1997 Jeep Wrangler Problems, Recalls & Reliability
548 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 28/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 73,000 miles.
Typical
Where 1997 sits among all Wrangler years
What owners report
“Catalytic converter went prior to30,000 miles, had to be replaced ! Gasket cracked at only 37.500 miles, leaking water into engine, had to be replaced. Car has only 37.500 highway miles !!!”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
“Clutch and catalytic converter both need replaced with only 20,500 miles . Also has had two driveshafts replaced with only 10,000 miles. Has seen very little 4-wheel drive use, and has 20,500 after 4 years as original owner.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
“Airbag control module on recall, dealer told consumer to report to selling dealer to get repair.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
“Fuel tank and filler neck failed, resulting in tank not being able to be filled properly.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
“Clutch, flywheel all related parts failed, water leaking on passenger side floor, clock and radio broke dealer cant fix, seat belts wont retract, sway bars come loose”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
“Seat belt catches on door latch, door closes on the belt and will wear a hole in the belt material. Qcaw”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Wrangler
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 94 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 74,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 69,673 and 129,295 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
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…
Fix: 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.
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,…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THESE AIR BAGS.
THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
The 1997 Jeep Wrangler drew 548 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 28/100, scored against the model's worst year (2008).
What are the most common 1997 Jeep Wrangler problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler are engine (122 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (57), and airbags (48).
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Wrangler problems show up?
Owners most often report 1997 Jeep Wrangler problems around 74,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 69,673 and 129,295 miles.
Does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.