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1997 Jeep Cherokee engine complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1997 Jeep Cherokee engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 164,000 miles · MI

Engine light continued to stay on. Dealer stated transmission control module malfunctioned.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 74,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Dec 31, 2003 · Engine · 100,080 miles · OK

While driving the vehicle at an undetermined speed, the fuel light illuminated on the dashboard, then the vehicle stalled out. The consumer had made contact with the dealership on four separate occasions and the problem still occurred. Please provide any additional information.

Filed Jul 31, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · MN

Engine stalls when fuel level is 1/2 to 1/4 full, especially so when making turns. There are dozens and dozens of other jeep cherokee owners whom I have spoke to that also have this problem. Just visit any of the jeep owners internet message boards such as jeepforum.com, jeepsunlimited.com, or jeepin.com and do a search. You will find a suprizing number of results.

Filed Jun 26, 2003 · Engine · CA

While driving, the "manifold exhaust" cracked.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Engine · NV

While driving engine overheated due to faulty radiator. Dealer notified, and did not want to honor extended warranty.

Filed Feb 11, 2003 · Engine · CT

The manifold cracked. *jg

Filed Jan 13, 2003 · Engine · CA

Consumer stated when turning vehicle off, the cooling fan continued to run until battery was drained completely which caused vehicle to be undriveable.

Filed Jan 1, 2003 · Engine · 42,000 miles · TN

1997 jeep cherokee. Ehaust manifold crack. I have friends who own 98 and 99 cherokee's with the same problem. Dealer states it is common. Makes for hard starting poor fuel millage and a fire hazard. Very expensive fix. Should be a recall.

Filed Sep 2, 2002 · Engine · MI · fire

While driving, consumer stated that the vehicle began to bog down so he pulled over, consumer then noticed vehicle was on fire, ohio traffic crash report.

Filed Jul 29, 2002 · Engine · MA · fire

After returning from the grocery store, I parked the car in the driveway. 30 minutes later, I looked out the window to see black smoke coming out of the hood and the top of the hood was black & blistered. We dialed 911 to report this and the city of northampton, ma sent the fire department and police department. When the fire department arrived they were unable to open the hood release because it had been melted by the heat. They forcibly opened the hood and hosed down the engine compartment until it had cooled to a safe point. They filed a report and the police also filed a report. The car was towed to a local chrylser dealer that same day. On monday, july 22, 2002 I notified my insurance company met life. They sent an appraiser that week who stated that the engine fire was caused by debris entering the intake manifold. I notified chrysler manufacturing company at their consumer complaint number at 9am monday july 22nd that there had been an engine fire in my 1997 jeep cherokee sport. I also received information that daimlerchrysler is recalling over a million sport utility vehicles from 1999 to 2002 because of a manifold problem that could cause an engine fire. Many of these cars were jeep cherokee models. It has been described to me by the mechanic and insurance appraiser that this is why my car had an engine fire. Today I am filing this complaint, july 29, 2002. Chrysler corporation has not returned my calls or gone to see the car and review the cause of the engine fire. I am not able to determine if my car can be safely repaired and avoid a recurrence of the same problem. I would appreciate it if you can investigate my complaint and review the cause of the engine fire in my vehicle to determine if it should also be subject to the recall. Can it be repaired so that the engine fire does not recur due to problems with the engine design.

Filed Dec 10, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Consumer states that the gas gauge in the vehicle is defective, the gauge will read that the fuel tank is full but then the consumer runs out of gas. *ak

Filed Dec 7, 2001 · Engine · CO

Motor mounts were replaced twice. Consumer was traveling on highway and felt a vibration inside of vehicle. He was able to pull over. Vehicle had to be towed.

Filed Aug 10, 2001 · Engine · CA

Was driving 65mph and heard a clunking noise. Had taken vehicle to priviate mechanic, and was informed that bolts had either sheared off or were broken off on right side motor mounts. This caused engine to drop onto frame. First time vehicle was diabled. Currently, this was second time. Advised not to drive vehicle.

Filed Aug 3, 2001 · Engine · MA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Filed Aug 3, 2001 · Engine · MA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Jun 29, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Consumer was test driving and made a u turn and vehicle shut off with prior warning. Mechanic told him that fuel pressure gauge, and then a light came on. Also, tail lights were out, and computer was reset. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed May 31, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

We brought the vehicle to lehighton motors in lehighton, pa and they were not able to detect the problm so we were fitted with a black box and were told to drive around and activate the black box when the problem happened. This was a dangerous situation for us. They changed both o2 sensors. The problem persisted, and they decided that the fuel tank sensor package needed replacement. All this cost bout $800.00 for parts that were in a car with 35,000 miles, and it put us in seriously dangerous circumstances. We contcted daimler/chrysler for relief, but to no avail. Please investigate this situation.

Filed Apr 9, 2001 · Engine · PA · crash

Vehicle hit a pothole, dropped 3 inches on right side. Consumer pulled over, and noticed 3 of the bolts holding engine had broken off. *ak right engine mount bolts broke off in the block, causing a broken fan shroud, fan blade was hitting inner fender wall.

Filed Apr 6, 2001 · Engine · PA · crash

Engine bolts that hold engine up have broken off after hitting a pothole. Contacted a dealer.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Engine · NJ · crash

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.

Filed Mar 16, 2001 · Engine · TX

Consumer is not sure what engine problems are. Sending form to consumer, detail information will be added.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

First , this car was bought brand new with my ex-husband, nicolas jonville. We bought the car in october, 1997, from a jeep dealer in des plaines, illinois. It was a sales done through international autosource. We then brought the car out to california. Since june, 2000, this car has expeienced o2 sensor problems, exhaust manifold crack, spring defective attached to right front shock, and fuel tank accuracy problem. I have a three year old child and drive this car just to take her to pre-sechool and shopping. I work out of the home. I believe the problems I have experienced in one years time are abundant. I don't drive daily into los angeles or san diego, california. I drive barely 20 miles a day. I do believe these problems do cause safetly problems for my daughter and myself. I have fears of stalling due to fuel problems. I have fears of hitting something that affect the spring on the highway and getting in a bad accident. I now have fears of driving the car long distances since the exhaust manifold crack caused me to eat too much gas. The car is only over three years old. I want some answers and will sending this information further with certified documentations of my letters, my reviews of mechanic views and the dealers documentation. The dealer has been non-supportive of fixing any of my problems without paying a high price when I believe these are manufacturer problesms.

Filed Feb 5, 2001 · Engine · MD

We have just be told that we will have to replace our engine, because of the oil pressure in the engine. We have had repairs made for this problem every 2 to 3 months. We have had the same company work on our jeep if you need further information. This problem has gotten so bad that the engine has to be replace to fix this problem. I have spoke to other customers and they to have had to replace their engine to stop this problem. I can not believe that I paid $35,000.00 for my jeep and now have to put in a new engine. Chysler has to have had other comsumer with the same problem. We have been buying chysler for a log time, and never had a problem like this before. I hope that you look into my problem. Any help on your in would help our family.

Filed Dec 5, 2000 · Engine · MS

Consumer was traveling 65 MPH & vehicle started making a real loud noise. Consumer pulled over to see what was wrong, it seemed okay to drive vehicle home. Next day vehicle was taken to garage, motor bolts broke off. Dealer was contacted, but because of no warranty, they didn't seem concerned.

Filed Nov 27, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I think that the overall service of the jeep dealer really stinks. No safety defect listed within summary.

Filed Nov 14, 2000 · Engine · NY · fire · 4 injuries

While driving smoke started coming from under the hood and vehicle caught on fire. Jeep dealer has inspected vehicle.*ak consumer states that four people were injured, possible engine failure.

Filed Sep 12, 2000 · Engine · MI

How can the freon in a system outlast the system itself? There must be something wrong when the bearings in the system freeze u, p causing the belt to burn up and totally disabling the automobile.

Filed Jul 24, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · MI

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.

Filed Jun 27, 2000 · Engine · NY

Passenger's motor mount bolts shearing off in engine block during normal use. It has happened to a number of people with the 4.0l engine & chrysler knows about this & has come up w/ a fix concerning this problem. This is a very dangerious condition & it should be addressed this way. Chrysler is refusing to pay for this repair saying it is not covered under the extended warranty. The only reason this failure is accurring is because the bolts are probably being over torqued or of poor grade. Please help because I'm not alone with this problem.

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