Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words
THE COOLANT SENSOR BAD IS CONSTANTLY ON. CHANGED THAT . WENT OUT ON AND OFF. THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY RADIATOR BLEW APART AT THE SEAM SIDE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. NO WARNING LIGHT .NO CHANGE IN COOLANT TEMP. AND THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS CHECKED RIGHT BEFORE I LEFT THAT DAY! HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AT THIS POINT
THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SHORTS OUT AND CAUSES AN ONSET OF PROBLEMS FROM WRONG AIR/FUEL RATIO TO SHUTTING OFF CAR POWER WHILE IN DRIVE AND/OR STATIONARY. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT SPEED, THEN SUDDENLY I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY AN 18-WHEELER. THIS SHORT IN THE ECM EVEN CAUSED BACKFIRE IN MY MUFFLER AND FLOODED MUFFLER WITH GAS. I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF THIS ON MANY JEEPS FROM 1993-1997. WAS THIS A RECALL AT ONE POINT? ALSO, THE VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER DOES NOT WORK, THIS ALSO IS COMMON. ADDITIONALLY, THE EVAP CANISTER FITTINGS HAVE JUST DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE HOSES TO NOT GET A SECURE CONNECTION AND IMPROPER EMISSIONS.
WHEN I STOP WITH THE BRAKE FIRMLY APPLIED THE ENGINE SURGES SOMETIMES AND DIES. IF I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WILL RESTART AND I CAN PROCEED. THIS HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS, WHEN STOPPED, WAITING TO TURN, ETC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY AND INDEPENDENTLY START. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND PROCEEDED TO INCREASE ACCELERATION WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED AND SLID THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTO A TRUCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT WAS IN AN IDLE POSITION WITH THE BRAKE EPRESSED WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED FULL BODY FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY VEHICLE WILL STOP RUNNING WHILE I AM DRIVING, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THEN IT WILL COMPLETELY DIE. THIS CAUSE ME TO TRY TO TURN THE CAR OVER SEVERAL TIMES TILL I GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WILL LOSS POWER, HESITATE WHEN I GIVE IT GAS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. ESPECIALLY WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT BEGINS TO SHAKE AND WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE, AND MY DAUGHTERS. *TR
1. CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN IN PARK AND CRASHED SUSTAINING 5000.00 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 500.00 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. *TR
THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN THROTTLING WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK WHEN TURNING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER IT MAKES THE ENGINE THROTTLE UP AND STAY AT ACCELERATED SPEED. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN UNTIL YOU TURN ON THE HEAT OR AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN YOU START FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITH THE FAN ON, AFTER YOU ATTAINED THE SPEED YOU WANT AND TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATORTHE SPEED AND RPM WILL STAY THE SAME AND WILL NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE FAN OFF AT A COMPLETE STOP IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. UNDER HEAVY BRAKING THE BRAKES HAD A BAD PULSATION WHICH CAUSED THE ABS LIGHT TO COME ON. RADIO AND SPEAKERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TC
CAR JUST TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.*AK
WHEN AT A STOP BRAKE APPLIED, ENGINE WILL INTERMITTENTLY REV, AND VEHICLE WILL START TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAS TO APPLY BRAKE HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK
VEHICLE WAS GOING 65MPH ON EXPRESSWAY AND CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON INVOLUNTARILY. CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES MANUALLY TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, AND TURN ON/OFF SWITCH TO DECREASE OR INCREASE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED, HOWEVER ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE BY SHIFTING TO PARK. BRAKES WERE USED UP COMPLETELY TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE, ALSO EMERGENCY BRAKE CORD WAS SEVERED DUE TO BRAKES BURNING OUT. DAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT CRUISE CONTROL CABLE GOT CAUGHT ON OUTER PLASTIC LINE COVER OF ANOTHER WIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE DEALER RPLACED A CRACKED SERPENTINE BELT.*JB
VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING, WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 55 MPH THE STEERING COLUM RELEASED AND SPUN FREELY. THE OWNER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER MANY TIMES WITH STEERING AND FRONT END PROBLEMS AND ALL VISITS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED . THESE REPAIRS HAVE ALL BEEN DONE AT TOWN AND COUNTRY GATES ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE OR IS THE MANUFACTURER
VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND IN PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, KNOCKING CONSUMER DOWN AND UNCONSCIOUS. BEFORE STOPPING, VEHICLE TURNED IN A COUNTER CLOCKWISE MOTION, DESTROYING ALL OBJECTS IN ITS PATH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK
PROBLEM WITH ENGINE REVVING WHILE VEHICLE IN OR OUT OF GEAR *AK
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 35-40 MPH UPHILL. CONSUMER PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER CLAIMED ACCELERATOR PEDAL LINKAGE WAS BEND AND CAUSED ACCELERATION. *AK
CONSUMER ACCELERATED AFTER A STOP AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO GO BACKWARDS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND ACCELERATED AGAIN, VEHICLE REPEATED ITSELF. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND BACK TO DRIVE, IT WAS NORMAL. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NOTHNG COULD BE DONE UNTIL A RECALL IS ISSUED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 SETS OF BRAKES AT 22,000 MILES.*JB
WOULD BE DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT WOULD HESITATE. WOULD REV UP AS IF IN NEUTRAL. WOULD SUDDENLY KICK IN, AND THEN ACCELERATE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC PROBLEM WAS LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER CHANGING FLUID IN TRANSMISSION WAS DRIVING AGAIN, AN D PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK
RPM'S TO 4000, MPH 30; DEALER CLAIMS PROBLEMS WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. DIAGNOSED AS "VALVE BODY AND GOVERNOR CENSOR" REPLACEMENT. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE. SOMETIMES IT GOES OFF PRIOR TO THE DEALER, OTHER TIMES DEALER CLAIMS ITS A MINOR PROBLEM. WARRANTY APPLIED MOST TIMES, NOW I AM BEING NIT PICKED EVERYTIME THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON, BUT THIS TIME IT IS SERIOUS. *AK
WE WERE ON OOUR WAY HOME ON THE FREEWAY, IT WAS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WE WERE NOT GOING MORE THAN 3MPHAND MY FOOT APPLIED ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE JEEP LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK A BOAT AND THE OUTDRIVE CAUSING $5000 TO MY VEHICLE AND THE BOAT IS STILL IN REPAIR.*AK
TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK, ONLY WAY TO GET IT OUT WAS TO PRESS HARD ON GAS PEDAL, THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO DASH FORWARD, CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE CONSUMER DIDN'Y KNOW WHEN IT WAS GOING TO DASH FORWARD. *AK *JB
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT IS PULLING IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE BUCKS AND PULLS BACK WHILE DRIVING. *SLC
AT 07:45AM HUSBAND PARKED VEHICLE, PLACED DRIVE SELECTOR IN "PARK', ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKES, LEFT ENGINE IDLING. WIFE, JO, ENTERED VEHICLE. AS SHE WAS ENGAGING SAFETY BELT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH RPM AND , SIMULTANEOUSLY, JUMPED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE JEEP STRUCK A PARKED SEDAN AND APPARENTLY THE IM[PACT SWITCHED THE GEAR INTO FORWARD. WIFE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL AND THE JEEP STRUCK A HOUSE . HUSBAND OPENED DOOR AND TURNED OFF ENGINE W/ IGNITION KEY. ENGINE STOPPED.. EMERGENCY BRAKES REMAINED ENGAGED THROUGHOUT. POLICE REPORT CONFIRMS "NOT THE DRIVER'S FAULT".INVESTIGATION BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER/REPAIR SHOP ONGOING.*AK
WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 65-70MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, ACCELERATED TO AROUND 78 MPH. ENGINE REVVED, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, CONSUMER COULD NOT SLOW VEHICLE DOWN, FINALLY SHUT OFF IGNITION. CHRYSLER SAID THAT A VEHICLE WITH THAT MANY MILES THAT COULD HAPPEN.*AK
ENGINE SPEED CONTINUES AFTER GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 60MPH. SPEED CONTINUES UNLESS DRIVER SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL. ENGINE SPEED INCREASES TO 2500RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND REMAINS AT 2500RPM UNTIL CAR IS BRAKED TO LESS THAN 20MPH. THIS FAILURE TO DECELERATE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER 35MPH. THE BRAKE REPAIR AND DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT OCCURRED BEFORE TAKING DELIVERY OF THE USED VEHICLE. MAYBE THE BRAKE AND DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE ARE RELATED TO THE FAILURE TO DELERATE WITHOUT THE USE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. NAPERVILLE JEEP AND KOLLER DODGE BOTH RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE MOTOR AND THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE TO DECELERATE CONTINUES. CHRYSLER'S STAR HOTLINE SAYS THIS FAILURE TO DECELERATE IS NORMAL. I HAVE TEST DRIVEN OTHER 1997 5.2L JEEPS WITH TRAILER PACKAGES AND THOSE VEHICLES DECELERATED NORMALLY, IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO ALL OF MY OTHER 45 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCES. THE JEEP DEALER CLAIMED THAT MASS PRODUCED VEHICLES NORMALLY HAVE THIS VARIABLILITY IN BEHAVIOR. THEY EVEN SUGGESTED THE DECELERATION PROBLEM WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR.
THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO CONNECT AND THE RPM'S WERE GOING UP AND NO MOVEMENT WAS OCCURRING. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .