10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,429 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 #7

Oct 302003

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 73,000 miles
My vehicle has run rough, idling rough, "bucking", losing coolant and dripping from the tailpipe about a week after the extended warranty expired. I have had major valve train problems and had to have the camshaft replaced along with the gasket, cylinder head, core return, radiator and now the latest is oil pressure gauge sending unit. Oil pressure still showing zero even after replacing sending unit!

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #6

Jul 312001

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Clutch, flywheel all related parts failed, water leaking on passenger side floor, clock and radio broke dealer cant fix, seat belts wont retract, sway bars come loose

- Ridgway, PA, USA

problem #5

Apr 042000

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Catalytic converter went prior TO30,000 miles, had to be replaced ! gasket cracked at only 37.500 miles, leaking water into engine, had to be replaced. Car has only 37.500 highway miles !!!

- Fort Lee, NJ, USA

problem #4

Dec 261998

Wrangler 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving lost oil pressure and vehicle started smoking. Vehicle caught on fire, and the consumer extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The manufacturer has been contacted. Oil was squirting out of the tope of the oil pressure sensor and running back on the catalytic converter, sensor failure and leakage caused fire.

- Weirton, WV, USA

problem #3

Jul 131999

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Multiple failures since September, 1998. After warm-up, then 20 minute cool -down, car will not accelerate, backfires and off to nothing, then catches and goes. Have replaced fuel pump, engine crank sensor and $700 tuneup done- no luck

- Wakefield, MA, USA

problem #2

May 031999

(reported on)

Wrangler

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Oil filter design is located in a very awkward place, exhaust pipe is just below filter and starter solenoid wires very close, resulting in damage to filter when wrench became intangled into starter solenoid wires.mjs

- Vernal, UT, USA

problem #1

Apr 171998

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Computer/front brake rotors and engine oil filter failed.

- East Haven, CT, USA