NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 1,380 owner complaints for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Most complaints involve power train (294) and fuel system, gasoline (234). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Cherokee model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 450 |
| 1997 | 1,380 |
| 1999 | 2,004 |
| 2000 | 1,829 |
| 2001 | 1,111 |
| 2014 | 2,651 |
| 2015 | 1,794 |
| 2016 | 1,413 |
| 2017 | 1,338 |
| 2018 | 688 |
| 2019 | 1,673 |
| 2020 | 334 |
| 2021 | 177 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“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.”
“1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO COMPLETE VEHICLE FRAME CORROSION RECALL. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE VEHICLE HAD FRAME CORROSION. THE FRAME BOLT WAS DISLODGE INSIDE FRAME AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT, TO MOUNT THE HITCH.*JB”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Cherokee 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Cherokee 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Cherokee 2WD Auto (L4), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Cherokee 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Cherokee 4WD Auto (L4), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
10 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,380 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (294), fuel system, gasoline (234), service brakes, hydraulic (207). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Jeep Cherokee at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).