FaultScore

1997 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems

51 of the 496 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee are about the transmission — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 164,000 miles.

F

51

Complaints

9

Crashes

1

Fires

7

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 18 35.3%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 10 19.6%
Differential Unit 4 7.8%
Power Train 3 5.9%
Manual Transmission 3 5.9%
Axle Shaft 3 5.9%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl) 2 3.9%
Axle Assembly 2 3.9%
Clutch Assembly 2 3.9%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2 3.9%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Jeep Cherokee year

1990 17 0.3%
1991 14 0.3%
1992 16 0.3%
1993 50 0.9%
1994 40 0.7%
1995 48 0.9%
1996 66 1.2%
1997 51 0.9%
1998 74 1.3%
1999 58 1.0%
2000 32 0.6%
2001 24 0.4%
2014 1,465 26.3%
2015 1,001 18.0%
2016 630 11.3%
2017 647 11.6%
2018 290 5.2%
2019 783 14.0%
2020 159 2.9%
2021 86 1.5%
2022 25 0.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 195,000 miles University Place, WA

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE HAS HARD STARTS AND FREQUENT HESITATION AND STALLING, AT ALL SPEEDS CITY STREET DRIVING AS WELL AS HIGHWAY DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP, ROTOR, PLUGS, WIRES, COIL, INSTALLED, YET SYMPTOMS PERSIST. SUDDEN DECELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. MY RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEE XJ. I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CRASH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. JEEP OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, YET THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REMEDY FOR OWNERS. I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POSSIBLE REMEDIES (FROM MY RESEARCH) INCLUDE MULTIPLE PARTS AND MANY HOURS OF LABOR: O2 SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, PLUGS, WIRES, CAP, ROTOR, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, BALLAST RESISTOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, TORQUE CONVERTOR, POWER CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID, ETC. WHAT IS CAUSING ALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO STALL DANGEROUSLY?

NHTSA complaint #10872145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Norfolk, VA

POWER TRAIN

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE DROVE 65 MPH IN THE RAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. RK

NHTSA complaint #10565948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Liverpool, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (VP02YOOO2068) TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10057391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,000 miles Detroit, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #10055379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,000 miles Detroit, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #10055380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chatsworth, GA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE DRIVER WENT OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10042368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BLOW SMOKE. *NLM.

NHTSA complaint #10021666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, WA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10001668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cheyenne, WY Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

WHILE IN PARK VEHICAL JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE, CAUSING INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #8015036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somerville, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AS CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TREES AND BUSHES.

NHTSA complaint #563772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hyattsville, MD Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING SINCE DECEMBER 2001. CONSUMER WOULD PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND IT WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR. ONCE HE THOUGHT THAT HAD PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK, AND FOUND THAT HE HAD TO JUMP BACK INTO VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS GOING BACKWARD. VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP REPLACING TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #8006361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Napa, CA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

VEHICLE NEVER OFF ROAD. REPAIR DEALER REPLACED AXLE PART #2011001 FOR A COST OF $1265.00. REPAIR DEALER IS NAPA CHRYSLER, 333 SOSCOL AVE., NAPA, CA 94559, 707-224-3166.

NHTSA complaint #755927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somerville, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

DRIVER STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AS CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TREES AND BUSHES.

NHTSA complaint #563772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aliso Viejo, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

REAR BEARING FAILED, SEALED TRANSMISSION HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS A UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #752607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aliso Viejo, CA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

REAR BEARING FAILED, SEALED TRANSMISSION HAVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS A UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #752607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E. Hanover, NJ

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

GRINDING TICKING SOUND AND GAS LEAKS. DEALER SAID THE TANK WARPED AND THE NOISE CAME FROM READ DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS. WATER LEAKS FROM WINDSHIELD

NHTSA complaint #9003708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bishopville, SC Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND RUNNING, AND GEAR SHIFT JUMPED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND TOOK OFF. CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP IT, AND VEHICLE RAN OVER HER LEG. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #895803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manchester, MD Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE WHILE IN PARK- LEFT FOR WORK IN A.M., BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO PUT VECHICLE IN PARK ON DIRT ROAD TO GET OUT AND PUT MAIL IN MAILBOX. AFTER TURNING AROUND FROM PUTTING MAIL IN MAILBOX SAW THAT VECHICLE WAS MOVING BACKWARD.

NHTSA complaint #749930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Carlos, CA 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF PARK AT IDLE AND KNOCKED ME DOWN AND BACKED OVER ME AT SLOW SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #749824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manchester, MD Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE WHILE IN PARK- LEFT FOR WORK IN A.M., BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO PUT VECHICLE IN PARK ON DIRT ROAD TO GET OUT AND PUT MAIL IN MAILBOX. AFTER TURNING AROUND FROM PUTTING MAIL IN MAILBOX SAW THAT VECHICLE WAS MOVING BACKWARD.

NHTSA complaint #749930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staunton, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WASN'T POSSIBLE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #893382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, AND RPMS WERE RACING FROM 2-3. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE WAS JERKING, VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO LATER DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED REPLACING. *AK CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #892822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manchester, OK Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

PE 01 021: VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING WHEN ITJUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND RAN BACKWARD INTO A GATE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #891986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa FE, NM

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER INFORMED HIM THERE WAS A TSB OUT TO HELP CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. BEARINGS IN REAR AXLE HAD WORN OUT, ENTIRE REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED . CHRYSLER PAID FOR CLOSE TO HALF OF COST OF REPAIR. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #875823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Acworth, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I THINK THAT THE OVERALL SERVICE OF THE JEEP DEALER REALLY STINKS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #736896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tariffville, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THUMPING HEARD ON ACCELERATION OR ON BUMPY ROAD

NHTSA complaint #733642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF HESITATION. I NEED TO HAVE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AND MAYBE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE KEEPS TRYING TO DIE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT INFORMATION THE DEALER NEEDS IN ORDER TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY BOOKLET THESE PARTS ARE WARRANTED.

NHTSA complaint #729890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port ST. JOE, FL

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE PRESENT IN THE REAR. THIS IS ALSO CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR AXLE.

NHTSA complaint #866144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grandville, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT BEFORE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, GEARS WERE SLIPPING. A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE, ENGINE QUIT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 25MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DEALER REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AT ANOTHER TIME, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHE STOPPED/LOOKED UNDER CAR, AND NOTICED OIL ON THE BACK WINDOW DUE TO ENGINE ROD BREAKING OFF, PIERCING THREE HOLES IN OIL PAN. NO WARNING AT ALL, AND THEN VEHICLE DIED.

NHTSA complaint #865898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sugar Land, TX

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

2ND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 01-20-1999 @ APPROX. 53,000 MILES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #724228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Jeep Cherokee problems

← Full 1997 Jeep Cherokee report