1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 991 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee overview page.
What owners report
“VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE FROM PARK, WENT BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO AHOUSE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO BOTH HOUSE AND VEHICLE.”NHTSA complaint 781169 — filed 10/12/1998
“VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS WITH NO ONE IN IT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WITH LEFT TURNS. DEALER NOT CONTACTED, INSURANCE COMPANY…”NHTSA complaint 828221 — filed 09/25/1998
“TRANSMISSION PERFORMS POORLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN GEAR IS ENGAGED.”NHTSA complaint 536999 — filed 06/23/1998
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 54 of 991 complaints on file (5.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee have in total?
991 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 112 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, 89 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
