10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 3
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #23

Jul 292000

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
While driving on a logging road I hit a pothole, the resulting jolt dislodged the radiator overflow bottle.the overflow bottle fell straight down and lodged on top of the steering assembly causing me to loose control of the steering.this happened twice on the same day. In my opinion the restraining mechinisms are insufficent and dangerous. Please contact me at (360)273-3970 so I can explain in greater detail what occured.

- Rochester, WA, USA

problem #22

Jun 012000

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Rough idle; engine check light on; stalling, bucking at speed; noisey/cracked exhaust

- Suttons Bay, MI, USA

problem #21

Mar 152000

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
The dealer stated this was a "design" flaw with all inline 6 cyl engines. Further more, they could repair it, but it would eventually break again. Everyone I have spoken with that has/had a Jeep as encountered the same problem.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #20

Apr 112000

Wrangler 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Noticed oil leaking. Had the vehicle serviced at the dealer who put a new seal on. After a second seal was put on, took it to the dealer to have the torque turning checked on the rear pinion gear. Was told that the bearings were all bad and needed to be replaced. Also, they had to rebuilt the rear end.

- Mason, MI, USA

problem #19

Nov 011999

Wrangler

  • miles
I have only included the one date I can remember that Jeep was in the repair shop. But, to this date, after Jeep warms up and then is shut off for approx 20 minutes, it hesitates on acceleration. Dealer said couldnt duplicate problem. Oil gauge dropped to zero, then engine knocked & I shut off. Dealer said oil pressure ok, could not duplicate prob. It still drops below 20 sometimes, but not zero again. I have had manifold bolts replaced twice and catalytic converter replaced once. Water leaks on passenger side & drivers seat belt gets caught in door latch.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #18

Dec 271997

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Oem part replaced 12/27/97; failed again 12/28/98; current mileage out of warranty. Mfg installing defective parts as replacement parts should be required to replace. One year life of this part is unacceptable! not available after market vendors. Trapped by Chrysler.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #17

Dec 081999

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Car has a bucking and poor proformance at highway speeds up long hills, making 60mph impossible. It has been a poor highway performer, but has become "rough-missfiring" very badly 3 times in the car life. First 2 serious failures I got a engine check light, resulting in dealer visits. Now the engine check light was "fixed" it is not there, but the failure mode is. The car exhaust pipe end is quite black, dirty running? the valves and internal engine parts are very dirty and had to be cleaned or replaced when inspected the last 2 times. It happened at 5K, 12K, and now at 37K. The car is now almost 3 years old and I have had it in for other repairs totaling at least 6 times. This is more times than my last 10 year vehicle had. (not Jeep) am I now out of help since it is out of warrantee at 36K" I am getting worried the car will not perform to 100K like this as it may be damaged! what is the extent of my rights now" thanks, ,

- Falmouth, ME, USA

problem #16

Nov 171999

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
I was told of the proble during an oil change at monro muffler and brakes. There is already a report in your site on the problem...service bulletin number: 11-07-98 bulletin sequence number: 312 date of bulletin: 9812 NHTSA item number: SB603108.

- Newfield, NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 011999

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Whenever my 97 Jeep Wrangler's engine is sufficiently warmed up, the oil pressure drops to under 20 psi. I have brought it to the dealer. They said it was the oil pressure sensor. When they claiimed to have fixed it, no more than a few weeks later, it started happening again. This time I tried to call them any left messages with the manager of the servive depatment. I was never contacted back about the problem. With my works schedule, it is hard for me to bring my car in all the time. Also with reports I read dealing with similar problems, I would like to rectify this problem asap.

- Watertown, MA, USA

problem #14

Oct 041999

(reported on)

Wrangler

  • miles
While driving in heavy traffic at highway speeds vehicle will shutdown without warning, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #13

Jul 111999

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
For guage problem, all dash guages intermittently drop to zero and airbag light comes on. Hitting a bump or top of dashboard fixes problem. For #2, oil pressure drops to zero when idling in traffic in warm weather or after long periods of highway driving.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 081998

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
In the morning the vehicle would backfire andwhen the vehicle is driven after it sits for 20 minutes. Now the dealer has replaced a exhaust manifold /catalytic converter/tps sensor/air intake housing, a broken stud in the exhaust manifold to head assembly, this has been going on for the past year and I get the same reply I can't find the problem or it's in the computer. This was all taken care off, but the problem still exsists. I've talked ato a lawyer and he couldn't help me. Maybe you can as this does cause a flame to come out of the intake. And now it's getting worse now it's when I'm driving down the road a 25 - 30 mph. What can I do? please help, scared to drive it might explode the engine while I'm driving with my son or girlfriend.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #11

Jul 011998

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving and coming to a stop and when taking off the vehicle loses all power. Dealer contacted seven times and cannot duplicate the problem.

- West Minister, SC, USA

problem #10

May 011998

Wrangler

  • miles
When driving and coming to a stop and when pulling off the vehicle loses power and will not take off. Dealer notified seven times and cannot duplicate the problem.

- West Minister, SC, USA

problem #9

Jun 171998

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Oil pressure guage drops to zero, warning buzzer sounds. Hazardous to pull over to shoulder in traffic, stop engine. Dealer reports oil pressure is fine, sender unit at fault. It's been repaired 3 times, still happens. I still feel it necessary to immediately reduce speed or stop until pressure guage reads normal to protect engine. This has caused some traffic safety issues for myself and other motorists.

- Sturgis, SD, USA

problem #8

Jun 011997

Wrangler

  • miles
The vehicle will experence sudden and unexpected loss of power. It will last about 5 seconds.

- Orwigsburg, PA, USA

problem #7

Jul 081998

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Electrical short started fire in the engine compartment and destroyed the entire vehicle.

- Newport, NC, USA

problem #6

Jun 241998

Wrangler

  • miles
Consumer complaining of vehicle stalling continually. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop from September of 1997 until present. Same condition still occurs. Dealer had vehicle in shop more then five times. This condition has endangered the consumer on several occasions.

- San Antomio, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 011997

Wrangler

  • miles
Engine bucks, back fires and attempts to stall while accelerating resulting in near collisions.

- Jericho, VT, USA

problem #4

Jun 031996

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine failure.

- Torrance, CA, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »