1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 5%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,200 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving about 50mph and the front end felt like it was coming apart. Steering wheel shaking bad and wheels felt wobbly. I have had this problem before and noticeably when I hit a bump or pothole at or above 45mph. What scared me the most I was coming up on traffic and had to brake. Braking while the vehicle is wobbly is very scary and feels as if the whole thing is coming apart.”
NHTSA complaint #10748018, filed 2015-08, 234,000 miles“When driving over a big puddle of water the steering became unresponsive. Display panel said check battery . Slowed down and finally pulled over. After a few minutes it was fine. Went down the road again and hit a big puddle. Steering again became unresponsive. Luckily not many cars around and I was on a side street. Mechanic can not locate the problem as there has been no rain lately to try and duplicate. I fear a major or fatal accident is forth coming.”
NHTSA complaint #10670676, filed 2015-01, 135,000 miles“I have contacted your office before following the jan. 24, 2014 crash that took my wife's life, on the vehicle indicated, it was equipped with michelin tires noted during the period before the recall this year. I had contacted you earlier about the air bags on a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee that failed to deploy in this crash. Could you please get back to me to discuss this latest development in what could have caused the death of my wife. Thank you very much.”
NHTSA complaint #10588412, filed 2014-05, 140,000 miles“Driving down road and our 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee veered to right without being able to control the steering. Our car hit another car causing major damage to the parked car and totalling our car. Upon inspection, the steering knuckle and spindle had broke.”
NHTSA complaint #10399480, filed 2011-05, 150,000 miles“Rattling in front end over minor bumps. Shocks already replaced, front-end checks out by mechanic. Also, popping and slipping of front-end into turns at slow speeds and right after a turn. It sounds dangerously like front-end is going to fall apart. I heard it's expensive and everything checks out so I desperately need help before I discard the vehicle altogether.”
NHTSA complaint #10030338, filed 2003-07, 65,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 9 | 4% |
| 2023 | 44 | 11% |
| 2022 | 23 | 9% |
| 2021 | 102 | 25% |
| 2020 | 13 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 4% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 16 | 5% |
| 2015 | 42 | 3% |
| 2014 | 81 | 3% |
| 2013 | 26 | 3% |
| 2012 | 100 | 6% |
| 2011 | 86 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 8% |
| 2008 | 24 | 3% |
| 2007 | 49 | 4% |
| 2006 | 37 | 3% |
| 2005 | 64 | 3% |
| 2004 | 73 | 6% |
| 2003 | 24 | 3% |
| 2002 | 41 | 3% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 48 | 3% |
| 1999 | 53 | 3% |
| 1998 | 40 | 4% |
| 1997 | 47 | 5% |
| 1996 | 67 | 8% |
| 1995 | 32 | 4% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 38 | 7% |
| 1990 | 1 | 20% |
| 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 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 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