1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 I6

Summary:

Awesome little tank!

Faults:

Nothing. Just the usual maintenance, such as belts, tires, brakes, battery, oil changes... things like that. I did have to replace the radiator once thanks to a bad off roading experience with a log. The power door locks in the front doors also tanked out on me at about 200K, but that's really about it.

General Comments:

It's been an awesome vehicle! Racked up a ton of highway miles since buying it new in '97. It's been extremely reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th October, 2006

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.7

Summary:

A giant piece of doggy doo-doo!!

Faults:

I don't know where to begin. With less than 1,200 miles on it, the fuel pump went out. A couple months later 'eerie' noises starting coming from the front end. Turns out the front differential needed replacing. At 28,000 miles, the rear differential had gone bad, the fuel pump needed to be replaced yet again, and the transmission started slipping. Keep in mind that I bought this Jeep brand new, took in it for the regular scheduled services (ie oil changes), and never EVER took it off road. By the time the Jeep had 65,000 miles on it, I had pretty much paid for the thing twice. The electrical system had gremlins in it the dealership never could seem to track down when it was in their shop, the manifold leaked, I was left stalled on the side of the road more times than I can count. I will never EVER EVER buy a Jeep again!

General Comments:

It looked good parked in my garage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th June, 2006

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 V8

Summary:

I love jeeps

Faults:

Just little things that are easy to fix.

General Comments:

I live in the NW of the US where theres nothing, but trails in the woods I have had 2 '95 limited GR. Cherokee's and a '97 Laradeo and they all have never let me down. I LOVE JEEPS.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2005

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 5.2L

Summary:

Works very well when maintained correctly

Faults:

Hit a extremely large pothole at 94,000 which damaged outer ball joint.

General Comments:

Lots of power.

Not a lot of legroom for a 6'4" man.

Works well off road and in snow.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2005

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2 Liter V8

Summary:

Great vehicle that ended in a dramatic fashion

Faults:

The vehicle was okay until it randomly caught fire in our garage due to an electrical problem. It had been sitting for 7 hours just fine. The next morning about 12 hours after we last used it, it caught fire and totaled the vehicle. The problem may have been random, but I'd keep a fire extinguisher handy!

Catalytic converter needed to be replaced at 85000.

Front axle CV joints went out at 90000.

CD player quit working well.

General Comments:

The vehicle ran well and had plenty of tow power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th August, 2005

8th Aug 2006, 18:32

I find your comments strange, I also have electrical issues with my jeep. Also I have issues with the front end. I wonder if this is most common with these jeeps?!

6th Aug 2007, 20:39

There must have been some type of improper repair or electronic component installation done. All of the vehicle circuits are fused, and could never develop the amount of current required to ignite without popping a fuse. The only other possibility is a fuel leak, but even still, there would have to be an ignition source. It's done now, so I guess you'll never know.

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 litre

Summary:

I would not recomend it to my worst enemy

Faults:

Alternator at 65,000km.

Brake pads and rotors at 40,000km.

Front swaybar links replaced twice, once under warranty.

Rear wiper motor died.

Front u-joints, steering stabilizer, and centre link replaced just after warranty expired.

Transmission oil pan rusted through and needs to be replaced.

Air conditioning condenser needs to be replaced.

Daytime running light module failed.

Anti-lock brakes have been disabled (pulled the fuse out) due too bad sensor.

Lift gate latch broke.

Rear differential pinion seal failed and luckily I noticed it in time before major damage to the differential.

Terrible fuel mileage.

A lot of rust developing on lift gate around the license plate bezel.

General Comments:

This vehicle was pretty enjoyable to own for the first 60,000 km., which happened to be the term of my warranty. After that it was just one thing after another. Luckily I can do my own mechanical repairs or this dog would have been gone a long time ago.

As a matter of fact, as soon as I get all the current problems fixed I will be getting rid of it.

After owning many GM vehicles over the years this was the first Chrysler product I have owned and it will also be the last!

I will be buying a Chevy Equinox as soon as I can unload this piece of junk.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th March, 2005

13th Apr 2005, 11:31

Hi.

I have just bought a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0l 4x4 and my rear wiper doesn't work either. Did you get yours fixed in the end? What was the problem and how much was it to fix?

Also, my headlights don't work (only my driving lights that come on automatically) and my high beam lights won't stay on either. Was this a similar problem to what you experienced? If so, how much did it cost to fix?

Thanks for all your help.