MYRModel Year Report

1997 Jeep Wrangler

● Typical for this model
1997 Jeep Wrangler
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
401
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1997 401 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2006 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2011: 485 complaints 2011 2012: 833 complaints 2013: 654 complaints 2014: 654 complaints 2015: 472 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 310 complaints 2018: 1,820 complaints 2019: 741 complaints 2020: 610 complaints 2021: 942 complaints 2021 2022: 400 complaints 2023: 367 complaints 2024: 736 complaints 2025: 68 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1997 401 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2001 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2007 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 833 complaints 2013: 654 complaints 2013 2014: 654 complaints 2015: 472 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 310 complaints 2018: 1,820 complaints 2019: 741 complaints 2019 2020: 610 complaints 2021: 942 complaints 2022: 400 complaints 2022 2023: 367 complaints 2024: 736 complaints 2025: 68 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1988 1989: 63 complaints 1990: 80 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1997 401 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2000 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2006 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2008 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 833 complaints 2012 2013: 654 complaints 2014: 654 complaints 2014 2015: 472 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 310 complaints 2018: 1,820 complaints 2018 2019: 741 complaints 2020: 610 complaints 2020 2021: 942 complaints 2022: 400 complaints 2022 2023: 367 complaints 2024: 736 complaints 2024 2025: 68 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026

1997: 401 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198741
198853
198963
199080
199177
199277
1993109
1994159
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008873
2009372
2010686
2011485
2012833
2013654
2014654
2015472
2016461
2017310
20181,820
2019741
2020610
2021942
2022400
2023367
2024736
202568
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

29% · 118 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I have a 97 Jeep Wrangler. I have a problem everytime I start my Jeep after it sits for 20 min. It sounds like it wants to shut down and after pressing the gas to the floor it finally kicks in and takes off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-04

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Power train

14% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

12% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Fell a sleep and ran off the road, the Jeep rolled over and flipped over on front and back, driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, driver sustained injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-04

Also filed under Steering

Brakes malfunctioned, rear ended vehicle and dual air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-06-20

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-18

Fuel system, gasoline

10% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

CRASHFIRE

Seat belts

9% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1996-05-15Air bags96V060000 The air bag electronic control module (Aecm) software contains an error which can delay the air bag deployment in certain crash situations.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module on these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1997-07-15Air bags97V080000 The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-04-13Air bags98V046000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the clock spring in these air bags.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2004-06-16Equipment04E041000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2005-01-25Fuel system, gasoline06E011000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 118 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V060000 · Air bags
  • Recall 97V080000 · Air bags
  • Recall 98V046000 · Air bags
  • Recall 04E041000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E011000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Jeep Wrangler is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.