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1997 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 71 of 401 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports5 fire reports19 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

46 reports
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196,000 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Air Bags

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 M…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11281599

139,728 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Air Bags

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 ??

NHTSA ODI #11063569

105,000 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Air Bags

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11015127

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2014
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #10654395

97,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Air Bags

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 RECA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10534216

68,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Air Bags

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10474483

129,295 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System

HORN DOESN'T WORK AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SHOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418187

79,077 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Air Bags

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 THER…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10277164

99,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Air Bags

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, …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10241313

110,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Air Bags

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 HAV…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10138549

Official recalls

3

98V046000 · Air Bags:frontal

Mar 10, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

97V080000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 16, 1997

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

96V060000 · Air Bags

Apr 8, 1996

THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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