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Electrical systemPart report

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical system Problems

Complaints
56about this part
Share
6%of 991 total for the year
Median mileage
151,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 151,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I purchased this vehicle and noticed the fuel gauge was fluctuating excessively so I check if there were any recalls for this vehicle . When entering vehicles VIN # it states 0 opened recalls for this vehicle, not sure if it was previously repaired. Please help me resolve this issue. Electrical issues were with rear drivers side window constantly gows down on its on every time I started the ignition. Please help. Thank you”

NHTSA complaint #11363851, filed 2020-10, 188,000 miles

“The engine control module shorts out and causes an onset of problems from wrong air/fuel ratio to shutting off car power while in drive and/or stationary. The vehicle shut off on me going down the highway at a constant speed, then suddenly I was unable to accelerate and was nearly hit by an 18-wheeler. This short in the ECM even caused backfire in my muffler and flooded muffler with gas. I have become aware of this on many jeeps from 1993-1997. Was this a recall at one point? Also, the vehicle information center does not work, this also is common. …”

NHTSA complaint #10949176, filed 2017-02, 122,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10717760, filed 2015-05, 230,000 miles

“My vehicle tolled to armory garage, because at that time, insurance had to keep sending someone to come and restart the vehicle. Or it will start but then turn around and stall later. After paying $1300 plus to armory garage, they only charged me for diagnosis and fixing problems with a battery being overdrawn. They claim to have replaced the bcm computer. However, after paying all that money I still have problems with my vehicle. I have replaced, starter, alternator, battery, computer module with armory garage, ignition coil fixed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10520663, filed 2013-06, 147,050 miles

“I was driving my Jeep to work all of a sudden it bucked and backed fired 2 times and then completely shut down no steering but was able to get to side of road restarted got it back home this has happened many times cant count how many times, I have had it towed home 4 times this year because of this problem and couldnt restart sometimes it bucks and feels like its going to shut down but restarts by its self without turning key this happens at any speed changed tps, crank sensor, starter, fuel pump, pick up coil,distributor cap and rotor plugs and wire, alternator now inside dash lights are…”

NHTSA complaint #10724991, filed 2015-06, 287,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026619%
20253139%
202411646%
202318245%
202213049%
202111528%
20207431%
20198423%
201833940%
20178724%
20166220%
201513810%
201448520%
201337647%
201283751%
201178048%
20104740%
20094734%
200847364%
200765859%
200675359%
200592845%
200414411%
2003557%
2002856%
2001425%
20001128%
1999845%
1998606%
1997566%
1996657%
1995406%
1994386%
19935410%
1990120%

Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fuel system
305 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
254 complaints
Brakes
173 complaints
Engine cooling
81 complaints
Body and structure
61 complaints
Steering
47 complaints
Suspension
43 complaints
Air bags
36 complaints
Vehicle speed control
36 complaints
Equipment
30 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Visibility (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 Oct 30, 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