VehicleVerdict

1997 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 496 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median Cherokee year — the 1997 model ranks #14 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 149 reports (30% of the total).

496

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

2

Investigations

60

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

30

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Cherokee years?

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System14930%
Brakes8317%
Engine5411%
Transmission5110%
Electrical System316%
Airbags296%
Speed Control153%
Visibility & Wipers112%
Latches & Locks112%
Steering112%
Other92%
Suspension92%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)82%
Lighting71%
Body & Structure71%
Seat Belts61%
Tires & Wheels41%
Seats10%

Does the 1997 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08V056000Electrical SystemFebruary 6, 2008 · 107 units

Defect

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.

Remedy

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

00V136000BrakesMay 10, 2000 · 589,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

00V105000AirbagsApril 11, 2000 · 395,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. WATER AND/OR ROAD SALT IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE COULD LEAD TO CORROSION.

Consequence

SUCH CORROSION CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OR COULD ALLOW INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND LOCATE THE NEW MODULE ON THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL.

97V194000Fuel SystemNovember 7, 1997 · 360,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT ACCURACY CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME, INDICATING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL IN RESERVE THAN IS ACTUALLY PRESENT.

Consequence

OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS LOW ON FUEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH IF THE VEHICLE STOPS DUE TO NO FUEL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE TRUCK HAD A HALF OF A TANK OF GAS WHEN THE TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE PARTS TO FIX TRUCK. RECALL #97V194. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 6, 1998 · crash

ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM; WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED ON WET OR ROUGH SURFACE ROAD, IT CAUSED WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND FISHTAIL. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING OUT OF CONTROL, BOUNCE OFF GURDRAIL AND SPIN BEFORE STOPPIN. NO INJURIES REPORTED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 23, 1999 · crash

ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, CAUSING MULTIPLE NEAR REAR END COLLISIONS. DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED IN CHRYSLER SERVICE MANUAL POSTED "55" (END OF MIL CODES) INDICATING NO FAILED COMPONENTS. SERVICE STATION REPLACED O2 SENSOR AND CLEANED SUBSEQUENT IMPACTS TO FUEL INJECTORS. PER CHRYSLER SERVICE MANUAL, O2…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 10, 2001 · crash

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SINCE DECEMBER 2001. CONSUMER WOULD PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. ONCE HE THOUGHT THAT HAD PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND FOUND THAT HE HAD TO JUMP BACK INTO VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS GOING BACKWARD. VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP REPLACING TRANSMISSION.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 15, 2002 · crash

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF DEFROSTER. STOPPED VEHICLE, THEN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 2, 1999 · fire

1997 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1997 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 496 complaints put the 1997 model at #14 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (149 complaints), brakes (83 complaints), engine (54 complaints).

Does the 1997 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Jeep Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2016, 2017, 2018, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997, 1990, 2020, 2001, 1991, 1989, 1992. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.