VehicleVerdict

1997 Jeep Cherokee fuel system problems

The 1997 Jeep Cherokee has 149 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 30% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

149

Fuel System complaints

30%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Cherokee fuel system complaints by model year200 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 16 complaints1990: 20 complaints1991: 5 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 10 complaints1994: 12 complaints1995: 15 complaints1996: 29 complaints1997: 149 complaints1998: 64 complaints1999: 18 complaints2000: 22 complaints2001: 12 complaints2014: 200 complaints2015: 40 complaints2016: 44 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 41 complaints2020: 9 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 3 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Cherokee fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1997 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 149 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee fuel system — 30% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee fuel system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 06E011000, 97V194000.

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.