0.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
323,229 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 012015

Cherokee

  • 199,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights while driving were occasionally turning off and on. Side lights remained on and instrument panel lights remained on. Upon investigation for cause, discovered connector on headlight/dimmer switch was melted due to excessive heat buildup. Suspect due to several connectors on dimmer switch were loose adding resistance to the flow of current creating excessive heat in switch and connector. Switch was replaced and problem was resolved. Since the switch provides power directly to the headlights, this creates a potential fire hazard. There should be a relay configuration to the headlights to reduce current flow through the headlight switch.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012010

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0L I6 began stalling in 2010 under seemingly random conditions. Replaced several parts (spark plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, ignition coil, PCM) over the past four years to no avail. The difference currently is that the stall now only seems to occur at temperatures less than 65-70 degrees F. the colder the environment, the worse stall probability. Colder temps also increase probability vehicle will not start after a stall. Vehicle will always fire up on a cold start. Stall occurs at varying speeds (including at idle), but above approximately 40 mph stall becomes what seems like a misfire. Believe I have narrowed the problem down to an intermittent connection in the wiring harness, either at the gray PCM connector (closest to body), or in the wire leading to this connector. Putting enough pressure on the wires under the PCM in a certain direction will cause the vehicle to hiccup or stall. Only code ever shown related to stall was the unspecific P0351 ignition system code. Fortunately, if a stall occurs at higher speeds, engine/vehicle speed must still drop to a certain level before power steering/braking are lost. Otherwise vehicle would be too dangerous to drive. Nevertheless this is still a hazardous condition.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 012014

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 1,756,678 miles
Stalling while driving. No code = onboard computer bad?, no accident yet!! when it stalls I have a hard time to start the Jeep... it happened 2 times... once while driving, the other was at a stoplight........already have a recall 10583287 for a trailer hitch to make the gas tank safer and still waiting...no accident yet!!

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 132012

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #4

Oct 012013

Cherokee

  • 210,000 miles
The gauges on the instrument panel started bouncing back and forth, the check engine light came on. I had the code read and it said the coolant temp sensor was bad, changed that still says that sensor is bad. I cannot pass emissions and inspection to get licensed.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #3

Jun 122013

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
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, and year. This problem is very dangerous as it may or can cause death or serious injury if in intersection or busy road/highway. Please notify me of any solutions or information on this matter. We have also changed spark plugs as well as wires & coil.

- Flat Rock , NC, USA

problem #2

Apr 242007

Cherokee

  • 150,156 miles
Vic display show "coolant sensor bad." Online investigations reveal many owners have experienced the same problem over the years. Their trial solutions have ranged from replacing the "coolant temperature sensor, " the coolant level sensor, " replacing "connecting wiring" to the vic, and to removing the vic to repair solder joints and cracks at the circuit board that is located in the vic. Most report that the first three attempted remedies did not resolve the defect. Some report success in re-soldering joints on the circuit board. The latter, --removing the vic and repairs at the circuit board-- is an involved process and requires extensive knowledge and repair tools and equipment. All report that this condition left unresolved could lead to the engine overheating and/or faulty data sent to the fuel injection system, and possible engine fire. With so many complaints on this defect, a recall or a manufacture repair bulletins, should be issued at the manufacturer's expense.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #1

Jun 012000

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving entire electrical system went out. Fuses were checked and replaced to repair. The next day the entire instrument panel went out other than the cruise control. The defect does not allow the consumer to have access to see speedometer and other important parts.

- Waldo, FL, USA

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