1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 4%of 991 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,002miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the 991 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,002 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“We were on oour way home on the freeway, it was stop and go traffic, we were not going more than 3mphand my foot applied on the brake when the Jeep lurched forward and struck a boat and the outdrive causing $5000 to my vehicle and the boat is still in repair.”
NHTSA complaint #750033, filed 2001-08“The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was in an idle position with the brake epressed when suddenly, the vehicle accelerated abnormally. The contact applied full body force on the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10445898, filed 2012-01, 130,000 miles“I was parallel parking the car on my residential street. I was in reverse and proceeded to back into the parking space. The cars both in front and behind me were some distance away. Suddenly the engine reved to a very high RPM and the car shot forward and crashed into the car in front of me. The car was still in reverse when I turned off the ignition. Several persons witnessed the incident. They heard the high rev of the engine, and also noted that the backup lites were on when I hit the car in front of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #707172, filed 1999-06“The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically and independently start. In addition, the vehicle surged and proceeded to increase acceleration while the brake pedal was being depressed. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact crashed and slid the driver's side of the vehicle into a truck. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10549234, filed 2013-10, 90,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 8 | 10% |
| 2024 | 11 | 4% |
| 2023 | 18 | 4% |
| 2022 | 12 | 4% |
| 2021 | 17 | 4% |
| 2020 | 15 | 6% |
| 2019 | 15 | 4% |
| 2018 | 38 | 4% |
| 2017 | 21 | 6% |
| 2016 | 23 | 7% |
| 2015 | 53 | 4% |
| 2014 | 105 | 4% |
| 2013 | 22 | 3% |
| 2012 | 35 | 2% |
| 2011 | 37 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 12 | 9% |
| 2008 | 27 | 4% |
| 2007 | 60 | 5% |
| 2006 | 52 | 4% |
| 2005 | 88 | 4% |
| 2004 | 77 | 6% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
| 2002 | 38 | 3% |
| 2001 | 32 | 4% |
| 2000 | 52 | 4% |
| 1999 | 57 | 3% |
| 1998 | 39 | 4% |
| 1997 | 36 | 4% |
| 1996 | 35 | 4% |
| 1995 | 82 | 11% |
| 1994 | 68 | 12% |
| 1993 | 37 | 7% |
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 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