NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 411 owner complaints for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (112) and power train (51). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 217 |
| 2000 | 270 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2007 | 1,059 |
| 2008 | 1,255 |
| 2009 | 650 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 485 |
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 479 |
| 2016 | 462 |
| 2017 | 312 |
| 2018 | 1,827 |
| 2019 | 747 |
| 2020 | 618 |
| 2021 | 958 |
| 2022 | 412 |
| 2023 | 374 |
| 2024 | 970 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“1997 JEEP WRANGLER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CONSISTENT DECREASE IN POWER, STUMBLING, AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. AFTER A WRECK I NOTICED THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. BOTH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE AUTHORIZED JEEP DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE WRECK BUT DUE TO FACT IT WAS A COMMON WRANGLER PROBLEM, AND IT PROBABLY HAD STARTED PRIOR TO THE WRECK I JUST HADN'T NOTICED IT. BUT SINCE THERE IS NOT A RECALL THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FIXED IT. *TR”
“NOTICED WOBBLE UNDERNEATH WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND NOTICED LIGHT SHOWING BETWEEN TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE AND FRAME (SHOULD BE TIGHT) AND BOLT HANGING DOWN. TOOK INTO SHOP AND LOWER MID FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING SKID PLATE BOLTS TO FALL OUT WITH NUTS STILL ATTACHED. SKID PLATE ALSO SERVES AS TRANSFER CASE MOUNT AND WHEN IT DROPS THE DRIVESHAFT WOBBLES. ULTIMATELY IF IT HAD COMPLETELY LET GO ON THE HIGHWAY THE REAR DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS CAUSING UNCONTROLLED SKID, OR THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD BREAK CAUSING DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V080000 (AIR BAGS). THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GANLEY VILLAGE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (2115 MENTOR AVE, PAINESVILLE, OH 44077, (440) 354-4358) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 196,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto (L3), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Wrangler 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Wrangler 4WD Auto (L3), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 411 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (112), power train (51), air bags (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Jeep Wrangler at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).