1997 Jeep Cherokee Country 4.0

Summary:

This was the best vehicle I ever owned

Faults:

The gas gage had to be repaired, the back cargo light button was replaced 3 times, and the fog light switch was replaced 3 times. All work was done under warranty. No other problems ever.

General Comments:

I have owned many cars and trucks from Street Rods to Crew Cab Dullies. My daughter just totaled our Jeep, she rolled it complete over and back on its tires. She did not get a scratch. This was the best vehicle I ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th August, 2004

1997 Jeep Cherokee 4 door 4.0

Summary:

I do love it

Faults:

2000 Right after I bought it the bushings, radiator,sway bar need to be replaced dealer said not under warranty, $900.00 to fix.

2001 Noticed the paint job is horrible black jeep white specs where paint is missing all over hood, cracking paint under clear coat. Dealer says it is from bird poop too bad.

2003 fuel gauge does not read right 1/4 tank sometimes I run out sometime I don't.

Also the rear oil seal started to leak fixed now.

The back brakes are making a clicking noise when applied. The front pads where fine two months ago now the rotors are shot along with pads.

Water pump replaced.

General Comments:

This Jeep is fast, and can handle speeds up to 100 great, was chased on the LA freeway by a nut in a expedition and left him in the dust.I had it up to 100 mph it jammed.

Kind of bumpy, but hey it's a jeep. not a jag.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th June, 2003

1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport Straight 6, 4.0L

Summary:

It's a Jeep... enough said

Faults:

The power windows have given me problems. The driver can control all of the windows with the master switch, however, the passengers cannot control their own windows. I think it is something wrong with the child safety lock switch. Sometimes the fuel reads empty when there is over a half of tank left. This can be corrected by turning the Jeep off and re-starting it. The back seat (4-door) is a little tough to get in and out of. The back doors are pretty small.

General Comments:

Over-all the Jeep Cherokee Sport is great. It has more than enough power (4.0L). It rides like a Jeep (not so great), but so do most other off-road vehicles. And believe me, this is an off-road vehicle. The Cherokee will take you anywhere you want to go. The winters of PA put down some serious snow and ice, but the Jeep keeps on going. I've been to Jeep Jamboree in my stock Jeep Cherokee and it hung tough with all the wranglers. It handles real well. No problem parking at the mall in this SUV. The gas mileage isn't the greatest (about 18 mpg), but still not bad for a 4X4. Other than a few electrical problems, I would say this vehicle is awesome. It lives up to the Jeep name.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd July, 2002

9th Oct 2003, 12:56

We used to have a 97 Cherokee sport also. The gas gauge was messed up like yours, constantly reading wrong. The crank sensor was also beginning to fail when we got rid of it.

26th Oct 2004, 17:10

We still use a '94 Cherokee sport. I found this site while looking for something that would tell me if I have have a problem with the gas/mileage, but our 20 mpg seems to fall in line with what you indicated.

A failing crank sensor caused intermittent stalling which kept a couple of technicians guessing for a while, but a Jeep dealer finally fixed the problem.

Our Cherokee will turn over 200,000 Km this fall and we still love it. It gets us to the lake, up/down muddy hills and pulls the boat with no problems.

4th Jan 2009, 12:38

Not a bad auto. Bought it in 2004. Very few problems. Check engine line came on and would barely run, got it fixed and it came on again but ran good. Been on for 2 years now and it runs great. I'll keep it till it dies. Bought used with 57,000 miles. Would buy another if I could get one in the same shape.

I give it 5 stars.

1997 Jeep Cherokee Rio Grande (US model) 2.5 I-4 petrol

Faults:

Have had two clutches, a new transmission put in so far.

Have had many annoying problems such as the driver-side window not rolling up all the way or even rolling down at all (very annoying where in NYC, every road seems to be a toll).

Very poor electrics - radio always going dead, headlights that magically turn off at night and so on. It does have 15,000 hard-earned miles driving in Manhattan as a commercial vehicle, however.

General Comments:

This truck is exactly what it is: a truck. Even with the more "luxurious" redesign in 1997, it rides, handles, and acts like a truck.

It is, however, very poorly made (not just this Jeep, but many other people I know who have Cherokees and Grands also have similar problems), and the dealers, at least in the States, are apathetic.

I like being able being up high and looking down upon the lunatic cab-drivers below, but my next vehicle is definitely going to be Japanese (Mitsubishi Montero Sport).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th December, 1997

7th Aug 2007, 20:21

I just have to chime in and say that I live in NJ and often travel to and drive in NYC. Going through a clutch in Manhattan in any type of vehicle is no major surprise, nor is going through a manual transmission if your shifting technique is not just right. So, I would not count the clutch problem as a strike against the vehicle given the circumstances you mentioned, regardless of what kind of vehicle it is. I very much like the Cherokees and intend to buy one in the near future. Thanks for the good honest review.