Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER/AIR BAG
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THESE AIR BAGS.
CHRYSLER/AIR BAG
- Summary
- THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.
- Consequence
- UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
CHRYSLER/INTERIOR SYSTEMS:AIR BAG
- Summary
- THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.
- Consequence
- DELAYED DEPLOYMENT CAN CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN A COLLISION.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (401)
401 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 401 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 109 | 27.2% |
| Fuel system | 54 | 13.5% |
| Power train | 53 | 13.2% |
| Air bags | 46 | 11.5% |
| Seat belts | 35 | 8.7% |
| Steering | 31 | 7.7% |
| Structure | 29 | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 27 | 6.7% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 6.5% |
| Visibility | 21 | 5.2% |
How 1997 compares with other Wrangler years
Best and worst Wrangler years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 108 | 3 |
| 1994 | 151 | 2 |
| 1995 | 202 | 1 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 401 | 3 |
| 1998 | 265 | 2 |
| 1999 | 213 | 1 |
| 2000 | 251 | 1 |
| 2001 | 170 | 3 |
| 2002 | 108 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 19 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · Automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · Automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 16 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 Wrangler for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 Jeep Wrangler FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 98V046000 (air bag), 97V080000 (air bag), 96V060000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Jeep Wrangler problems?
Owners filed 401 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (109), Fuel system (54), Power train (53) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 17 city, 19 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 Wrangler compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2002 Jeep Wrangler model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1997 the most (401). The 1997 drew 401. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.