Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Upon depressing the brake pedal, it traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated that there was a complete loss of brake power. The dealer (cueter Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in ypsilanti, michigan) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 215,138.
Went out to go somewhere and it had a hard time starting. As I began to drive down the road my Jeep started to backfire, all of a sudden it cut off and the steering wheel locked up and the lights went out it was dark so I could of been injured. When I got it to crank back my ABS light has been on ever since and we have bought about 5 hundred dollars in parts and tried everything we know to do even the mechanics we have asked about it have no answers for us, we can't afford to buy another vehicle and no one wants to buy it from us because of all of the problems we have had with our Jeep!
Brake problems; at 2900 miles the disc rotors and pads had to be replaced. The emergency parking brake was also adjusted. About a month later, driver was involved in a crash when going uphill and applying the brakes. The wheels locked up, driver had no control over Cherokee. Jeep went over to the left side of the road, hitting a telephone pole. This happened on dry road conditions. Dealer would not look at Jeep. Jeep has been repaired.
On-going / intermittent problem with vehicle brake system; whenever brakes were applied on wet or rough surface road, it caused wheels to lock up and fishtail. This resulted in vehicle being out of control, bounce off gurdrail and spin before stoppin. No injuries reported. Dealer notified, and vehicle was being inspected by dealer .
Accident on 11-08-2000 wet surface, upon apply ABS brakes the vechile sled into intersection striking a gravel truck suffering approx. $ 9,000 in damage Jeep was struck on the left front and took the entire front clip off, but the airbags did not deploy, at what speed are the bags suppose to deploy, and is this a factory defect?
When brakes are applied they would vibrate. Power steering belt not working properly. Took to dealer & mechanic repaired brakes & steering belt. Was going upan incline & applied brakes lightly. Vehicle pulled to left. Emergency brake failed. Hit phone pole. Air bags did not deploy. Taken vehicle back to dealer.
While driving downhill about 15 MPH, with foot on brake pedal and depressing the brake pedal more coming to a stop sign, the pedal went to the floor and there was no breaking ability at all. Consumer made a sharp right turn and vehicle flipped over. The vehicle is being repaired. Please describe details.
Brake master cylinder does not work properly, causing excessive wear of rotors and pads which May cause extended braking distance. Common problem. Also, vehicle was bought used, and prevouisly was in a frontal collision, and airbags did not deploy. Please provide further information.
Consumer was coming to a gradual stop, traveling 25-30mph on dry pavement when ABS braking system failed, causing consumer to have a frontal impact collision. Dealer was contacted for this problem, but stated the braking system was fine. Please provide further details.
Went to start vehicle. The emergency brake was on and vehicle began rolling backwards and then accelerating. It crashed into consumer's husband's truck which was parked in the driveway, causing extensive damage.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Brake complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 19% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Cherokee brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-136 (rotor, May 10, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 215,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.