JeepGrand Cherokee19975.9L/jeep/grand-cherokee/1997/5-9l/
ZJ platform

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee — 5.9L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Grand Cherokee 5.9L.

Body SUVEngine 5.9L

The 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L is a ZJ-platform SUV powered by a 5.9L engine, a configuration that frames this model year within the Grand Cherokee's documented run. Its reliability record includes 1,516 owner complaints and 14 recalls, with power-train issues cited as the leading complaint area. Within the broader 1993–2026 Grand Cherokee complaint spectrum, the 1997 model's 1,516 reports sit below the 2014 peak of 2,369 complaints yet far above the 2026 low of 9, placing it in the middle-to-upper portion of the documented range rather than at either extreme.

Model year19981997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53007386AB discontinued
Fuel filter04798301 discontinued
Spark plug68308887AA alt 68304020AA
Front wiper blades56005186AB discontinued
Serpentine belt53011097AC alt 53010150
Thermostat52028185AC alt 52028186AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3613 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.7 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1997 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 1998 5.9 Limited V8
245 hpHorsepower (as tested)
345 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19985.9 Limited V8 5.9L V86.80 sec15.20 sec245 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts135 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub175 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)200 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.95-1.20 Toyodenso ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,300-13,300 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity7.75 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Engine Oil Pressure6 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.44 in / 0.95 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Bands (adjust) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 51,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 1993 to 1998 the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s federal record shows a general rise in complaints, from 1,224 in 1993 to 1,558 in 1998, while recall counts remained relatively stable between 12 and 16 per year. Investigations dropped sharply after the 1993 peak of 26, falling to 8 by 1996 and staying at that level through 1997–1998. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) increased markedly over the same period, rising from 65 in 1993 to 98 in 1996, jumping to 135 in 1997 before easing to 114 in 1998. The 1997 model year sits near the top of the complaint range for the generation, with 1,516 complaints, 14 recalls, 8 investigations and 135 TSBs—indicating higher reported issues than the early years but comparable to the later 1998 figure. Consequently, while the 1997 Grand Cherokee does not stand out for unusually high recalls, its elevated complaint and TSB counts suggest a higher likelihood of needing service, making a thorough pre‑purchase inspection advisable if considering this year.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
135
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,516
Owner complaints
162 involved a crash · 28 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,516 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train266
Service Brakes, Hydraulic199
Fuel System, Gasoline179
Fuel System, Other147
Engine & Engine Cooling92
Air Bags47
Electrical System41
Suspension40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

13V252000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 19/06/2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear… Remedy: Owners may take their vehicles to dealers and the dealers will perform a free inspection of the rear structure. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 135 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1997 Grand Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.