no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
1997 Jeep WranglerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 401 owner complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 13, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Jeep Wrangler has problems
401 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
109Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
53Power train3 crash/fire/injury
46Air bags20 crash/fire/injury
39Fuel system, gasoline2 crash/fire/injury
35Seat belts4 crash/fire/injury
31Steering5 crash/fire/injury
29Structure
27Suspension
22Service brakes, hydraulic
10616 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 109 | 7 |
| Power train | 53 | 3 |
| Air bags | 46 | 20 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 39 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 35 | 4 |
| Steering | 31 | 5 |
| Structure | 29 | 0 |
| Suspension | 27 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 22 | 8 |
| 16 other systems | 106 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 Jeep Wrangler recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. DELAYED DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN A COLLISION.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Wrangler year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Wrangler median. How we score
3850627976771081512022401265213251170108981926507305588733726864868376576584814643121,8297496199624143777607512
'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Jeep Wrangler safety ratings
1997 Jeep Wrangler 2-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Wrangler owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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,…
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
CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND NOXIOUS ODORS. REPLACEMENT OF CONVERTER REMEDIED ALL THE PROBLEMS. *JB
Own a 1997 Wrangler?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.