Model year record

1997 Jeep Wrangler

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 549 owner complaints on file.

Jeep Wrangler, 1997–2006 generation
Pictured: the 1997–2006 generation. Tranquilize at English Wikipedia, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V046000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,600
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-10
Owners notified
1998-04-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THESE AIR BAGS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V080000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-05-16
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V060000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
700
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-08
Owners notified
1996-05-15

Defect description

THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.

Safety risk

DELAYED DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN A COLLISION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4260,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2454,000 mi
Air bags23105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline23—
Air bags: frontal2289,000 mi
Unknown or other1695,440 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1574,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1375,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor13—
Suspension1298,900 mi
Power train: manual transmission1156,200 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage11—
Structure: body1085,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly9—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system973,000 mi
Steering971,596 mi
Fuel system, gasoline820,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump835,000 mi
Fuel system, other850,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8—
Vehicle speed control8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine773,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7—
Structure: body: door7—
Visibility: windshield7—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery660,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system669,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch675,000 mi
Steering: linkages674,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly573,000 mi
Structure: frame and members563,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4—
Fuel/propulsion system4135,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch455,000 mi
Power train474,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4—
Power train: clutch assembly4—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft4—
Seat belts4—
Seats: front assembly: recliner4—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)4—
Suspension: front4—
Electrical system373,629 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood374,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3139,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3—
Structure391,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar3—
Suspension: rear3—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system336,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core3—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2—
Electrical system: horn2129,295 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine2135,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal2—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2—
Power train: driveline: differential unit2—
Seat belts: front256,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing255,000 mi
Service brakes271,596 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc21 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings269,673 mi
Structure: body: hood2—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm2—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2132,998 mi
Tires2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2—
Wheels235 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys173,629 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights180,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, air: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic168,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module197,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1139,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings184,758 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element133,600 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1996 model has 275 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Jeep Wrangler model years

All Jeep Wrangler recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.