MYRModel Year Report

1997 Jeep Wrangler

● Typical for this model
1997 Jeep Wrangler
BUILT 2026-09-02

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. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 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 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 371 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 833 complaints 2013: 649 complaints 2014: 651 complaints 2015: 467 complaints 2016: 458 complaints 2016 2017: 309 complaints 2018: 1809 complaints 2019: 732 complaints 2020: 604 complaints 2021: 906 complaints 2022: 381 complaints 2022 2023: 341 complaints 2024: 679 complaints 2025: 60 complaints 2026: 9 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
2009371
2010686
2011485
2012833
2013649
2014651
2015467
2016458
2017309
20181809
2019732
2020604
2021906
2022381
2023341
2024679
202560
20269

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 29%

29% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 118 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and exhaust system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
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

Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

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

Also filed under STEERING

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19960620

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

CRASH FIRE
SEAT BELTS 9%

9% of complaints: seat belts — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY

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 (118 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (57 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (48 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, 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.