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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

Service Brakes, Air complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Service Brakes, Air

VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKERS ON ALL 4-WHEELS. ON SLICK ROADS,GRASS,MUD, SNOW, FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP AND YOU DONT HAVE ANY CONTROL AS YOU CANT STEER. THE LOCK IS WORKING ON FRONT BRAKES BUT NOT THE ANTI. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DONT DRIVE IN SNOE. I HAVE REPORTED NUMEROUS TIME TO DEALER AND CHRYSLER. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHIN…

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VEHICLE HAS ANTI-LOCK BRAKERS ON ALL 4-WHEELS. ON SLICK ROADS,GRASS,MUD, SNOW, FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP AND YOU DONT HAVE ANY CONTROL AS YOU CANT STEER. THE LOCK IS WORKING ON FRONT BRAKES BUT NOT THE ANTI. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I DONT DRIVE IN SNOE. I HAVE REPORTED NUMEROUS TIME TO DEALER AND CHRYSLER. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT SERVICE MGR ALMOST WENT IN DITCH. LAST TIME I CALLED CHRYSLER THE LADY HUNG UP ON ME.

NHTSA ODI #704453

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Service Brakes, Air

BRAKE ROTORS, PADS AND DRUMS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605321

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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