general problems of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

18 problems related to vehicle speed control have been reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2012

The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was in an idle position with the brake epressed when suddenly, the vehicle accelerated abnormally. The contact applied full body force on the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.

2 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/06/2011

The contact owns a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically and independently start. In addition, the vehicle surged and proceeded to increase acceleration while the brake pedal was being depressed. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact crashed and slid the driver¿s side of the vehicle into a truck. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 90,000.

3 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/15/2002

When at a stop brake applied, engine will intermittently rev, and vehicle will start to accelerate. Consumer has to apply brake hard to stop vehicle. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer.

4 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2002

Vehicle was accelerating, when the vehicle reached 55 mph the steering colum released and spun freely. The owner had no control over the vehicle and hit a telephone pole. The vehicle has been in the service center many times with steering and front end problems and all visits have been documented . These repairs have all been done at town and country gates are they responsible or is the manufacturer.

5 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2002

1. Came out of gear when in park and crashed sustaining 5000. 00 dollars in damage. Had received a letter from daimler-Chrysler in 2002,however it was not dated stating the car could do this. No recalls were present at the time. They denied any problem when car crashed. Called an attorney who was a relative that told without a doubt (100%) the car would do this. He then called me back and stated he could not represent me because he represented daimler-Chrysler. He was hired by Chrysler after he bought a viper from them that was a lemon and he shoved it you know where and won. They realized what an outstanding attorney he was then hired him. Talk about family ethics. They finally installed the secondary detent system in 12/2008. I was told it was repaired. 2 the car is stalling at high speeds,during u turns, while at stop signs. It to dangerous to drive. Jeep keeps telling me they can not find anything on diagnostics. I was out of town 250 miles from home and they want me to drive an unsafe vehicle back to the. They have been rude,evasive and blaming me. After 500. 00 there diagnostics showed nothing. It has been to 5 other mechanics and know one has been able to diagnose the problem. I now have a 1997 Grand Cherokee limited that is loaded that is dangerous and worth nothing. 3 if they insist on arbitration and a chance to fix it you will lose. It is worth your money to hire a lemon law attorney from the very beginning.

6 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2002

Vehicle was turned on and in park when it suddenly lurched forward, knocking consumer down and unconscious. Before stopping, vehicle turned in a counter clockwise motion, destroying all objects in its path. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.

7 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2002

Problem with engine revving while vehicle in or out of gear.

8 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 11/13/2001

Consumer accelerated after a stop and vehicle began to go backwards. Consumer applied brakes and accelerated again, vehicle repeated itself. Consumer put vehicle in park and back to drive, it was normal. Manufacturer is aware of problem, but nothng could be done until a recall is issued. Consumer also stated that vehicle has had 2 sets of brakes at 22,000 miles.

9 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2001

We were on oour way home on the freeway, it was stop and go traffic, we were not going more than 3mphand my foot applied on the brake when the Jeep lurched forward and struck a boat and the outdrive causing $5000 to my vehicle and the boat is still in repair.

10 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2001

Rpm's to 4000, mph 30; dealer claims problems with other customers with same problem. Diagnosed as "valve body and governor censor" replacement. Engine check light has been an ongoing problem since vehicle was purchase. Sometimes it goes off prior to the dealer, other times dealer claims its a minor problem. Warranty applied most times, now I am being nit picked everytime the engine light goes on, but this time it is serious.

11 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/17/2000

The transmission was slow to connect and the rpm's were going up and no movement was occurring.

12 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 04/25/2000

Engine speed continues after gas pedal is released at speeds between 35 and 60mph. Speed continues unless driver shifts to neutral. Engine speed increases to 2500rpm while in neutral and remains at 2500rpm until car is braked to less than 20mph. This failure to decelerate occurs every time the vehicle is operated over 35mph. The brake repair and differential replacement occurred before taking delivery of the used vehicle. Maybe the brake and differential failure are related to the failure to delerate without the use of the braking system. Naperville Jeep and koller Dodge both recognized the issue and replaced the throttle motor and throttle body but the failure to decelerate continues. Chrysler's star hotline says this failure to decelerate is normal. I have test driven other 1997 5. 2l Jeeps with trailer packages and those vehicles decelerated normally, in a manner similar to all of my other 45 years of driving experiences. The Jeep dealer claimed that mass produced vehicles normally have this variablility in behavior. They even suggested the deceleration problem was my fault because I bought the car.

13 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2000

While vehicle was in park with the motor running, it jumped into reverse. Took off and hit a pole. Vehicle was taken to the dealership and repaired.

14 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 06/22/1999

Constant rpm fluctuation, hesitation under load, shifting from overdrive to drive during freeway speeds, chronic.

15 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 01/10/1999

The vehicle was experiencing sudden throttling when traveling at about 35 mph. Consumer was informed that this was dangerous by a mechanic, but the cause was undetermined. When turning the air conditioner or heater it makes the engine throttle up and stay at accelerated speed. When the consumer takes his foot of the gas pedal the vehicle slows down until you turn on the heat or air. The consumer stated that when you start from a stopped position with the fan on, after you attained the speed you want and take your foot off the acceleratorthe speed and rpm will stay the same and will not slow down until the brakes are applied. The consumer stated that he had to turn the fan off at a complete stop in neutral to get the vehicle to function properly. Under heavy braking the brakes had a bad pulsation which caused the abs light to come on. Radio and speakers needed to be replaced.

16 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 05/08/1998

When owner got out of vehicle to unlock house door with the ignition running, not sure if vehicle was in the parked position, the vehicle remained in a still position for a few moments, then proceeded to roll forward, picked up speed and went throught the garage door. Continued to build up more speed going through the back of the back of garage until stopping. With the vehicle showing the drive position. Chrysler could not find a problem with vehicle.

17 Vehicle Speed Control problem

When applying gas pedal vehicle feels as if it is pulling in reverse. This happens at highway speeds. Dealer has not seen vehicle. Consumer states vehicle bucks and pulls back while driving.

18 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Would be driving vehicle and it would hesitate. Would rev up as if in neutral. Would suddenly kick in, and then accelerate. Have taken to dealership, and was informed by mechanic problem was low transmission fluid. After changing fluid in transmission was driving again, an d problem still occurred.


Other Vehicle Speed Control related problems of the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee


Safety Ratings of Grand Cherokee Cars
Fuel Economy of Grand Cherokee Vehicles
Grand Cherokee Service Bulletins
Grand Cherokee Safety Recalls
Grand Cherokee Defect Investigations