1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 1%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Automatic headlights turn on and off in rapid sequence when driving on street lamp lit streets. Work fine on dark country roads, but not in town. Must turn headlights to manual.”
NHTSA complaint #10245393, filed 2008-10, 171,000 miles“I was travelling at 55 MPH when I went from highbeams to lowbeams and the headlights went out completely. They only returned after I switched from high to low beam again !! I took the vehicle in again for servicing and they replaced the turn signal/high beam switch. I went out to my vehicle saturday night, 3.25.00 and the headlights would not turn on. Not until I switched the high beam and low beam switch again.”
NHTSA complaint #720737, filed 2000-03“The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact smelled a gasoline fuel odor in the vehicle after it stalled. There was also a failure with the turn signals intermittently not illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure continued. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10461800, filed 2012-06, 158,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the head light dimmer switch was replaced three times since he owned the vehicle. He stated that the switch could malfunction and potentially cause a fire to occur . He also stated that while driving on the highway the lights would shut on and off. The failure had occurred since he owned the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and they are aware of failure and confirmed that the parts were on backorder. The failure and current mileages were 143,000. Updated 01/03/11”
NHTSA complaint #10358608, filed 2010-10, 143,000 miles“Consumer states transmission does not shift the way it should, there is a delay when going into gear and it makes a noise, rear seal, pan gasket, and cooler lines leaking, humming in engine at 59-62 MPH, the wiper blades failed, while using remote there is a grinding noise coming from door area, the right front rotor is worn, the deqler replaced the front brake pads, and headlights need to be adjusted.”
NHTSA complaint #8009546, filed 2002-05Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 16 | 6% |
| 2023 | 8 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 42 | 10% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 12 | 3% |
| 2018 | 22 | 3% |
| 2017 | 14 | 4% |
| 2016 | 10 | 3% |
| 2015 | 19 | 1% |
| 2014 | 54 | 2% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 34 | 2% |
| 2011 | 37 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 17 | 2% |
| 2007 | 23 | 2% |
| 2006 | 64 | 5% |
| 2005 | 60 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% |
| 2002 | 19 | 1% |
| 2001 | 26 | 3% |
| 2000 | 72 | 5% |
| 1999 | 35 | 2% |
| 1998 | 15 | 1% |
| 1997 | 14 | 1% |
| 1996 | 14 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 1% |
| 1994 | 8 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
305 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
254 complaintsBrakes
173 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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