1997 Jeep Cherokee Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 12%of 390 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 12% of the 390 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Went out to go somewhere and it had a hard time starting. As I began to drive down the road my Jeep started to backfire, all of a sudden it cut off and the steering wheel locked up and the lights went out it was dark so I could of been injured. When I got it to crank back my ABS light has been on ever since and we have bought about 5 hundred dollars in parts and tried everything we know to do even the mechanics we have asked about it have no answers for us, we can't afford to buy another vehicle and no one wants to buy it from us because of all of the problems we have had with our Jeep!”
NHTSA complaint #10473864, filed 2012-09, 149,000 miles“I own a 1997 Jeep grand Cherokee 4.0 l6 two wheel drive with 165,000 miles. I was driving down the highway at 65 and the engine died. Thankfully I was on an empty highway and was able to drive into the emergency lane. This happened four times since. I still had power but the engine would not respond. I took it to the dealer who could not find the problem. I have since heard of this happening to many 1990's jeeps, with no real known cause or cure. I changed the oil, spark plugs and cleaned the fuel lines. I will attempt to replace the PCM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216994, filed 2008-02, 165,000 miles“While driving the vehicle at an undetermined speed, the fuel light illuminated on the dashboard, then the vehicle stalled out. The consumer had made contact with the dealership on four separate occasions and the problem still occurred. Please provide any additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10052193, filed 2003-12, 100,080 miles“1997 Jeep Cherokee. Ehaust manifold crack. I have friends who own 98 and 99 Cherokee's with the same problem. Dealer states it is common. Makes for hard starting poor fuel millage and a fire hazard. Very expensive fix. Should be a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10000463, filed 2003-01, 42,000 miles“Radiator & various AC parts needed replacement. Steering gave out in 2002. A screw went through an engine part. Recently, a joint connecting the axel to the steering mechanism had to be replaced. Fuel pump failed. Incredibly, it is inside the gas tank. I have since learned that Jeep gas tanks corrode on the inside, thus clogging the fuel pump. This is a very expensive repair because of the labor. There is still the possibility that this new fuel pump may also fail, because the gas tank was not replaced and the problem still exists. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069497, filed 2004-01, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10191460Feb 26, 2016Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10020666Aug 1, 2006Reprogram pcm and inspect catalytic converter.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 | 10 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 0% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 37 | 16% |
| 2000 | 53 | 14% |
| 1999 | 36 | 10% |
| 1998 | 30 | 8% |
| 1997 | 45 | 12% |
| 1996 | 54 | 12% |
| 1995 | 136 | 22% |
| 1994 | 79 | 15% |
| 1993 | 34 | 8% |
| 1992 | 11 | 10% |
| 1991 | 17 | 7% |
| 1990 | 28 | 10% |
| 1989 | 13 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 9% |
| 1987 | 8 | 14% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee
141 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology