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Model Year Problem Record

Jeep Wrangler 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

401Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
56Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine120 complaints

120 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags48 complaints

48 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 96V060000, 97V080000, 98V046000.

Seat Belts36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

96V060000Reported April 8, 1996 - 700 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 8, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 700 vehicles across all affected models.

97V080000Reported May 16, 1997 - 125,000 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 16, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 125,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V046000Reported March 10, 1998 - 1,600 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 10, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,600 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199612
199736
199851
199968
200051
200153
200235
200320
200418
200511
20065
20072
20082
20091
20104
20112
20122
20132
20146
20154
20163
20172
20185
20191
20203
20211
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.