11 of the
496 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee are about the
steering — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
91,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10628221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
"NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V069000." DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A STEERING GEAR RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10107243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesChapel Hill, NC
STEERING
RADIATOR & VARIOUS AC PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. STEERING GAVE OUT IN 2002. A SCREW WENT THROUGH AN ENGINE PART. RECENTLY, A JOINT CONNECTING THE AXEL TO THE STEERING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL PUMP FAILED. INCREDIBLY, IT IS INSIDE THE GAS TANK. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT JEEP GAS TANKS CORRODE ON THE INSIDE, THUS CLOGGING THE FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE LABOR. THERE IS STILL THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS NEW FUEL PUMP MAY ALSO FAIL, BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS NOT REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I\\\\\\'VE HEARD NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM OTHER JEEP OWNERS. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10069497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Appleton, WI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, ALSO STEERING LOCK BROKE OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK.
NHTSA complaint #8012725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY1 injured
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
DUE TO STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD BEING TOO LOW, CONSUMER HAS SUFFERED LEG INJURIES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #891686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, WHEN PARKED FOUND A BROKEN BOLT THAT HAD FALLEN FROM STEERING BOX. *AK DEALER INSTALLED NEW GEAR BOX, BOLTS AND ADDED FLUID. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrow, GA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHENEVER I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THERE IS POPPING NOISE. ALSO, SOMETINES WHEN I MAKE A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT THE TURN DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COMPLETE (SHARP ENOUGH).
NHTSA complaint #717474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )
NHTSA complaint #703977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MDCrash
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY WOULD VIBRATE. POWER STEERING BELT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPAIRED BRAKES & STEERING BELT. WAS GOING UPAN INCLINE & APPLIED BRAKES LIGHTLY. VEHICLE PULLED TO LEFT. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. HIT PHONE POLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #824816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission VIE JO, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN KEEPS COMING LOOSE, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE VERY BADLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND TIGHTEND UP 5 TIMES, AND THE WHOLE COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #833515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tazewell, TN
STEERING
SIX DAYS AFTER FUEL GAUGE REPAIR THE STRAP HOLDING THE TANK BROKE ALLOWING TANK TO DANGLE. BRAKE FAILURE AND STEERING MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #528252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.