1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 1%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,003miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,003 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Failure of drivers side door latch, the fasteners have ripped through the metal of the door causing an unexpected door opening at highway speeds...this is not a new problem for Grand Cherokee's, there are very few driver's door that have not failed...my options for repair of a poorly designed component are quite few and no one is sharing any information...without metal to secure the latch to the door I have been forced to use a bungie cord (not osha rated...at all) until the door can be welded shut...then I have a three door truck without a way to easily exit the vehicle... …”
NHTSA complaint #10133765, filed 2005-08, 106,000 miles“Hood was recently opened for normal checks of engine. The hood did shut all the way. After driving about 5 miles at the speed of about 45 the hood came unlatched and flew up. The hood is unrepairable, hood and hinges must be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10093015, filed 2004-09, 118,000 miles“(1)prior to beginning a trip, my husband checked the fluids under the hood and then closed the hood. I drove for approximately 2 hours with no problems. (2)then while driving at approximately 68 MPH, going downhill, the hood suddenly flew open and crashed into my windshield. Both the primary and secondary latches for the hood had failed. I was unable to see the road, except for a tiny amount of the white line that I was able to see below the hood that was now resting upon the windshield. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130949, filed 2005-08“Rear end went out and vehicle was inoperable. Contacted dealer and wheel bearings were replaced. Rear end has been replaced twice already. Keyless remote failed. Fuel gauge failed. Buzzing noise when unlocking the doors. Transfer case leaking. Rear end makes noise, dealer rebuilt differential. Left front wheel makes noise.”
NHTSA complaint #8003329, filed 2002-01“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 2002-05Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 4 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 8 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 0% |
| 2006 | 25 | 2% |
| 2005 | 163 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 0% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 5 | 0% |
| 2001 | 3 | 0% |
| 2000 | 78 | 5% |
| 1999 | 19 | 1% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 1% |
| 1996 | 21 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 1% |
| 1994 | 4 | 1% |
| 1993 | 26 | 5% |
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