Model year record

1997 Jeep Cherokee

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 497 owner complaints on file.

Jeep Cherokee, 1997–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2001 generation. MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V056000

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Component
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Manufacturer
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT
Vehicles affected
107
Reported to NHTSA
2008-02-06
Owners notified
2008-03-12

Defect description

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'

Safety risk

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V136000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
589,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-05-10
Owners notified
2000-06-05

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Safety risk

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V105000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
395,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-04-11
Owners notified
2000-05-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. WATER AND/OR ROAD SALT IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE COULD LEAD TO CORROSION.

Safety risk

SUCH CORROSION CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT OR COULD ALLOW INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND LOCATE THE NEW MODULE ON THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V194000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
360,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-07
Owners notified
1998-06-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK MOUNTED FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT ACCURACY CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME, INDICATING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL IN RESERVE THAN IS ACTUALLY PRESENT.

Safety risk

OWNERS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS LOW ON FUEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH IF THE VEHICLE STOPS DUE TO NO FUEL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly5155,000 mi
Fuel system, other41—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor29—
Air bags: frontal18120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission18—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip18—
Engine and engine cooling: engine17100,080 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump16119,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12—
Vehicle speed control12149,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline11100,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1182,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch10—
Unknown or other9—
Electrical system8150,156 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner887,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8140,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch753,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc7—
Air bags6155,000 mi
Engine6150,156 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe542,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery569,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module4—
Electrical system: ignition4—
Engine and engine cooling4149,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional4—
Power train: driveline: differential unit4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Suspension: front4—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical3—
Power train380,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Service brakes, hydraulic3—
Steering374,000 mi
Structure: body3—
Tires330,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Electrical system: wiring283,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system242,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Exterior lighting2170,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2164,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes2149,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2—
Structure267,000 mi
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal281,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor287,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Air bags: side/window1120,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1150,156 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats1205,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Jeep Cherokee model years

All Jeep Cherokee recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.