Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. The contact stated while he drove 65 MPH in the rain the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, the dealer advised the contact that the power train control module system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 116,000. Rk
Transmission was slipping since December 2001. Consumer would put truck in park and it would slip out of gear. Once he thought that had placed vehicle in park, and found that he had to jump back into vehicle because it was going backward. Vehicle in repair shop replacing transmission.
Rollaway in reverse while in park- left for work in a.m., backed out of driveway and proceeded to put vechicle in park on dirt road to get out and put mail in mailbox. After turning around from putting mail in mailbox saw that vechicle was moving backward.
Vechile was running in park position, approximately 1 minute after , vehicle was in reverse, moving every quickly. Consumer ran after vehicle, tried to jump into vehicle, fell down, hit head, could not stop, ended up hitting another vehicle.
Vehicle was parked inside of the garage. The driver went out of vehicle while it was running and vehicle jumped out of gear, causing consumer's vehicle to hit another vehicle inside of the garage. The dealer was aware of the problem.
While driving engine check light came on. Consumer pulled over to check under the hood. Consumer indicated that before engine check light came on, gears were slipping. A couple of days before, engine quit and vehicle would not go over 25mph. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said it was a common transmission problem. Dealer rebuilt transmission. At another time, consumer heard a loud bang. She stopped/looked under car, and noticed oil on the back window due to engine rod breaking off, piercing three holes in oil pan. No warning at all, and then vehicle died.
Incidents occured while driving in about 2-4 inches of snow on city streets. The vehicle was in four wheel drive. When attempting to turn a corner at intersections the front wheels locked up and plowed through the snow. The vehicle could not be steered, and I had to come to a stop to avoid crashing into curb. This occured virtually every time I attempted right or left turns at intersections in the snow.
While driving on highway at 60 MPH vehicle slipped out of gear from drive into neutral, and rpms were racing from 2-3. Also, transmission fluid was leaking and vehicle was jerking, vehicle was pulled to side of road. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who later determined that transmission had failed, and needed replacing. Consumer no longer owns this vehicle.
Engine check light illuminated on three occasions, indicating malfunction. When this occurs, the vehicle will not shift gears, the vehicle will also hesitate and lose power when accelerating. Dealers has replaced the computer system which did not remedy the problem. Please give any further details.
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 12% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 164,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.