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Reading VIN 1J4GZ78Y3VC638881 live from the NHTSA database…

Decoded · NHTSA vPIC · VIN 1J4GZ78Y3VC638881 · Checked Nov 13, 2026
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Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners

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What has this car been through?

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This VIN, character by character

How 1J4GZ78Y3VC638881 breaks down:

Recalls for this model year …

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Complaints on this exact build 11

NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.

1J4GZ78Y3VC•••••• 1997 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

This build draws 2.6× more complaints than the average 1997 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE build (11 vs 4).

11on this build
786on the model
189builds in total
Most reported Power Train 4 Fuel System 3 Other 3 Tires 1

What owners of this build wrote

Steering Jun 2001
Bracket attaching power steering pump broke off while driving, making the car virtually mpossible to steer. Similar problem reported on this vehicle type on jeep owner related I-net sites
Power Train Dec 2000
Jeep will not assist (it is beyong warranty) in any relief of a transmission with only 30000 miles - local dealer estimates cost of repair at $2,400
Tires Oct 1999
During the week of 10/18/00 I was returning from a business trip. I was traveling west in the driving lane of I-80 at approximately 2:45 am. In front and behind me were semi trucks and, in the passing lane, was a car. Suddenly I heard an "explosion" and my vehicle slammed to the…
Fuel System Nov 1997
Driver ran out of gas because sensor for the gas tank shows that there is a quarter tank, when in fact the tank is empty. Dealer is aware of problem. *ak dealer stated that they received a bulletin regarding the problem, consumer is angry that he has not received any notice…
Engine And Engine Cooling Feb 1997
Vehicle dies, engine failed without warning 15 times, occurred thru range of stopped/idling to get on interstate at 75mph
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Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1J4GZ78Y3VC638881 · decoded Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.