1997 Jeep Cherokee: hesitation when accelerating

7 of the 390 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Cherokee describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2022
1
2021
7
2020
3
2019
50
2018
7
2017
9
2016
33
2015
112
2014
95
2001
1
2000
2
1999
1
1998
4
1997
7
1996
2
1994
1
1991
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Jun 2, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 195,000 miles · WA

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. Possible remedies (from my research) include multiple parts and many hours of labor: o2 sensor, throttle position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel pressure regulator, engine control module, alternator, neutral safety switch, ballast resistor, transmission control module, torque convertor, power control module, transmission control solenoid, etc. What is causing all of these vehicles to stall dangerously?

Filed Jun 28, 2007 · Fuel system · 119,000 miles · UT

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 jeep cherokee. The vehicle hesitates to start when the contact turns the ignition. There is minimal fuel pressure when the vehicle starts. While driving 65 MPH, with a half tank of gas, the vehicle hesitated as if it were out of fuel. The vehicle continued to hesitate while driving between 25 to 65 MPH or greater. The mechanic diagnosed the cause of failure as the fuel system, gasoline delivery: fuel pump. The contact has been unable to drive the vehicle for two months. The current and failure mileages were 119,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2000 · Transmission · TX

The vehicle has a lot of hesitation. I need to have the powertrain control module replaced and maybe the catalytic converter. The vehicle keeps trying to die. I want to know what information the dealer needs in order to replace these parts. According to the warranty booklet these parts are warranted.

Filed Dec 8, 1999 · Engine · NY

Vehicle experiences infrequent hesitation when at low speed or accelerating at low speed. Dealer cannot determine cause.

Filed Oct 13, 1999 · Engine · MN

Vehicle hesitates and stalls in traffic and backfires when driver applies gas

Filed Oct 7, 1997 · Fuel system · MA

Driving 65mph when vehicle started to hesitate & stalled on highway in the middle lane & had coasted to side of road. Noticed gauge showing 1/4 tank of gas. Tow driver said vehicle was out of gas. *ak

Filed Aug 28, 1997 · Electrical, Engine · NY

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.