Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
What owners actually said
401 reports
36,000 miles · Feb 22, 2003
Visibility
THE 1997 JEEP WRANGLER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HVAC DAMPERS LITERALLY FALLING APART AND BECOMING UNUSABLE. THE PLASTIC ENDS BREAK OFF AND THE ACTUATORS WILL NOT OPERATE THEM. THE PART HAS BEEN UPGRADED BY CHRYSLER SO THEY NOW THIS EXISTS. IT IS A FAIRLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (OVER $700). MY IS DONE. THE DEALER DID JUST FINE BUT…
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THE 1997 JEEP WRANGLER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HVAC DAMPERS LITERALLY FALLING APART AND BECOMING UNUSABLE. THE PLASTIC ENDS BREAK OFF AND THE ACTUATORS WILL NOT OPERATE THEM. THE PART HAS BEEN UPGRADED BY CHRYSLER SO THEY NOW THIS EXISTS. IT IS A FAIRLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (OVER $700). MY IS DONE. THE DEALER DID JUST FINE BUT I HAVE ASK CHRYSLER TO MAKE THIS A SAFETY RECALL. THE DEFROSTERS ARE VIRTUALLY NON USABLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS IS A DANGEROUR SITUATION, DRIVING WITH NO DEFROSTERS. THIS PROBLEMS HAS OCCURRED ON MANY WRANGERS AND AS MY DEALER SAID CHEREKEE AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10007990
54,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CRACKING AT 54,000 MI/ ALTHOUGH THIS IS APPARENTLY A DEFECT IN '97 JEEP EXHAUST MANIFOLDS (BASED ON NUMBER OF PROBLEMS REPORTED ON INTERNET AND MANIFOLD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED) CHRYSLER WILL PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR WHICH IS OVER $900.
NHTSA ODI #10007646
50,000 miles · Jan 24, 2003
Fuel System, Other
I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY JEEP WAS NOT MADE ON THE RIGHT DATE UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAGE/SENDING UNIT FOR THE LAST (ALMOST) THREE YEARS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY JEEP IS NOT COVERED WHEN SO MANY MORE ARE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY GAGE SOMETIMES DOES NOT SHOW EMPTY…
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I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY JEEP WAS NOT MADE ON THE RIGHT DATE UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAGE/SENDING UNIT FOR THE LAST (ALMOST) THREE YEARS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY JEEP IS NOT COVERED WHEN SO MANY MORE ARE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY GAGE SOMETIMES DOES NOT SHOW EMPTY WHEN IT IS AND SOMETIMES SHOWES EMPTY 100 MILES INTO THE FULL TANK. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVAL OTHER JEEP OWNERS AND SOME OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. YET, THE DEALERSHIPS SAY EVEN THOUGH SOME JEEPS ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL OTHERS ARE NOT. CRAZY!
NHTSA ODI #10003324
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2003
Seat Belts
SEATBELT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT, CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO GET CAUGHT IN DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #10002988
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2003
Power TrainSuspension
5-SPEED TRANS HARD TO SHIFT COLD.FRONT SWAY BER LINKS BREAKING
NHTSA ODI #10002940
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART UNDER "IMPLIED WARRANTY" OR ANYTHING ELSE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR PROBLEM WEBSITES (AND YOURS) ARE FULL OF REPORTS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE IN LATE '90'S MODEL WRANGLERS. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO RECORD OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGHT THE PART HAS BEEN…
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DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART UNDER "IMPLIED WARRANTY" OR ANYTHING ELSE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR PROBLEM WEBSITES (AND YOURS) ARE FULL OF REPORTS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE IN LATE '90'S MODEL WRANGLERS. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO RECORD OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGHT THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. THE DEALER HERE HAS BEEN GREAT, BUT CAN'T DO MUCH WITHOUT MANUFACTURER SUPPORT. HERE'S HOPING THAT WITH ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THIS PART, CUSTOMERS CAN GET SOME SATISFACTION! DT
NHTSA ODI #770312
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST HEADER CRACKED AT 4 LOCATIONS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. JEEP DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND STILL WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. DT
NHTSA ODI #770247
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2002
Seat Belts
TYPE 3 SEATBELTS INSTALLED AND THEY COME OPEN IF YOU LEAN ON THEM OR IF A OBJECT IN YOUR POCKET PRESSES ON THEM WHILE IN MOTION. DT
NHTSA ODI #770246
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING RAN OVER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THE POWER STEERING RESOVOIR WAS POORLY DESIGNED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021598
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER THE CAR. ALSO THE MANIFOLD SUPPORTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH COULD FALL OFF IF CRACK WOULD BREAK COMPLETELY. THERE MUST BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT BECAUSE THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. I ALSO WAS TOLD THE USED JUNK YARD PARTS WERE CRACKED SO I COULDN'T BUY A USED MANIFOLD.…
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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER THE CAR. ALSO THE MANIFOLD SUPPORTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH COULD FALL OFF IF CRACK WOULD BREAK COMPLETELY. THERE MUST BE AN ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT BECAUSE THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. I ALSO WAS TOLD THE USED JUNK YARD PARTS WERE CRACKED SO I COULDN'T BUY A USED MANIFOLD. NOT ONLY THE COST OF THE MANIFOLD BUT THE SAFETY ISSUES WITH A FAILED MANIFOLD HAVE ME VERY CONCERNED. NLM
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.
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