1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 305about this part
- Share
- 31%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 305 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 31% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 4 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 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“When I stop with the brake firmly applied the engine surges sometimes and dies. If I put it in park and it will restart and I can proceed. This happens at traffic signals, when stopped, waiting to turn, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10575742, filed 2014-03, 163,000 miles“My vehicle will stop running while I am driving, the car will begin to shake uncontrollably and then it will completely die. This cause me to try to turn the car over several times till I get it started again and the vehicle will loss power, hesitate when I give it gas. This vehicle is not safe. Especially when I drive on the highway and it begins to shake and will completely shut down. I am afraid for my life, and my daughters.”
NHTSA complaint #10363819, filed 2010-11, 132,520 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“I noticed I was filling my tank more then I should have . Then the smell of gas was very strong when I took the car for a recall on the gas tank? I told them to please check for leaks that was in 2008 they said nothing was wrong and what they fixed will stop any leaks . …”
NHTSA complaint #10292921, filed 2009-11, 220,000 milesRelated recalls
- 97V194000Nov 7, 1997Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The fuel tank mounted fuel level sending unit accuracy can degrade over time, indicating significantly…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1997, Cherokee 1997
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 45 | 18% |
| 2023 | 55 | 13% |
| 2022 | 41 | 15% |
| 2021 | 41 | 10% |
| 2020 | 21 | 9% |
| 2019 | 8 | 2% |
| 2018 | 63 | 7% |
| 2017 | 33 | 9% |
| 2016 | 45 | 14% |
| 2015 | 117 | 9% |
| 2014 | 181 | 8% |
| 2013 | 113 | 14% |
| 2012 | 248 | 15% |
| 2011 | 283 | 17% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 8 | 6% |
| 2008 | 21 | 3% |
| 2007 | 31 | 3% |
| 2006 | 17 | 1% |
| 2005 | 34 | 2% |
| 2004 | 44 | 3% |
| 2003 | 18 | 2% |
| 2002 | 57 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 4% |
| 2000 | 61 | 4% |
| 1999 | 85 | 5% |
| 1998 | 166 | 16% |
| 1997 | 305 | 31% |
| 1996 | 134 | 15% |
| 1995 | 81 | 11% |
| 1994 | 55 | 9% |
| 1993 | 46 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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 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