1997 Jeep Wrangler Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 401 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 1% of the 401 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When cold, Jeep starts and runs fine. After engine warms up, oil pressure would drop and Jeep would almost die. If I shut it off and try to restart while still warm, Jeep would have a hard time starting and if it did start, it would idle extremely rough and barely accelerate. Once I got speed up, it ran fine until I stopped at a red light and it would act like it was going to die and the oil pressure gauge would bottom out. Dealer put manual gauges on it and determined it was the oil sending unit. Oil pressure now holds at 20 when at idle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10760112, filed 2015-08, 135,000 miles“Right after I bought the Jeep I started having problems but when I called the owner he said its a buy as is, no warranty, he didn't offer to help with anything and being disabled I had no other choice but to get engine fixed, transmission, clutch, the entire electric system, no AC, no heat or defrost either all these things I fixed but now again in 2020 I still have no heat, no defrost, Jeep is in yard not running and I still owe right at 900 on the Jeep, the owner has been very rude, made threats, and now not taking my final 3 pymts on Jeep, never been late, ever!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11301864, filed 2020-01Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 29 | 40% |
| 2024 | 417 | 56% |
| 2023 | 108 | 29% |
| 2022 | 93 | 23% |
| 2021 | 222 | 23% |
| 2020 | 56 | 9% |
| 2019 | 45 | 6% |
| 2018 | 99 | 5% |
| 2017 | 62 | 20% |
| 2016 | 88 | 19% |
| 2015 | 128 | 27% |
| 2014 | 322 | 49% |
| 2013 | 140 | 21% |
| 2012 | 172 | 21% |
| 2011 | 36 | 7% |
| 2010 | 38 | 6% |
| 2009 | 18 | 5% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 33 | 6% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 19 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 2 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
109 complaintsFuel system
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsSeat belts
35 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology