1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 254about this part
- Share
- 26%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 254 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 26% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 54 of these say a crash was involved and 5 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.
“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“While driving the vehicle shut off. As if power had been disconnected. After coming to a complete stop started right back up, after a while now it is backfiring, stalling out, bucking. I have read more complaints about this same exact problem the I care to read. Most of the time they lead to the PCM. And im cannot figure out why Jeep hasn't figured out the problem. I cannot afford to keep throwing money into the car to keep it running. Let alone I cannot afford to buy a new vehicle. I have replaced more sensors then I care to mention and have tried all the diy tactics. …”
NHTSA complaint #10616227, filed 2014-07, 171,000 miles“I am having problems with my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee,I have read several other owners ,that are having the same problems with cold weather shifting of the transmission and also growling in rear end when backing.however I am convince that this is a company default.please contact me as soon as possible .”
NHTSA complaint #10007709, filed 2003-02, 95,000 miles“Engine stalls either at speed or during idle after 20 minutes. Will continue to stall for about 4 minutes, sometimes very hard to start during this time. Then vehicle will run fine with no problems for several hours. The next day, or after vehicle has been sitting for several hours, the process will start again. Every day it will stall after about 20 minutes - sometimes while turning, which will cause a total loss of steering ability, or while on the freeway, or while at a red light or intersection. I narrowly escaped an accident when it stalled and a big rig almost slammed into me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443964, filed 2012-01, 89,000 miles“Took Jeep to dealer on jan 22 07 for ABS light check. Was notified my dealer that there was a recall on my car for secondary detent system recall bo2. Dealer serviced detent recall malfunction. When I picked up the car the automatic shift lever would not go down to 1st and 2nd gear, it was being blocked by an internal obstacle under the shift council. Took car in next day around 11:30 am and service writer wanted to keep car overnight. Set appointment with him to bring it in next day jan 24 07. Dealer advised me that my shifting bezel was broken and needed to be replaced for $95.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10180615, filed 2007-01, 235,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V053000Feb 15, 2002On certain sport utility vehicles, if a driver has not placed the shifter lever fully into the "park" position and leaves the vehicle running, the vehicle may…Covers: Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993–1998, Grand Wagoneer 1993–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 38% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 31 | 12% |
| 2023 | 40 | 10% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 59 | 14% |
| 2020 | 39 | 16% |
| 2019 | 47 | 13% |
| 2018 | 75 | 9% |
| 2017 | 88 | 24% |
| 2016 | 78 | 25% |
| 2015 | 353 | 26% |
| 2014 | 475 | 20% |
| 2013 | 55 | 7% |
| 2012 | 102 | 6% |
| 2011 | 90 | 5% |
| 2010 | 22 | 19% |
| 2009 | 23 | 17% |
| 2008 | 77 | 10% |
| 2007 | 196 | 18% |
| 2006 | 173 | 14% |
| 2005 | 253 | 12% |
| 2004 | 54 | 4% |
| 2003 | 35 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 4% |
| 2001 | 102 | 12% |
| 2000 | 156 | 11% |
| 1999 | 386 | 24% |
| 1998 | 426 | 41% |
| 1997 | 254 | 26% |
| 1996 | 280 | 31% |
| 1995 | 247 | 34% |
| 1994 | 118 | 20% |
| 1993 | 99 | 18% |
| 1991 | 1 | 17% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee
305 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 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