1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 173about this part
- Share
- 17%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 173 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 17% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a certified pre-owned 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee from lansdale chrysler Jeep in october of 2002. Within 1 week, the ABS light came on and I took it back to the dealer. They explained to me that the ABS unit had failed and would have to be replaced at a cost of over $1,000 dollars. I submitted a hand written complaint to them that the car was certified and nothing should fail within a week. The ABS was replaced without charge to me. Three years later the ABS unit has failed again! Estimate charge for repair is $1,200 dollars. …”
NHTSA complaint #10145190, filed 2005-12, 91,000 miles“The rotors on my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee consistently warp after 6,000 to 10,000 miles. I have owned many cars and have also worked on many and have never witnessed such short living rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #10046798, filed 2003-11, 75,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10180615, filed 2007-01, 235,000 miles“Ecm has a fault circuit board per dealer and needs replacing . Causes completer power failure and engine will quit running , all electrical goes out -- no lights at night or emergency flashers -- and power brakes fail to work . This happens at any time , stopped or on the road .”
NHTSA complaint #11243393, filed 2019-08, 120,000 miles“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, filed 2014-03, 102,908 milesRelated recalls
- 00V136000May 10, 2000Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1996–1998, Cherokee 1996–1999
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 13% |
| 2025 | 8 | 10% |
| 2024 | 17 | 7% |
| 2023 | 28 | 7% |
| 2022 | 14 | 5% |
| 2021 | 32 | 8% |
| 2020 | 13 | 5% |
| 2019 | 116 | 31% |
| 2018 | 62 | 7% |
| 2017 | 29 | 8% |
| 2016 | 25 | 8% |
| 2015 | 40 | 3% |
| 2014 | 260 | 11% |
| 2013 | 146 | 18% |
| 2012 | 289 | 18% |
| 2011 | 331 | 20% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 24 | 3% |
| 2007 | 40 | 4% |
| 2006 | 71 | 6% |
| 2005 | 96 | 5% |
| 2004 | 159 | 12% |
| 2003 | 71 | 9% |
| 2002 | 179 | 12% |
| 2001 | 208 | 24% |
| 2000 | 438 | 30% |
| 1999 | 622 | 38% |
| 1998 | 161 | 16% |
| 1997 | 173 | 17% |
| 1996 | 118 | 13% |
| 1995 | 113 | 16% |
| 1994 | 132 | 22% |
| 1993 | 156 | 28% |
| 1991 | 3 | 50% |
| 1990 | 3 | 60% |
| 1989 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
305 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
254 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsBody and structure
61 complaintsElectrical system
56 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsEquipment
30 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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