Jeep Cherokee / 1997
1997 Jeep Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 496 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee with NHTSA. Fuel system, gasoline accounts for 17.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.7%.
Complaints496
Crashes60
Fires7
Injuries30
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Fuel system, gasoline 17.9% · 89
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.7% · 68
Fuel system, other 10.7% · 53
Power train 10.3% · 51
Engine and engine cooling 9.7% · 48
Air bags 5.8% · 29
Electrical system 5.2% · 26
Vehicle speed control 3.0% · 15
Severity
Of those complaints, 60 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 30 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 20 model years of the Jeep Cherokee in this data, 1997 sits 14th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 125,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Fuel sending unit will read that the consumer has gas, but the consumer does not, and will run out of gas while driving. Dealer notified. *Ak the consumer had ran out of gas during rush hour-going 35mph. The gas gauge still shows 1/2 of tank. (The consumer has to watch the mileage in order to determine when he needs gas, and is concerned of grandson being injured) the manufacturer is aware. Scc Fuel system, gasoline
Ran out of fuel in rush hour traffic, but the fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank. The reading had been accurate prior to this incident, and has been inaccurate since. Could have been involved in an accident. Jeep has a recall due to this problem, for this model year, but my vin is not covered. I propose that the vins covered is not sufficient, other vehicles are having the same dangerous problem. Fuel system, gasoline
Having trouble with starting the car due to when car is parked on an incline the car is not getting enough gas. When driving it also feels as if the car is not getting enough gas even when the tank is full. Just found someone that will change the fuel filter and check the fuel pump. Every other place has denied doing the job due to the fuel filter and fuel pump is on top of the gas tank. Fuel system, gasoline
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…