RecallMyCar

1997 Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, and owners have filed 390 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
390
owner complaints to NHTSA
44 / 7
complaints citing a crash / fire
15–20
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Instrument cluster/panel (electrical system) and 5 other components

    NHTSA 08V056000 Reported 107 vehicles potentially affected U.S. DRIVE RIGHT

    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…

    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…

  2. Rotor (service brakes)

    NHTSA 00V136000 Reported 589,000 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.

  3. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 00V105000 Reported 395,000 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Water and/or road salt in the proximity of the air bag control module could lead to corrosion.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module and locate the new module on the top of the transmission tunnel.

  4. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 97V194000 Reported 360,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit.

390 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Jeep Cherokee have filed 390 complaints with NHTSA; 44 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Reports cite 27 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 117,266 miles. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 68 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, both the driver side and passenger side air bags erroneously deployed. During the incident, the contact s”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 9, 2020 · Air bags

“Takata recall when i engage high beams or turn on my right blinker my hazards flash quickly in the back only. I have been pulled over multiple times due to this issue. Have had multifunction switch re”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 9, 2018 · Exterior lighting

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee (Cherokee 2WD, Cherokee 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined15–20 mpg
City / Highway13–18 / 18–23
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.5/4 L
TransmissionAutomatic (L4); Manual 5-spd

Compare Jeep Cherokee model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Cherokee model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1973 Jeep Cherokee01
1974 Jeep Cherokee30
1975 Jeep Cherokee50
1976 Jeep Cherokee40
1977 Jeep Cherokee10
1978 Jeep Cherokee21
1979 Jeep Cherokee20
1980 Jeep Cherokee31
1981 Jeep Cherokee21
1982 Jeep Cherokee20
1983 Jeep Cherokee10
1984 Jeep Cherokee37
1985 Jeep Cherokee317
1986 Jeep Cherokee421
1987 Jeep Cherokee557
1988 Jeep Cherokee097
1989 Jeep Cherokee3191
1990 Jeep Cherokee5270
1991 Jeep Cherokee5233
1992 Jeep Cherokee1113
1993 Jeep Cherokee3418
1994 Jeep Cherokee5519
1995 Jeep Cherokee6608
1996 Jeep Cherokee6447
1997 Jeep Cherokee4390
1998 Jeep Cherokee5399
1999 Jeep Cherokee2366
2000 Jeep Cherokee1369
2001 Jeep Cherokee2229
2006 Jeep Cherokee017
2014 Jeep Cherokee132,648
2015 Jeep Cherokee111,789
2016 Jeep Cherokee91,409
2017 Jeep Cherokee61,336
2018 Jeep Cherokee7687
2019 Jeep Cherokee111,653
2020 Jeep Cherokee3316
2021 Jeep Cherokee4168
2022 Jeep Cherokee351
2023 Jeep Cherokee13
2026 Jeep Cherokee46

Checking a specific 1997 Jeep Cherokee

How do I know if my 1997 Jeep Cherokee has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1997 Jeep Cherokee; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jeep dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V105000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Jeep models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.