MYRModel Year Report

1997 Jeep Wrangler

● Typical for this model
1997 Jeep Wrangler
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Wrangler Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 76 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 108 complaints 1994: 151 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1997 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 872 complaints 2008 2009: 368 complaints 2010: 684 complaints 2011: 481 complaints 2012: 829 complaints 2013: 646 complaints 2014: 647 complaints 2014 2015: 453 complaints 2016: 451 complaints 2017: 304 complaints 2018: 1789 complaints 2019: 721 complaints 2020: 592 complaints 2020 2021: 884 complaints 2022: 369 complaints 2023: 330 complaints 2024: 638 complaints 2025: 56 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1997: 401 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198738
198850
198962
199079
199176
199277
1993108
1994151
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008872
2009368
2010684
2011481
2012829
2013646
2014647
2015453
2016451
2017304
20181789
2019721
2020592
2021884
2022369
2023330
2024638
202556
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%

10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20031204

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE DEATH
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20180118

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120910

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960904

BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, REAR ENDED VEHICLE AND DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960620

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120910

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960515 — air bags

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.

Campaign 96V060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970715 — air bags

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.

Campaign 97V080000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980413 — air bags

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.

Campaign 98V046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040616 — equipment

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 COVE

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 A

Campaign 04E041000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050125 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DOD

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 1-800-880-305

Campaign 06E011000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 BRAN

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 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V060000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V080000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V046000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E011000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2021 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

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:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.