“My 1997 jeep wrangler sport that has 52000 miles on it developed cracks and breaks in the exhaust manifold. With these cracks and breaks excessive amounts of exhaust fumes leak into the car. After doing some research on the internet this problem apparently is very common. There are many pictures of the exact cracks and breaks on the exhaust manifold from many diff people.”
Owner complaint, filed Sep 9, 2003
“Vehicle was making noise from muffler. Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic stated that exhaust manifold was cracked, causing exhaust leakage and needed to be replaced. *ak overtime, exhaust manifold cracked into three pieces causing hot exhaust fumes in engine compatments as well as drivers area. *yh”
Owner complaint, filed Jun 12, 2002
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the engineRecall (red: the engine)
Complaints about the 1997 Wrangler peaked in 1999, with 68 filed that year. No recall on file covers the engine, the subject of 24% of the complaints. In 2023 owners filed 1 so far.
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
Defect. BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
Risk. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
Filed Mar 10, 19981,600 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG 'CLOCK SPRING' WIRING HARNESS CAN BREAK WHEN TURNED TO THE 'FULL LOCK' TURN POSITION.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THESE AIR BAGS.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive97V080000
Filed May 16, 1997125,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation
Defect. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
Defect. THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.
Risk. DELAYED DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN A COLLISION.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES.
All 7 campaigns on file, newest first.
Technical service bulletins
84 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1997 Wrangler. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
body and frame 16electrical system 14equipment 13engine 10transmission 6visibility 5airbags 5fuel system 4
Showing the newest 6 of 10 bulletins about the engine, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires › Valve
Filed Jul 13, 2023HI
There have been 2 instances of the stem leaking air seemingly out of nowhere on 2 of the 5 tires within a year of installation. Both leaks were noticed after I had finished a drive. The service center we purchased the tires from has repaired 1 of them a few months ago and is currently repairing the second one. They told me that this is a somewhat common problem with this new tire design. 4wheelparts in Waipahu Hawaii can confirm that these repairs were necessary.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 5, 2021180,000 milesCA
FUEL GUACHE GOVEA INACCURATE READING AND DROPS TO EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS HALF FULL. CONTACTED THE LOCAL JEEP DEALER TWICE ON HAVING THIS PART REPLACED AND EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THEY WILL CALL ME BACK BUT THEY HAVE NOT.
Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash
Filed Nov 17, 2020190,000 milesCA
I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT ON BREAK. THROTTLE WENT VERY HIGH AND PROPELLED CAR FORWARDED EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE BREAKS PENAL DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. THERE IS NO WAY I PUSHED DOWN ON THE WRONG PEDAL. THE BREAKS COULD NOT HOLD THE CAR STOPPED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!
Suspension
Filed Aug 28, 202098,900 milesIL
AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE STEERING SEEMS LIKE IT WOBBLES ENTIRE VEHICLE.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 25, 2020FL
RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE JEEP I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS BUT WHEN I CALLED THE OWNER HE SAID ITS A BUY AS IS, NO WARRANTY, HE DIDN'T OFFER TO HELP WITH ANYTHING AND BEING DISABLED I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO GET ENGINE FIXED, TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC SYSTEM, NO AC, NO HEAT OR DEFROST EITHER ALL THESE THINGS I FIXED BUT NOW AGAIN IN 2020 I STILL HAVE NO HEAT, NO DEFROST, JEEP IS IN YARD NOT RUNNING AND I STILL OWE RIGHT AT 900 ON THE JEEP, THE OWNER HAS BEEN VERY RUDE, MADE THREATS, AND NOW NOT TAKING MY FINAL 3 PYMTS ON JEEP, NEVER BEEN LATE, EVER!!!! HE RUNS A SHADY BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT AND I HAVE A TOP MECHANIC THAT LEFT HIS BUSINESS TO VOUCH FOR THE ODOMETER TAMPERING AS WELL AS HAVING THE MECHANIC TO FIX ALL THE LIGHTS ON PANEL THAT SHOWED ENGINE RUNNING HOT, HE TOLD THE MECHANIC TO FIX IT OR HE WAS NOT GETTING HIS PAY CHECK, I HAVE THE MECHANICS STATEMENT AND HE WILL TESTIFY IN PERSON. I HAVE SEVERAL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE SINCE QUITE TO VOUCH HE SOLD LEMONS, AND SALVAGED CARS. HE LOST HIS DMV LICENSE BUT STILL CONTINUES TO FRAUD PEOPLE.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 21, 2019196,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V080000 (AIR BAGS). THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GANLEY VILLAGE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (2115 MENTOR AVE, PAINESVILLE, OH 44077, (440) 354-4358) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 196,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Structure › Body
Filed May 11, 201863,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS VISIBLY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MANAHAWKIN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (500 NEW JERSEY 72 WEST, MANAHAWKIN, NJ 08050) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 13, 201885,000 milesIL
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR APPROX. 20 OF ITS 21YRS. THE REAR FRAME WHERE THE TRAILING ARMS ARE ATTACHED TO THE BRACKETS RUSTED OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARMS WERE ALMOST READY TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO THE FRAME RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I HAD TO CUT OUT THE SECTION AND REPLACE IT WITH A SAFE T CAP PATCH. CUTTING OPEN THE FRAME SHOWED EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME. I CHECKED MY PASSENGER SIDE LUCKILY NOT AS BAD AS THE DRIVER SIDE BUT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE SIGNS OF RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE JEEP TJ'S. JEEP CUT SEVERAL HOLES IN THE SIDES OF THE FRAME THAT ALLOWED WATER AND DEBRIS ACCESS TO THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAIL BUT DID NOT PUT ANT DRAIN HOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME TO ALLOW THE WATER/DEBRIS TO ESCAPE.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 6, 2018130,000 milesNY
THE FUEL TANK SKID PLATE IS ROTTED OUT AND THE TANK IS IN DANGER OF FALLING.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 28, 2018140,000 milesNH
I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS JEEP COVERING EVERY SPECK OF RUST AS SOON AS I SEEN IT AND TODAY WHILE CLEANING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE JEEP I FOUND A RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME. FROM THE OUTSIDE IT LOOKS BRAND NEW. AFTER EXAMINATION I FOUND THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT FORM THE INSIDE OUT AND WAS FULL OF CHUNKS OF METAL. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MASSIVE SAFETY HAZARD THAT JEEP DESIGNED A FRAME THAT HOLDS WATER AND SALT AND WILL RUST OUT WITHOUT THE OWNER EVEN KNOWING HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 18, 2018139,728 milesSC
BOUGHT A JEEP WRANGLER AND FOUND TWO OUTSTANDING RECALLS #97V-808 AND 974-194.THE LATER ONE THEY FOUND PARTS FOR . THE AIRBAG MODULE THEY SAY THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND THEY CAN'T ADDRESS THE RECALL DUE TO PART UNAVAILABLE. MOPAR SAYS THERE ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ??
Air Bags
Filed Aug 14, 2017105,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Suspension
Filed Feb 8, 2017240,000 milesVA
THE REAR OF THE FRAME CAN RUST THROUGH DUE TO LACK OF DRAIN HOLES TO LET WATER AND DEBRIS OUT CAUSING THE REAR CONTROL ARMS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
Suspension
Filed Oct 21, 2016PA
MY FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNTS ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME AND THE FRAME ROTTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS THE REQUIRED SAFTEY INSPECTION. I STARTED LOOKING FOR A WAY TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE FRAME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DATE I HAVE ENTERED IS THE DATE THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 26, 2016135,000 milesMD
FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH AT THE UPWARD BEND TOWARDS THE REAR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES. ISSUE IS CONSTANTLY REPORTED ONLINE, IN FORUMS, WITH ENDLESS NUMBERS OF PICTURES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS IT COMPROMISES FRAME INTEGRITY. THIS ISSUE IS USUALLY NOTICEABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT IN MY CASE IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT SO IF I HADN'T CAUGHT IT I WOULD BE IN DANGER.
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 2016230,000 milesVA
THE FRAME IS RUSTING AROUND THE REAR CONTROL ARM MOUNTS , I HAVE SEEN OTHERS RUST IN THE SAME PLACE IN PERSON AND ON THE INTERNET. THERE ARE EVEN COMPANIES THAT MAKE REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM LIKE SAFE-T-CAP. THE RUST ON MINE IS BAD ENOUGH THAT IT WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 29, 2015135,000 milesAR
WHEN COLD, JEEP STARTS AND RUNS FINE. AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP, OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND JEEP WOULD ALMOST DIE. IF I SHUT IT OFF AND TRY TO RESTART WHILE STILL WARM, JEEP WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING AND IF IT DID START, IT WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY ROUGH AND BARELY ACCELERATE. ONCE I GOT SPEED UP, IT RAN FINE UNTIL I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WOULD BOTTOM OUT. DEALER PUT MANUAL GAUGES ON IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE OIL SENDING UNIT. OIL PRESSURE NOW HOLDS AT 20 WHEN AT IDLE. THE ISSUE WITH THE ROUGH IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER STILL PERSISTS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. REALLY DON'T WANT TO WASTE MONEY TRYING TO GUESS AT WHAT IS THE ISSUE. AS MANY PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES, JEEP SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ISSUE A RECALL. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Structure › Body
Filed May 13, 2015100,000 milesMN
FRAME RUSTING THROUGH IN FRONT OF REAR CONTROL ARMS. FRAME RUSTED THROUGH WHERE SKID PLATE BOLTS TO THE BOTTOM.
Power Train
Filed May 12, 201595,440 milesCO
NOTICED WOBBLE UNDERNEATH WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND NOTICED LIGHT SHOWING BETWEEN TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE AND FRAME (SHOULD BE TIGHT) AND BOLT HANGING DOWN. TOOK INTO SHOP AND LOWER MID FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING SKID PLATE BOLTS TO FALL OUT WITH NUTS STILL ATTACHED. SKID PLATE ALSO SERVES AS TRANSFER CASE MOUNT AND WHEN IT DROPS THE DRIVESHAFT WOBBLES. ULTIMATELY IF IT HAD COMPLETELY LET GO ON THE HIGHWAY THE REAR DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS CAUSING UNCONTROLLED SKID, OR THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD BREAK CAUSING DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS.
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2015154,557 milesME
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME AS A RESULT OF THE FRAME CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO BRAKE DRAINING THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 201471,596 milesNJ
FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH FROM CONTROL ARM TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BRAKING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT AND HARD TO STEER. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Dec 4, 2014MD
1997 JEEP WRANGLER CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR HELP WITH A RECALL ON CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. VIN IS NOT LISTED ON RECALL BUT SAME PROBLEM EXIST *CN
Suspension
Filed Jul 31, 2014150,000 milesCA
WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP ON A PUBLIC ROAD GOING ABOUT 45, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Suspension
Filed Jun 23, 2014FL
THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY, THE FRAME ROT CLEARLY STARTED MANY YEARS AGO. THE RUST IS QUITE BAD AND WILL NOT STOP. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BODY COULD POSSIBLY FLY OFF THE FRAME POSSIBLY BEING FATAL. THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM CONTROL ARM BRACKETS TO BODY MOUNTS ALL OF WHICH CAN LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Mar 24, 2014MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering
Filed Mar 15, 2014MD
VIOLENT WOBBLING OF FRONT OF JEEP , IT COMES AND GOES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND YOU MUST COME TO A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE . I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AS THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO REPAIR. IN MY OPINION IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 201397,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure
Filed Apr 20, 201391,000 milesMA
FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN PROUD OWNERS OF A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. IN1998, WE RETIRED TO CAPE COD, MA. OVER THE TIME WE HAVE OWNED OUR JEEP, IT HAS BEEN KEPT IN IMMACULATE CONDITION; THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, HAND WASHED WEEKLY, AND NEVER TAKEN OFF-ROAD. THE FINISH IS NEAR PERFECT AND ALL REGULAR SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. CURRENTLY THE MILEAGE IS 91,000 MILES. AT OUR LAST SERVICE APPOINTMENT WE LEARNED OF A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. IT HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR THE FRAME IS $5,000 FROM OUR LOCAL DEALER, PREMIER JEEP, IN HYANNIS MA. OUR MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME CAN BE REPAIRED BY WELDING 6 NEW SECTIONS INTO PLACE AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $2700. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE ARE DISMAYED. WE CONDUCTED RESEARCH TO SEE WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED DESPITE OUR UPKEEP REGIMEN. APPARENTLY, WATER IS KNOWN TO ENTER THE FRAME AND NOT PROPERLY DRAIN DUE TO IT IS DESIGN. WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATE WHO ASKED US TO HAVE THE VEHICLES GOOD CONDITION CONFIRMED BY OUR LOCAL JEEP DEALER WHICH WE DID. CHRYSLER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. WE ARE FILING THIS REPORT AS THIS FRAME IS GOING TO LOOSE INTEGRITY AND FAIL BASED ON NO MISHANDLING ON OUR PART. THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE FRAME DESIGN WHICH WE BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 26, 2012140,000 milesMD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 10, 201268,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS COULD BREAK WHEN TURNED TO THE 'FULL LOCK' TURN POSITION. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND CAUSE THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 9/25/12 *CN UPDATED 10/09/12
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 9, 2011129,295 milesTX
HORN DOESN'T WORK AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SHOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE AS WELL. *TR
Wheels
Filed Aug 2, 2011131,000 milesNJ
STANDARD STEEL WHEELS HAVE CORRODED AND ONE HAS STARTED TO LEAK AIR. METAL REMAINING ON OTHER WHEELS HAVE ALSO DETERIORATED TO A POINT THAT THEY MAY FAIL. NO INDICATION OF FAILURE IS EVIDENT TO THE DRIVER. WHEEL COULD RUPTURE AND FAIL CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL TO STEERING. 15X7 STEEL * 5 BOLT ON 4.5BOLT PATTERN BACKSPACING = 5.5 OFFSET = +38 MM. *KB
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 15, 2010GA
1997 JEEP WRANGLER TJ SAHARA - FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS WHEN TRYING TO FILL UP THE TANK. HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THEN I CAN COUNT. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN THE ASPECT THAT GAS LEAKS ALL OVER THE REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SPLASHES ON THE TIRE AND POOLS ON THE GROUND. NOT ONLY IS IT DANGEROUS BUT IT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AS WELL. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH JEEP YEARS 97-01 AND UP. THIS SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE A FIX AS THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 12, 201020,000 milesOK
WHEN FILLING GAS TANK, NEAR THE END, GAS GUSHES OUT OF TANK BEFORE NOZZLE CUTS OFF. HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. COMPLAINED TO DEALER MANY TIMES. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 15, 2010159,000 milesLA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 159,000.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 26, 2010165 milesGA
1997 JEEP WRANGLER TJ FUEL FLOW OVER AND LEAK. I HAVE A 1997 JEEP THAT OVERFLOWS ON FILL UP AND ALSO LEAKS OUT THE NECK WHEN FULL. THIS IS A FAULT DESIGN OF THE TANK.
Air Bags
Filed Jul 17, 200979,077 milesCA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING COLUMN CLOCK SPRING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $385. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,194 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,077.
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 8, 200899,000 milesKY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. WEEKS LATER, HE NOTICED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V046000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) IN 1999; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHAARGE. UPDATED 10/06/08. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 15, 2008TN
1997 JEEP WRANGLER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CONSISTENT DECREASE IN POWER, STUMBLING, AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. AFTER A WRECK I NOTICED THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. BOTH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE AUTHORIZED JEEP DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE WRECK BUT DUE TO FACT IT WAS A COMMON WRANGLER PROBLEM, AND IT PROBABLY HAD STARTED PRIOR TO THE WRECK I JUST HADN'T NOTICED IT. BUT SINCE THERE IS NOT A RECALL THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FIXED IT. *TR
Tires
Filed Jun 26, 2007OH
1997 JEEP WRANGLER FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *KB (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jun 25, 2007TX
JEEP SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON HIGHWAYS WHILE GOING 55 MPH +., CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO COAST THROUGH LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE MEDIAN. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE JEEP AND IT RAN FINE, BUT USUALLY ABOUT 20-50 MILES, IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN.. VERY HAZARDOUS. *AK
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Dec 6, 200675,000 milesWA
BOTH EXTERNAL RUBBER SIDE LATCHES FAILED ON 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE HOOD FLIPPED UP AND OBSCURED THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. THE HOOD WAS DESTROYED BY ITS IMPACT AGAINST THE ROOF. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED W/O THE STANDARD INTERNAL LATCH DUE TO SEVERAL PARTS CHANGES DURING THE MANUFACTURING YEAR. AN INTERNAL LATCH COULD NOT BE FITTED TO THE MIS-MATCHED HOOD AND GRILL. *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 11, 200668,000 milesNJ
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD AND BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE PETAL WAS APPLIED TO AVERT AN ACCIDENT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE LINES BURST CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE NATURE OF FAILURE WAS PERMANENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO RUST ON THE BRAKE LINE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND EXPRESSED THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO THE PUBLIC. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Aug 21, 200670,000 milesGA
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED A FAULTY READING. THE GAUGE INDICATED A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL WAS AVAILABLE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL GAUGE COMPLETELY FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.
Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 29, 2006GA
MY HUSBAND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. HIS SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD DURING THE IMPACT RESULTING IN HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE ROLL BAR AND AN EXAGGERATED FLEXION-EXTENSION OF HIS NECK AND BACK AS HIS THE SUPPORT (THE SEAT) BASICALLY DISAPPEARED. *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 24, 200675,000 milesFL
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND NOXIOUS ODORS. REPLACEMENT OF CONVERTER REMEDIED ALL THE PROBLEMS. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 19, 200540,000 milesCO
SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE....CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON 4.0 L 6 CYL. JEEP HAS REDESIGNED PART. I FORMERLY WORKED WITH A 4X4 REPAIR SHOP, AND ALMOST EVERYONE THAT CAME IN WITH A 1997-2000 (OR SO) JEEP HAD SAME CRACKS. LEADING 4X4 MAGAZINES STATE "IT'S NOT IF IT CRACKS, IT'S WHEN". GIVEN THIS MANY COMPLAINTS, JEEP SHOULD BE PAYING TO FIX THEIR FLAW, NOT CONSUMERS. WILL REPLACE WITH AFTERMARKET COMPONENT, NOT JEEP'S. *JB
Air Bags
Filed Oct 4, 2005110,000 milesTX
DT: THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER FOUND RECALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A SIMILAR ISSUE INVOLVING THE AIRBAG; NHTSA RECALL 98V046000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONSUMER TALKED WITH A DEALER WHO SAID HE WOULD NEED THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR INCIDENTS. *SC . *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 22, 2005CA
THE SEATBELTS IN MY CAR DO NOT FASTEN PROPERLY. THERE IS A GAP, NEXT TO THE CLIP, THAT IT GETS STUCK IN DUE TO ITS BAD DESIGN. FOR FEAR OF FAILURE, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I AM REPLACING ALL OF THEM.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Aug 17, 2005MT
DT: CONTACT STATED THE HOOD LATCH WAS MADE FROM RUBBER, AND WHEN A STRONG WIND HIT THE HOOD, IT BLEW THE HOOD OPEN AND CAUSED THE RUBBER TO BREAK THAT KEPT THE HOOD LATCHED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED YET. *AK
Complaints 1-50 of 401, newest first, reproduced as filed.
It is not among the Wrangler years to avoid. Owners filed 401 complaints, against about 407 for a typical Wrangler year. The most common complaint is about the engine (24%).
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
The engine: 97 of the 401 complaints (24%) are about it. Owners most often say it leaks oil or fluid (13%), stalls (6%) and burns oil or loses oil pressure (6%). The typical report comes at 71,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have?
7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Mar 23, 2006. The largest, 97V080000, covered 125,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 80,000 miles. For the engine the midpoint is 71,000 miles.
Are there service bulletins for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
The manufacturer filed 84 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the body and frame (16), the electrical system (14) and the engine (10). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
6 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.