1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2 Liter V8 from North America

Summary:

Put a few more of this great vehicle in our garage.

Faults:

Nothing so far. I don't expect the problems to start until it gets over 120,000 miles like our last Cherokee.

General Comments:

This is a fast, fuel efficient Jeep. We love it. Jeeps will be in our family for years. The features are great. Ours has all the toys and nothing has gone wrong so far. We took it on a trip to Florida with no problems. We averaged 19 mpg with the V-8! We are now averaging 18 mpg. Would definitely buy another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st August, 2003

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 5.2 V8 from North America

Summary:

Off road in style

Faults:

I am currently replacing the brakes, and the fuel filter will need to be replaced shortly.

General Comments:

This is the best vehicle I have owned. This includes Ford, Chevys, and Dodges. It has good pick up for a heavy vehicle. It is also very capable off road. When up against other stock SUVs, there is no comparison. I would buy another Jeep in a second.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2003

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado 4.0 from North America

Summary:

After 160,000 miles of nearly trouble free driving, its time to get a new one

Faults:

Replaced the front and rear rotors twice since I have owned it and they are still not right. Rebuilt calipers, pretty much tried everything with out any luck.

Other than the brakes only minor repairs- After 100,000 miles the radiator started leaking slowly. However, it never overheated and we are talking mid-July in Phoenix, Arizona. Replaced for around $250.

There is a problem with the Infinity speakers blowing out. I usually have them cranked so its probably my fault. Replaced all four speakers 4 times.

Knock on wood; this truck has never left me stranded in 160,000 miles.

General Comments:

It seems to me that it takes jeep a few years to get all the bugs work out of a vehicle. If you are considering this body style I would go with 96-98.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th June, 2003

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lorado 4.0 inline 6 from North America

Summary:

A wolf in sheep's clothing when it comes to maintenance

Faults:

Air conditioning went out dryer / evaporator and compressor not all at once so that was even more frustrating. I had to re-visit the AC repair shop twice, hence the labor cost was doubled due to 2nd visit. Jeep seems to have AC Problems (I have down sized Cherokee also with AC issues)

The second common failure, for me, seems to be leaks (at about 40 K the gaskets seem to all fall apart. The rear main oil seal.. I have a buddy with 2001 and he just spent 1600 to replace the rear oil main seal. My rear oil main seal has a slow leak now, ouch!. The tranny gaskets are in the same situation. Not sure why the sealing system on the jeeps is so bad. I watch mine if you do not a Gasket issue will turn into a trany rebuild nightmare.

General Comments:

The inline six is great engine if the seals are tight not sure about the V8. It is frustrating for a 35k - 40 k vehicle. I would advise Daimler to fix the rear main oil seal issues and AC problems, and they would have wonderful vehicle. I hate go Toyota, but I think the Jeep repairs are at the Toyota level. That ore Chevy the cost for repair seemed less on my blazer and I was harder on it. A tighter jeep with a third seat may bring me back...

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

Review Date: 20th June, 2003

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 from North America

Summary:

A terrible piece of machinery

Faults:

After buying the Jeep at 34,000 miles, I immediately had to replace the brakes.

At 40,000 miles it needed new brakes and rotors. The fuel gauge also quit working.

At 42,000 miles, the 4 wheel drive would not shift out of part time and had to go to the dealer.

The electric door locks have never worked properly.

At 60,000 miles the brakes and rotors had to be replaced again!

At 70,000 miles some computer part controlling the fuel injection went bad. The dealer wanted $450.00 to replace it. I found a used part for $250.00.

At 80,000 miles the shocks and bushings had to be replaced due to excessive vibration and uneven ride. The drive belt also had to be replaced due to excessive noise.

At 90,000 miles the engine began losing power when depressing the gas pedal. I suspect it is the fuel filter. Of course you can't get to the fuel filter without removing the gas tank and a bunch of other labor which will cost you about $300-$500 at a garage.

General Comments:

Please do not buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have friends who have had all kinds of problems with their Jeep Grands Cherokees and they are different model years than mine. I wish I would have asked them prior to buying mine.

Depreciation is horrendous. Good luck getting out of your Jeep at a dealership without taking a loss for a minimum of $3,000 when it comes to trade in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th June, 2003

9th Oct 2003, 09:56

I really don't think any Jeeps are perfect and I completely blame it on the dealers. They sell you junk and they know it, just to make a buck.

I have a Grand Cherokee and my problems have been exactly the same as yours. However, when I take it to the dealer they only tell me part of what is wrong, which makes me take it back to them to find the next problem. I wouldn't recommend anyone purchase a Jeep unless they are friends with the mechanics at the dealership.