Faults:

Front differential replaced at 20,000 miles.. warranty.

Rear differential replaced at 30,000 miles, was whining like an old bus, I suspect the crown wheels were not hardened correctly.. warranty.

Steering box replaced at 35,000 miles plus front axle bushes as the car was wandering all over the road, had a mind of it's own... warranty.

Petrol pump replaced (from inside petrol tank) as burnt out when apparently a fuel filter was incorrectly fitted, car broke down 5 miles from the garage after a major service. Warranty.

Steering column replaced as the steering bush became worn and the garage did not have a tool to remove the bush (a franchised Jeep dealer).. Warranty.

Gearbox overhauled as leak caused erratic gear changing and clunking... Warranty.

Rear differential oil seals failed twice where the prop shaft fits in (The vehicle has never been used off road). Chargeable.. expensive.

Radiator replaced at 70,000 miles (car 3.5 year old). Radiator fins at the side of the core corroded away. Cost over £300 plus 17.5% VAT. Chargeable.. very expensive.

Air conditioning recharged every year, car 4 years old now and air conditioning failed, new condenser, new evaporator, in garage 4 times and after paying over £1200 the air conditioning now works OK. Chargeable, very very expensive.

Exhaust manifold now just cracked, apparently a common fault, dealers says he has a Grand Cherokee with only 25,000 on the clock for sale with a cracked manifold. I suspect a design fault because the manifold is not supported correctly. Estimate repair to be in excess of £500.

Car immobiliser prevented me driving car on 4 occasions due to unknown radio interference, now carry a Philips screwdriver in the car to remove the drivers door panel, then disconnect the connector from drivers door switches, wait 30 seconds then reconnect, this resets the system.

Main drive belt been replaced 3 times, due to excessive drivebelt noise.

Corrosion / rust is on the rear seat brackets, tailgate catch and underneath bonnet skin, appears no primer has been used, this vehicle was apparently built in Austria.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been looked after and serviced regardless of cost.

The 4 litre engine is a plodder, and whilst being acceptable in cruise mode on the motorway it is slow off the mark and when pushed drinks petrol alarmingly.

I am disappointed with the problems I have had, particularly the differentials failing and the air conditioning, service costs are high, replacement components are overpriced.

The quality of manufacture is poor for such an expensive vehicle, no primer on a large number of metal items resulting in paint now flaking off in sheets, air conditioning failing in 4 years when a fridge can last 10 years is disgusting.

Depreciation is terrible, I paid nearly £31,000 pounds sterling in 1997, I was offered part exchange by a Jeep dealer £7000 when the vehicle was only 36 months old and with 60,000 miles on the clock.

Outside paintwork and bodywork looks good, under the bonnet and under the rear seats rust has already reared its ugly head.

Faults:

On my wife's vehicle (4.0L) the outside temperature sensor failed at 17K (replaced for free under factory warranty), other than that nothing but normal service costs.

On my vehicle (5.2L) some wiring came loose and the A/C, radio, and Driver Info System died at about 70K.

Local shop repaired wires, replaced fuses and refilled r-134 refrigerant all for $100, everything works great again.

Leather seat on the driver's side worn, but after nearly 4 years of Texas sun and 80K I'm not complaining. The rest of the seats look great.

General Comments:

We liked the 1997 Grand Cherokee so much we bought two!! The best thing I can say about both of these vehicles is that they were ALWAYS able to do what we needed them to do, from hauling landscaping supplies to taking five people (and their luggage) to the airport on a 110 degree Texas summer day.

Everyone knows who's going to drive whenever we go anywhere. Even my great-grandmother likes our Grand Cherokee because it's easy to get in and out of and the leather seats are so nice. There are 8 other Jeep products in the immediate family and friends and they are all Jeep customers for life.

I think if you maintain them properly, they will repay you with excellent service, mine have.

Off-roading is hard on any vehicle, if you want a toy, buy a Wrangler and save yourself the heartache (and $35 grand). Driving a Grand Cherokee sure as hell beats driving a mini-van!!