Problems · by component

1997 Jeep Wrangler steering problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler cite steering, 7% of all 411 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
7% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP ON A PUBLIC ROAD GOING ABOUT 45, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2014Steering, SuspensionODI 10618040
“VIOLENT WOBBLING OF FRONT OF JEEP , IT COMES AND GOES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND YOU MUST COME TO A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE . I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AS THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO REPAIR. IN MY OPINION IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2014Steering, SuspensionODI 10572544
“THE VEHICLE USED AS PERSONAL AUTO, NON RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, IN MORMAL CITY DRIVEING CONDITIONS. SPEED 50 TO 55 MPH, I PASSED OVER A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT, AN UNDAMPED OSCELATION WAS INITATED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLABLE AT ALL SPEEDS. I WAS ALBLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE AND STOP WITHOUT FURTHER INCEDNET. INVESTITAGION OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS IDENTIFED EXCEVE WEAR ON FRONT END TIE RODS AND STEARING DAMPER. THE CAR IS A 97 JEEP TJ WITH 35000 MILES . *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2004Steering, WheelsODI 10082993
“I BOUGHT MY 1997 JEEP WRANGLER IN JUNE, 2002 FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN BALTIMORE, MD WITH AN AS-IS WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD PASSED INSPECTION AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. IT HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT AND APPEARED TO BE GOOD. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS JEEP. FIRST THE WIRING HARNESS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION, NOW A DIAGNOSIS TO REPLACE THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND HAS A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, AND POSSIBLY THE STABILIZER BAR OR STEERING COMPONENTS. THIS JEEP IS COSTING ME MORE IN REPAIRS THAN THE ACTUAL VALUE OF IT. I FEAR THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT I M FACING MORE EXPENSES IF I KEEP IT, BUT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AS FAR AS LEMON LAW PROTECTION, RECALLS, HELP!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2003Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, Electrical systemODI 10023888
“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING RAN OVER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THE POWER STEERING RESOVOIR WAS POORLY DESIGNED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2002SteeringODI 8021598
“CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD @ PIPE UNION ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE. ALSO, POWER STEERING FLUID LEEKAGE FROM STEERING GEAR BOX REQUIRES COMPLETE STEERING GEARBOX REPLACEMENT @ COST OF $1350 ON CAR W/ 49,000 MILES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2001Steering, Engine and engine coolingODI 745693

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.