Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I have a 1997 Jeep with 150,000 miles on it and I am having a lot of issues with it stalling out for no reason. It's been doing this for over a year. It started all of a sudden out of the blue. I have taken it to the repair shop over 20 times to try and get the problem resolved and they are not able to find the problem. They have even kept it over night and had it on machines to figure out why it stalls and am not able to figure it out. I have replace sensors, fuel filter, battery, not to mention so many other parts and nothing is stopping it from stalling out for no reason. I have spent so much money and I love my Jeep but I am real nervous to drive it that I might go to turn and the Jeep will stall while turning a corner and get t-boned by oncoming traffic. Or driving on the highway and all of a sudden it will sputter and stall out. …
Vehicle has hard starts and frequent hesitation and stalling, at all speeds city street driving as well as highway driving. I have had a new distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil, installed, yet symptoms persist. Sudden deceleration at highway speeds is a seriously dangerous condition. My research suggests this is a common problem with the Jeep Cherokee xj. I narrowly escaped a crash on a busy interstate highway this morning at freeway speeds. Jeep ought to be aware of this problem, yet there seems to be no remedy for owners. I would at least like to know what the problem is. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Cherokee. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the technician diagnosed that the exhaust manifold cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
1997 Jeep grand Cherokee laredo 4.0l i6 began stalling in 2010 under seemingly random conditions. Replaced several parts (spark plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, ignition coil, PCM) over the past four years to no avail. The difference currently is that the stall now only seems to occur at temperatures less than 65-70 degrees f. The colder the environment, the worse stall probability. Colder temps also increase probability vehicle will not start after a stall. Vehicle will always fire up on a cold start. Stall occurs at varying speeds (including at idle), but above approximately 40 MPH stall becomes what seems like a misfire. Believe I have narrowed the problem down to an intermittent connection in the wiring harness, either at the gray PCM connector (closest to body), or in the wire leading to this connector. …
Vic display show "coolant sensor bad." online investigations reveal many owners have experienced the same problem over the years. Their trial solutions have ranged from replacing the "coolant temperature sensor," the coolant level sensor," replacing "connecting wiring" to the vic, and to removing the vic to repair solder joints and cracks at the circuit board that is located in the vic. Most report that the first three attempted remedies did not resolve the defect. Some report success in re-soldering joints on the circuit board. The latter,--removing the vic and repairs at the circuit board-- is an involved process and requires extensive knowledge and repair tools and equipment. All report that this condition left unresolved could lead to the engine overheating and/or faulty data sent to the fuel injection system, and possible engine fire. …
I own a 1997 Jeep grand Cherokee 4.0 l6 two wheel drive with 165,000 miles. I was driving down the highway at 65 and the engine died. Thankfully I was on an empty highway and was able to drive into the emergency lane. This happened four times since. I still had power but the engine would not respond. I took it to the dealer who could not find the problem. I have since heard of this happening to many 1990's jeeps, with no real known cause or cure. I changed the oil, spark plugs and cleaned the fuel lines. I will attempt to replace the PCM. This is a very dangerous instance and I am frustrated that none of the mechanics that I have been to, even dealers, could find the problem, and just allowed me to continue down the road. If a cure for this problem is found I would like to be contacted.
Radiator & various ac parts needed replacement. Steering gave out in 2002. A screw went through an engine part. Recently, a joint connecting the axel to the steering mechanism had to be replaced. Fuel pump failed. Incredibly, it is inside the gas tank. I have since learned that Jeep gas tanks corrode on the inside, thus clogging the fuel pump. This is a very expensive repair because of the labor. There is still the possibility that this new fuel pump May also fail, because the gas tank was not replaced and the problem still exists. I\\\\\\'ve heard numerous similar complaints regarding the fuel system from other Jeep owners. There should have been a recall.
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!
The vehicle stalls unexpectedly when slowing down or coming to a stop. The check engine light is on, however; the code that comes up is for the ignition which was already repaired and not the issue causing at hand. This malfunction is freakishly common when I look it up online for this make, model, and year. This problem is very dangerous as it May or can cause death or serious injury if in intersection or busy road/highway. Please notify me of any solutions or information on this matter.
Engine lost all power, causing multiple near rear end collisions. Diagnostics indicated in Chrysler service manual posted "55" (end of MIL codes) indicating no failed components. Service station replaced o2 sensor and cleaned subsequent impacts to fuel injectors. Per Chrysler service manual, o2 sensor failure code "21" should have been indicated for such failures, thus affording a warning to driver of failed component.
Engine complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 13% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 150,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.