One problem related to manual transmission column shift has been reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Upon being towed by motor home, steering wheel locked up three different times, causing premature wear of tire tread. Consumer has contacted dealer. The front of vehicle has about 1/2 degree camber and dealer stated there is nothing that can be done except to change the entire axle and that would either make problem worse or stay the same. Consumer states that he puts the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park whenever towing vehicle, however on several occasions the steering wheels were found in locked position causing severe damage to the tires, consumer states that vehicle had been towed 40000 miles before this problem started occurring, on one occasion consumer states he had a difficult time getting steering lock to release and found the wheels were cocked about 10 or 15 degrees to the right and the front tire was in shreads, even the steel cord was torn, possible interlock system failure causing locking and wear of tires and axle being out of alignment. Consumer states sometimes while driving in 4-wheel drive, there is ajerking and roughness in turns on dry pavement, dealer stated this was the way the vehicles were designed. Air conditioner freezes up and soaks the carpets, vehicle needed new a/c module and complete new carpets.