FaultScore

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems

292 of the 1,433 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee are about the transmission — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,000 miles.

F

292

Complaints

58

Crashes

7

Fires

42

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 127 43.5%
Automatic Transmission 54 18.5%
Differential Unit 27 9.2%
Power Train 22 7.5%
Axle Shaft 12 4.1%
Axle Assembly 9 3.1%
Column Shift 7 2.4%
Driveshaft 6 2.1%
Floor Shift 6 2.1%
Manual Transmission 5 1.7%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Jeep Grand Cherokee year

1993 120 2.5%
1994 131 2.7%
1995 280 5.8%
1996 307 6.4%
1997 292 6.1%
1998 461 9.6%
1999 464 9.7%
2000 172 3.6%
2001 109 2.3%
2002 60 1.3%
2003 37 0.8%
2004 55 1.1%
2005 256 5.3%
2006 173 3.6%
2007 196 4.1%
2008 78 1.6%
2009 23 0.5%
2010 22 0.5%
2011 90 1.9%
2012 101 2.1%
2013 55 1.1%
2014 474 9.9%
2015 350 7.3%
2016 78 1.6%
2017 88 1.8%
2018 72 1.5%
2019 45 0.9%
2020 39 0.8%
2021 56 1.2%
2022 37 0.8%
2023 36 0.8%
2024 28 0.6%
2025 11 0.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 250,000 miles Empire, AL Crash

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, prompting her to attempt to stop the vehicle. After which, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop, only coming to a complete stop after going off the road into a drainage ditch and rolling over on its roof. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed from the scene but not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 250,000.

NHTSA complaint #11606904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,893 miles Columbia, SC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GALANTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO PARTS BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,893. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11001897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 247,000 miles Duluth, GA

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE STALL/SHUT OFF ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES/HR IN CENTER LANE OF A FIVE LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH PLENTY OF GAS IN THE TANK. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON DIFFERENT DAYS. I'M ORIGINAL OWNER. HEAVY FAILURE ANALYSIS DONE. ALLEGE THAT JEEP CUT CORNERS THAT RISK DRIVER SAFETY. THEY USED AND MAY STILL BE USING CHEAP CHINESE MICROPROCESSOR CHIPS IN THEIR PROGRAM CONTROL MODULES (PCM). FRED BAILEY FATAL ACCIDENT IS TELLING. HIS JEEP SHUT DOWN ON A BRIDGE. PLENTY OF GAS IN THE TANK. TRACTOR TRAILER PLOWS INTO THE BACK OF THIS JEEP (LIKE MINE). THE GAS TANK EXPLODES AND HE DIES. WWW.DYINGJEEP.COM SHOWS A JEEP VIDEO ACTUALLY DOING THE STALL/DIE ROUTINE. WWW.JEEP FORUM.COM HAS LITERALLY THOUSANDS ON POSTS/THREADS BY ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED OWNER WHO HAVE EVEN MUCH NEWER JEEPS THAT DO THE SAME THING. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO KEEP MY JEEP IN WORKING CONDITION. IT IS WORTH ABOUT $3,000 IF IT WAS RELIABLE. I DID THE FUEL TANK RECALL. BROUGHT IN THE JEEP. IT ALREADY HAD A TOW PACKAGE INSTALLED. THEY KEEP THE JEEP FOR HOURS. LIKELY DID NOTHING TO IT UNDER THE RECALL. DIDN'T GIVE ME $100 GIFT CARD. EDMONDS VALUE OF MY CAR WITH 247,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IS LESS THAN $1,000. EVEN IF I GOT THE EXTRA $1,000 RECALL CREDIT, IT MEANS I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER LOW QUALITY VEHICLE FROM A BRAND I DO NOT TRUST. IN SHORT, JEEP NEEDS TO MAKE NEW PROGRAM CONTROL MODULES AVAILABLE AGAIN AND AT AFFORDABLE COST. THEY OWE SAFETY TO ALL JEEP OWNERS. SHAME ON THEM AND GOOD ON YOU FOR FINING THEM $105 MILLION. THERE IS POTENTIAL CAUSE TO FINE THEM EVEN MORE FOR NOT ADDRESSING THIS STALL/DIE ISSUE. THE STALL LEADS TO THE REAR END COLLISION AS WE CAN EASILY DEDUCE FROM THE FRED BAILEY EVENT. NO TIME TO REACT TO THE STALL... THEN BOOM. I BELIEVE JEEP HAS HIDDEN INFORMATION ABOUT THESE EVENTS FROM YOU. THE PROBLEM IS NO SECRET TO OWNERS FROM 1992 ON.

NHTSA complaint #10851381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN TWO OTHER RECALLS THAT THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION FOR YEARS NOR DID THEY EXPLAIN THE REASON THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 97V194000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10764068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Slidell, LA

POWER TRAIN

1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICES #13V-252 AND #02V-053. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE PART FINALLY ARRIVED, ONE BUSINESS SAID THE BOAT TRAILED HITCH WAS NOT SUFFICE, AND THE JEEP DEALER STATED THE PART DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10732119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clairfield, TN

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 02V053000 AND 13V252000 ((OEM) TRAILER HITCH) AND (SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM/ SHIFTER ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10721994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 230,000 miles Monett, MO

POWER TRAIN

MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING, STALLING WHEN STOPPED AND WHEN DRIVING, BACKFIRES BLOWN APART 2 MUFFLERS. IT WILL NOT SHOW A CHECK LIGHT OR GIVE AN ERROR CODE WHEN HOOKED UP TO A COMPUTER. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. HAVE DONE AS THEY HAVE AND REPLACED NEARLY EVERY SENSOR. HAVE YET TO REPLACE PCM/ECM. DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL FIX DUE TO SOME ONLINE HAVE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. LIKE THE PEOPLE ONLINE I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS, NONE OF WHICH COULD DUPLICATE OR FIND A PROBLEM. SURPRISED WITH AS MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE JEEP HASN'T RESOLVED THIS. I THINK DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE TRADED THEIR JEEPS IN AND GOTTEN VERY LITTLE TOWARDS TRADE-IN.

NHTSA complaint #10717760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, KY

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO PARK. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10631794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 171,000 miles Ivanhoe, NC

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AS IF POWER HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, AFTER A WHILE NOW IT IS BACKFIRING, STALLING OUT, BUCKING. I HAVE READ MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM THE I CARE TO READ. MOST OF THE TIME THEY LEAD TO THE PCM. AND IM CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY JEEP HASN'T FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP THROWING MONEY INTO THE CAR TO KEEP IT RUNNING. LET ALONE I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED MORE SENSORS THEN I CARE TO MENTION AND HAVE TRIED ALL THE DIY TACTICS. NOW MY MUFFLER IS EXPLODED. THAT BATTERY KEEPS DYING AND I AM FORCED TO BORROW A FAMILY MEMBERS CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK BECAUSE JEEP CANT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT HAS GONE TO A SHOP JUST TO BE TOLD "WE CANT FIND THE PROBLEM". IT IS UNSAFE FOR IT TO STALL OUT AND BACKFIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. AND IT IS KILLING MY FINANCES.

NHTSA complaint #10616227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverdale, MI

POWER TRAIN

JUST HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING AND ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA complaint #10610109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,908 miles Baltimore, MD Crash

POWER TRAIN

JEEP WOULD STOP COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, WOULD JUST PICK UP SPEED AT RANDOM WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT.TROUBLE WITH SIGNAL LIGHTS,VISIBILITY AT NIGHT NOT GOOD, SEEM LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS,ALSO 1 DAY IT WOULD START, NEXT DAY IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL,IT'S BEEN 10 MONTHS PLEASE HELP,IM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH MY GRAND-CHILDREN. JEEP NOT STARTING HEARD SIZZLING SOUND THEN EVERYTHING STOP COMPLETELY.

NHTSA complaint #10574226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Island Lake, IL

POWER TRAIN

I RECEIVED MY SAFETY RECALL NOTICE OVER 2 MONTHS AGO,AND HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM ANY DEALER #VC741345 N45 BESIDES THE GAS TANK PROBLEM,MY JEEPS IGNITION JUST TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING.IT REALLY SCARES ME TO DEATH.PLUS AFTER DRIVING FOR ATLEAST 30 MINUTES,AND I PUT MY CAR IN PARK TO TURN OFF,THE CAR KEEPS MOVING FORWARD,LIKE A JERK MOTION,I'M DISABLED & ON SS & CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR.PLEASE INCLUDE MY CAR IN THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION REPLACED[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10567523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Sunland, CA

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE STALLS EITHER AT SPEED OR DURING IDLE AFTER 20 MINUTES. WILL CONTINUE TO STALL FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES, SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO START DURING THIS TIME. THEN VEHICLE WILL RUN FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE NEXT DAY, OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE PROCESS WILL START AGAIN. EVERY DAY IT WILL STALL AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES - SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING, WHICH WILL CAUSE A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, OR WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, OR WHILE AT A RED LIGHT OR INTERSECTION. I NARROWLY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT STALLED AND A BIG RIG ALMOST SLAMMED INTO ME. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, SOMETIMES IT RUNS VERY ROUGH AND BACKFIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BLOW OUT. NOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES AND CAUSED MY EMISSIONS TEST TO FAIL WITH HIGH NO(PPM) OUTPUT. I'M GOING TO NEED TO CHANGE THE PCM AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO FIX THIS, BUT THIS WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR 1996 VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. JEEP ISSUED AN EMISSIONS RECALL IN LATE 2006 TO UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SOFTWARE ON CERTAIN 1996 VEHICLES. AS PART OF THE RECALL, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. 1997 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL FOR SOME REASON. PLEASE INCLUDE THE 1997 VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10443964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,003 miles Fresno, CA Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

at 90,000 miles Fresno, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EIGHT TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. RECENTLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CORE WIRES, SPARK PLUGS, HOSES, CAPS, AND ROTOR DISTRIBUTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION;LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #10255229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 235,000 miles Port Hueneme, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TOOK JEEP TO DEALER ON JAN 22 07 FOR ABS LIGHT CHECK. WAS NOTIFIED MY DEALER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM RECALL BO2. DEALER SERVICED DETENT RECALL MALFUNCTION. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT GO DOWN TO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, IT WAS BEING BLOCKED BY AN INTERNAL OBSTACLE UNDER THE SHIFT COUNCIL. TOOK CAR IN NEXT DAY AROUND 11:30 AM AND SERVICE WRITER WANTED TO KEEP CAR OVERNIGHT. SET APPOINTMENT WITH HIM TO BRING IT IN NEXT DAY JAN 24 07. DEALER ADVISED ME THAT MY SHIFTING BEZEL WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $95.00. I ADVISED DEALER THAT SHIFTER WORKED FINE WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO FIX WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY BROKE. DEALER REPLIED THAT IT WAS BROKE BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AND WORKING ON THE COUNCIL CAUSED THINGS TO SHIFT AND THUS CAUSED THE OBSTACLE. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT IN MY CAR THAT IT WOULD STILL BE WORKING FINE., DEALER AGREED WITH ME BUT WANTS $95.00 TO FIX IT.,.I DECLINED THE OFFER. TOOK CAR HOME AND REMOVED SHIFTING COUNCIL TO FIND THAT RED SHIFT MARKER WAS NO LONGER CENTERED AROUND THE SHIFT LEVER AND A RUBBER WASHER WAS NO LONGER CENTERED AROUND THE SHIFTER. PULLING THE SHIFTER BACK TOWARDS DRIVE CAUSED THE SHIFTER TO BE STUCK AT DRIVE BECAUSE THE RED SHIFT MARKER BEZEL WOULD NOT ALLOW SHIFTER TO GO ANY FURTHER AND THUS BLOCKED SHIFTER FROM GOING FROM 1ST OR 2ND GEARS. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION THE SHIFTER WOULD POP INTO NEUTRAL WHEN A ROAD BUMP WAS HIT AND THUS I WOULD LOOSE POWER, THUS AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. UPON PICKING MY CAR UP ON JAN 22 07 AROUND 5 PM I WAS NOT ADVISED THAT MY SHIFTER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY OR THAT I WAS DRIVING OFF IN A VEHICLE THAT NOW HAD AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10180615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Milpitas, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4WD 6 CYLINDER MILEAGE: 64,600 - ABS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING (ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $1800), 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4WD 6 CYLINDER MILEAGE: 64,600 - COMPLETE FAILURE OF DRIVE TRAIN (TRANSMISSION), BEING REPAIR AT A COST OF $2550.55.

NHTSA complaint #10178960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, NY Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LACK OF SERVICE FOR MY JEEP CHEROKEE. THERE IS ARE A COUPLE OF RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ONE IS THE B02 AND THE OTHER IS THE 879. I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THEM FIXED AT THE SMITHTOWN AND BAYSHORE DEALERSHIPS AND EACH APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. I CANNOT TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CAR ROLLS OUT OF GEAR WHEN IT IS IN PARK (B02 RECALL). SO THE WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE HASN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE MECHANICS WILL NOT BRING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP. AS A MATTER OF FACT THE ONE TIME SOMEONE ALLOWED IT INTO THE SHOP IT ROLLED OUT OF GEAR AND ALMOST RAN THE MECHANICS OVER. LETS JUST SAY WE ARE NOT ON GOOD TERMS BECAUSE OF THIS. PARTS ARE WORN OUT. BUT UNTIL THIS ROLL OUT OF PARK ISSUE IS TAKEN CARE OF NO ONE WILL SEE THE CAR. AGAIN I MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO SEE CHRYSLER DEALER BUT THEY KEEP CANCELING MY APPOINTMENTS. I WANT TO BE PAID FOR THE PARTS THAT ARE WEARING OUT AND CANNOT BE FIXED DUE TO NO MECHANIC WILL SEE THE CAR. AND I WANT THE DEALERSHIPS IN SMITHTOWN AND BAYSHORE REPORTED FOR CANCELING APPOINTMENTS THAT WERE MADE IN ADVANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10169781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bear, DE Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING UN-REPAIRED RECALL WORK TO A 1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, THAT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING SHE PLACED IT IN PARK, STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT LURCHED BACKWARDS INTO THE NEIGHBORS LANDSCAPE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED.

NHTSA complaint #10167981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

State College, PA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

CONSUMER NOTICED A CHIRPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS THAT DISAPPEARED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMER WAS REFERRING TO. THE CONSUMER HAD A LIST OF PROBLEMS THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE: ROTORS AND PADS FRONT AND REAR, EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES, WIPER BLADES, MUFFLER AND TAIL PIPE, OIL DIP DIP STICK, RIGHT AXLE BOOT,EMERGENCY BRAKE PIVOT, THE BACK GLASS NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE WERE 2 OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SHE WAS DESCRIBING SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS RELATED TO ONE OF THE RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10140983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmhurst Street, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT BEGAN JUMPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE DEALER, THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A SCREW THAT BROKE IN THE HANDLE CONTROL BOX.

NHTSA complaint #10121718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Collegeville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROARING SOUND AGAIN IN 3000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BEARINGS/SEALS AND BOTH AXLES BY DEALER. RECENT ROADTEST/INSPECTION BY DEALER CONFIRMS CONTINUED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF NEW BEARINGS AND AXLES. DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS NEW DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OR REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEE PAST ODI ID NUMBER: 10100860 POWER TRAIN:AXLE

NHTSA complaint #10110562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Collegeville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROARING SOUND AGAIN IN 3000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BEARINGS/SEALS AND BOTH AXLES BY DEALER. RECENT ROADTEST/INSPECTION BY DEALER CONFIRMS CONTINUED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF NEW BEARINGS AND AXLES. DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS NEW DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OR REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEE PAST ODI ID NUMBER: 10100860 POWER TRAIN:AXLE

NHTSA complaint #10110562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Collegeville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROARING SOUND AGAIN IN 3000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BEARINGS/SEALS AND BOTH AXLES BY DEALER. RECENT ROADTEST/INSPECTION BY DEALER CONFIRMS CONTINUED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF NEW BEARINGS AND AXLES. DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS NEW DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OR REPLACE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SEE PAST ODI ID NUMBER: 10100860 POWER TRAIN:AXLE

NHTSA complaint #10110562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Collegeville, PA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

ROARING SOUND IN REAR END STARTED DURING DRIVE TO FLORIDA, DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR INBOARD AND OUTBOARD AXLE BEARINGS. 3000 MILES LATER ROARING SOUND IS BACK AND NOW DEAL NEEDS TO INSTALL NEW AXLES AND SAME BEARINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10100860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,800 miles Concord, VA

POWER TRAIN

SEALS AND GASKETS NEEDS TO BE REPLACE TRANSFER CASE INPUT SHAFT SEAL(B) EXTENSION HOUSING SEAL A/T (B) INCLUDES R&I 4WD TRANSFER CASE ATF SEALANT WATER PUMP RADIATOR HOSE LOWER HOSE

NHTSA complaint #10069453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Texarkana, AR

POWER TRAIN

PAINT ON VEHICLE APPEARS BUBBLY. POWER WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING-REPLACED MOTOR REAR END HAS NOISE LIKE A ROAR-DIAGNOSED WITH BAD REAR END TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT LIKE IT SHOULD-DIAGNOSED AS BAD BRAKES GROWLING-

NHTSA complaint #10069983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,000 miles Mill Valley, CA

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

UPON ACCELERATING CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 8,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AT 40,000 MILES. *AK THE CONSUMER FOUND TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED IN THE 1998 GRAND CHEROKEE.

NHTSA complaint #10057413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Cleveland, OH Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER WALKED AWAY. THEN, TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS ROLLING . VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, CROSSED A STREET AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER TRIED TO STOP IT, BUT WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10050549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Wilmington, MA Crash Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT TAKES 5-10 SECONDS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO KICK IN. THEN IT BUCKS INTO GEAR. WHEN SITTING IDLE, THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS TIME, OUR GRAND CHEROKEE IS DEAD. WE CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SECOND GRAND CHEROKEE WE HAVE OWNED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. WE GOT RID OF OUR '95 GRAND CHEROKEE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION KEPT HESITATING, THE DEALER COULD NEVER SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, OF COURSE. WE KNEW THIS CAR WAS A LEMON AND GOT THE DEALER TO GET US INTO A BRAND NEW GRAND CHEROKEE (1997). NOW 5 1/2 YEARS LATER THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. JEEP NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND GET THESE CARS FIXED!

NHTSA complaint #10049364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

← Full 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee report