SEEMS ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FLAWLESSLY OR BEGIN AGAIN COMPLETELY!!! *NM
GRINDING TICKING SOUND AND GAS LEAKS. DEALER SAID THE TANK WARPED AND THE NOISE CAME FROM READ DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS. WATER LEAKS FROM WINDSHIELD
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A LOUD THUMPING NOISE DUE TO A LOOSE AXLE SHAFT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE AXLES WERE MIS-BUILT WITH DRUM GUIDE BOSS THAT WERE TOO SHALLOW. *AK JEEP HAD A TSB THAT DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM. THIS ALLOWED THE ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO MOVE ABOUT FREELY AND CAUSED A THUMP NOISE. A MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT IF NOT CORRECTED, THE BRAKES MAY LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING. JEEP REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. *SCC *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL BEARING BROKE AND CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL TO COME COMPLETELY OFF. *AK *SCC
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 FIRST INDICATOR AS TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT...(I SIMPLY THOUGH IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW) ALSO THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN EDITED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT "RUNNING BOARDS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS...IT SEEMS ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FLAWLESSLY OR BEGIN AGAIN COMPLETELY!!! *NM
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM REQUIRING MORE THAN 4 TRIPS TO THE SERVICE SHOP THAT CULMINATED IN AN $840 COST TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR. *JB
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL WHEN I ENGAGE HIGH BEAMS OR TURN ON MY RIGHT BLINKER MY HAZARDS FLASH QUICKLY IN THE BACK ONLY. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. HAVE HAD MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED.
HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING WERE OCCASIONALLY TURNING OFF AND ON. SIDE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS REMAINED ON. UPON INVESTIGATION FOR CAUSE, DISCOVERED CONNECTOR ON HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH WAS MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP. SUSPECT DUE TO SEVERAL CONNECTORS ON DIMMER SWITCH WERE LOOSE ADDING RESISTANCE TO THE FLOW OF CURRENT CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT IN SWITCH AND CONNECTOR. SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. SINCE THE SWITCH PROVIDES POWER DIRECTLY TO THE HEADLIGHTS, THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THERE SHOULD BE A RELAY CONFIGURATION TO THE HEADLIGHTS TO REDUCE CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FILLS WITH WATER DURING WET WEATHER,DURING OPERATION,OR WHILE PARKED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PART #5FM30LAZAG, SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE DURING AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER INDICATES THIS PART IS ON INDEFINITE BACK ORDER TO HIGH DEMAND. COMPLAINT FILED WITH CHRYSLER ON MAY 30, 2003 (REF 11309586). UNTIL TODAY, CHRYSLER HAS PROVIDED NO SERVICE OR EXPLANATION OF FAILURE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED, THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *AK *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A MICHELIN LTXM/S 235/75R15, DOT 4/5/2009 TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT WAS NOT GIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13T012000 (TIRES) AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
FISK CLASSIC RADIAL P235/75RI5MS108S + S TIRE BURST ON VEHICLE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THREE WEEKS DUE TO THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .