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1997 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 390 owner complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Cherokee median · #12 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints39073 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 9, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Jeep Cherokee has problems

390 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline853
Service brakes, hydraulic629
Fuel system, other522
Power train479
Engine and engine cooling456
Air bags2818
Electrical system231
Vehicle speed control156
Equipment120
15 other systems9416

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1997 Jeep Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 00V-136 · May 10, 2000 · 589,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 00V-105 · Apr 11, 2000 · 395,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 97V-194 · Nov 7, 1997 · 360,000 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Cherokee year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cherokee median. How we score

'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'06'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Jeep Cherokee safety ratings

1997 Jeep Cherokee 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Jeep Cherokee frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FAULTY GAS GAUGE INDICATORSDP97003 · closed Nov 13, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-194
  2. Crash Related Fuel Tank FiresEA12005 · closed Nov 14, 2014
    Led to recall 13V-252
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CAR STALLS,SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, HARD TO START. INSTRUMENT PANELS LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. DOME LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. HAD TO TAKE FUSE OUT TO EXTINGUISHED DOME LIGHTS, OTHERWISE STAY ON ALL THE TIME. GAS GAGE SHOWS THAT MORE GAS IN TANK THAN REALLY IS. *TR
Complaint 10551970 · Nov 12, 2013
THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, HOWEVER; THE CODE THAT COMES UP IS FOR THE IGNITION WHICH WAS ALREADY REPAIRED AND NOT THE ISSUE CAUSING AT HAND. THIS MALFUNCTION IS FREAKISHLY COMMON WHEN I LOOK IT UP ONLINE FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL,…
Complaint 10520681 · Jun 19, 2013 · 140,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATING. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V194000…
Complaint 10398475 · May 2, 2011 · 140,000 miles

Own a 1997 Cherokee?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.