Complaints
496
Crashes
60
Fires
7
Injuries
30
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#151 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Avg mileage:61,588 mi
Fires:1
#241 complaints
Fuel System, Other
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#329 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 51 | — | 1 | 61,588 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other | 41 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 29 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 | 14 | — | 120,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 18 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 18 | 6 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 | 2 | — | 132,040 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 16 | — | — | 119,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 12 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 3 | — | 152,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 11 | — | — | 107,400 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 11 | — | — | 82,000 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 10 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 8 | — | — | 89,810 mi | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 128,647 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 7 | 1 | — | 53,800 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 6 | 2 | — | 157,800 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | — | 161,669 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 | — | — | 81,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 5 | 1 | — | 69,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 | — | — | — |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
51
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,588
Fuel System, Other
41
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
18
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,000
Automatic Transmission
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
18
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
132,040
Fuel Pump
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
152,000
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,400
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
10
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,810
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
128,647
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,800
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
157,800
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
161,669
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
4
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Jeep Cherokee Years
1997 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Jeep Cherokee has 496 NHTSA complaints, 60 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly with 51 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly (51 complaints, avg 61,588 mi); Fuel System, Other (41 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (29 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 100,108 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee include 60 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Jeep Cherokee
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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