24 of the 1,433 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the lighting — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 143,000 miles.
24
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DASH HEADLIGHT SWITCH KEEPS GOING OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND THAN GO OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10678649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
JUST HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING AND ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #10610109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SMELLED A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THERE WAS ALSO A FAILURE WITH THE TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #10461800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD MALFUNCTION AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE TO OCCUR . HE ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED SINCE HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ARE AWARE OF FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000. UPDATED 01/03/11
NHTSA complaint #10358608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
1. CAME OUT OF GEAR WHEN IN PARK AND CRASHED SUSTAINING 5000.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER IN 2002,HOWEVER IT WAS NOT DATED STATING THE CAR COULD DO THIS. NO RECALLS WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME. THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEM WHEN CAR CRASHED. CALLED AN ATTORNEY WHO WAS A RELATIVE THAT TOLD WITHOUT A DOUBT (100%) THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. HE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND STATED HE COULD NOT REPRESENT ME BECAUSE HE REPRESENTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER. HE WAS HIRED BY CHRYSLER AFTER HE BOUGHT A VIPER FROM THEM THAT WAS A LEMON AND HE SHOVED IT YOU KNOW WHERE AND WON. THEY REALIZED WHAT AN OUTSTANDING ATTORNEY HE WAS THEN HIRED HIM. TALK ABOUT FAMILY ETHICS. THEY FINALLY INSTALLED THE SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM IN 12/2008. I WAS TOLD IT WAS REPAIRED. 2 THE CAR IS STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS,DURING U TURNS, WHILE AT STOP SIGNS. IT TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. JEEP KEEPS TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING ON DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS OUT OF TOWN 250 MILES FROM HOME AND THEY WANT ME TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE BACK TO THE. THEY HAVE BEEN RUDE,EVASIVE AND BLAMING ME. AFTER 500.00 THERE DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NOTHING. IT HAS BEEN TO 5 OTHER MECHANICS AND KNOW ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE A 1997 GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED THAT IS LOADED THAT IS DANGEROUS AND WORTH NOTHING. 3 IF THEY INSIST ON ARBITRATION AND A CHANCE TO FIX IT YOU WILL LOSE. IT IS WORTH YOUR MONEY TO HIRE A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
NHTSA complaint #10255217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF IN RAPID SEQUENCE WHEN DRIVING ON STREET LAMP LIT STREETS. WORK FINE ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS, BUT NOT IN TOWN. MUST TURN HEADLIGHTS TO MANUAL.
NHTSA complaint #10245393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT DOOR LIGHT CAME LOOSE, LICENSE PLATE BULB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT DOOR LIGHT CAME LOOSE, LICENSE PLATE BULB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT THE WAY IT SHOULD, THERE IS A DELAY WHEN GOING INTO GEAR AND IT MAKES A NOISE, REAR SEAL, PAN GASKET, AND COOLER LINES LEAKING, HUMMING IN ENGINE AT 59-62 MPH, THE WIPER BLADES FAILED, WHILE USING REMOTE THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM DOOR AREA, THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR IS WORN, THE DEQLER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, AND HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE ADJUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #8009546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
*AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT THE WAY IT SHOULD, THERE IS A DELAY WHEN GOING INTO GEAR AND IT MAKES A NOISE, REAR SEAL, PAN GASKET, AND COOLER LINES LEAKING, HUMMING IN ENGINE AT 59-62 MPH, THE WIPER BLADES FAILED, WHILE USING REMOTE THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM DOOR AREA, THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR IS WORN, THE DEQLER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, AND HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE ADJUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #8009546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT DOOR LIGHT CAME LOOSE, LICENSE PLATE BULB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RIGHT FRONT DOOR LIGHT CAME LOOSE, LICENSE PLATE BULB FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
FIRST PROBLEM : IGNITION STOPS WORKING, IF STEERING IS TRUNED AND THEN TRIED IT STARTS.THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ANYTIME. DASH LIGHT DIMS IF I PUTS ON THE HEADLIGHT AND FLICKERS WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #752565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER WAS CALLING IN REGARD TO NHTSA RECALL 97V194002N/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 755. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS, ALTHOUGH GAS GAUGE READ 1/4 OF A TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO REMEDY PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THREE DAYS AFTER THE CUT-OFF DATE AS STATED ON RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK WHEN THE DRIVER DEPRESSES THE GAS THE VEHICLE BOGS DOWN AND THEN TAKES OFF, THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOME LIGHT IS INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO OPEN CIRCUIT, DEALER REPLACED DOME LIGHT SWITCH. NLM
NHTSA complaint #893708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
1)"FRONT SWAY LINK ELIMINATOR BARS" BOTH FAILED AFTER FRONT CV JOINT REPLACEMENT CAUSING VERY POOR/DANGEROUS HANDLING. DEALER REFUSES TO CONSIDER THAT PRIOR REMOVAL CAUSED DAMAGE, SAYS THEY WERE RUSTY. 2) WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. WANTS NEARLY $400 FOR REPAIR. 3) DOOR LOCKS, DOME LIGHTS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT, CAUSING PASSANGERS/KEYS TO BE LOCKED INSIDE. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. 4) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE FAILS TO START, AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES VEHICLE THEN STARTS. DEALER REFUSES TO BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #726228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH WHEN I WENT FROM HIGHBEAMS TO LOWBEAMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THEY ONLY RETURNED AFTER I SWITCHED FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM AGAIN !! I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SERVICING AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM SWITCH. I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE SATURDAY NIGHT, 3.25.00 AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. NOT UNTIL I SWITCHED THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SWITCH AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #720737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH WHEN I WENT FROM HIGHBEAMS TO LOWBEAMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THEY ONLY RETURNED AFTER I SWITCHED FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM AGAIN !! I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR SERVICING AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL/HIGH BEAM SWITCH. I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE SATURDAY NIGHT, 3.25.00 AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. NOT UNTIL I SWITCHED THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SWITCH AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #720737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHT BULB FAILED ON THE FRONT PANEL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
GAS GAUGE. SIGNAL SWITCH. DOOR LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #609663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TAILGATE MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO GO UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #836045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THE GAS GAUGE INDICATED THAT IT CONTAINED MORE THAN AQUARTER OF GAS. ALSO REAR LAMPS/TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #539613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THE GAS GAUGE INDICATED THAT IT CONTAINED MORE THAN AQUARTER OF GAS. ALSO REAR LAMPS/TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #539613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
REAR LIGHT BULB FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #542099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SECURITY SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #533995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.