FaultScore

1997 Jeep Cherokee window and wiper problems

11 of the 496 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,000 miles.

B

11

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield 5 45.5%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 2 18.2%
Fan/Motor 2 18.2%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 1 9.1%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 1 9.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Jeep Cherokee year

1993 20 8.2%
1994 11 4.5%
1996 18 7.3%
1997 11 4.5%
1998 17 6.9%
1999 40 16.3%
2001 10 4.1%
2014 78 31.8%
2015 15 6.1%
2016 14 5.7%
2019 11 4.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 87,000 miles Hamilton, OH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AT 78K MILES EXCESSIVE LIQUID DRAINING WHEN RUNNING AC WAS TOLD THAT MOTOR HAD BEEN "REDESIGNED" AND THAT PARTS ALONE WOULD COST OVER 300.00 BECAUSE IN ADDITION TO REDESIGNING THE MOTOR, A NEW WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE INSTALLED!!! REMEMBER THE 300.00 IS FOR THE HARD PART AND WIRING ONLY, NOT THE LABOR TO INSTALL...THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS WHEN A MOTOR FOR THE SAME MODEL MANUFACTURED A YEAR EARLIER IS ONLY 20.00!!!!! AS FAR AS THE EXCESSIVE LIQUIDS RUNNING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE THE AC IS RUNNING, THIS SITE WAS THE FIRST INDICATOR AS TO WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT...(I SIMPLY THOUGH IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW) ALSO THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN EDITED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT "RUNNING BOARDS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS...IT SEEMS ONE HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FLAWLESSLY OR BEGIN AGAIN COMPLETELY!!!

NHTSA complaint #10093790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E. Hanover, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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.

ST. Augustine, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

ON 2 OCCASIONS POWER OPERATED WINDOWS, FRONT AND REAR POWER WINDOWS ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BY GOING UP OR DOWN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING UNKNOWN COMPONENTS OF POWER WINDOW SYSTEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Acworth, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

Palm Coast, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

AFTER A HEAVY RAINFALL, MY WIFE AND I PROCEED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT THE CORN OF OUR STREET AND RECEIVED DOWN POURING OF WATER THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY, WHILE MY WIFE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN AT ANOTHER CORNER. REPORTED TO THE DEALER, WHO CHECKED IT OUT, AND TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE DOOR SEAL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ANOTHER DAY I RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NOW THEY SAY IT WAS THE SKY LIGHT WINDOW SEAL. 05/04/00. SEAL ORDERED BUT NOT WARRANTED. I MUST PAY . PART OREDED AND REPAIRING IN PROGRESS EVEN AS I TYPE. JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO NO. NO DAMAGE TO EITHER ME NOR MY WIFE.

NHTSA complaint #722543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Templenton, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. ALSO, WATER PUMP/REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER/HEATER FAN AND STERO WERE NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #843745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Templenton, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. ALSO, WATER PUMP/REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER/HEATER FAN AND STERO WERE NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #843745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDOW SEAL IS CRIMPED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Bloomfield, MI 1 injured

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO REPORT AN INCIDENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR DEATH. THE REAR WINDOWS IN THIS VEHICLE CAN CLOSE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT CAN STRANGLE, DECAPITATE, SUFFOCATE OR COLLAPSE THE AIRWAY OF A CHILD. MY CHILD ALMOST DIED AS A RESULT OF AN INADVERTANT CLOSING OF THE WINDOW WITH THE CHILD'S HEAD STICKING OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE PARKED. GARAGE DOORS HAVE A SAFETY MECHANISM TO PREVENT CRUSHING OR DEATH, WHY NOT AUTO WINDOWS! I WILL BE FORWARDING MY CONCERNS TO THE DETROIT FREE PRESS. PLEASE RESPOND.

NHTSA complaint #701144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Hack, NJ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HOT AIR FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BLOWING INTO THE CAR FROM THE FLOOR VENT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MAKING THE CAR UNBEARABLY HOT AND CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FEEL FAINT.

NHTSA complaint #540899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Groton, CT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

ON NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR, THE REAR QUARTER PANEL WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXPLODED.

NHTSA complaint #810101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Jeep Cherokee problems

← Full 1997 Jeep Cherokee report