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Exterior lightingPart report

1997 Jeep Wrangler Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 401 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 1% of the 401 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 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.

“Sirs, I have some general concerns, and could not find another area on the web site to address them: I can not understand why the same lights that mark brake use, also mark turning. When someone is tapping brakes and has turn signals on, it is unclear what their intention is. I also do not understand why we have running lights on all the time. I have to dim my rear view mirror to avoid being distracted by these lights, which defeats the purpose of these lights.”

NHTSA complaint #745832, filed 2001-05

“Drivers seat belt comes undone at any speed every time you drive it - a few times each time you drive it, rear center mounted tail light does not work, tailgate hinges are extrremely difficult to shut causing the tailgate to not be closed properly all the time, front turn signal sometimes does not work, especially if it is wet out- dealer notified and was told that they cannot replace the socket (not a stock item), the bulbs are fine in the brake light and turn signal.”

NHTSA complaint #749386, filed 2001-07

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202441%
202310%
202261%
202161%
202091%
201920%
201890%
201752%
201631%
201541%
201461%
2013102%
2012213%
201182%
2010254%
200992%
2008202%
200781%
200551%
200421%
200322%
200211%
200111%
200021%
199942%
199852%
199751%
199584%
199411%
199311%
199111%
198912%

Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler

Engine cooling
109 complaints
Fuel system
58 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
53 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Seat belts
35 complaints
Steering
31 complaints
Body and structure
29 complaints
Brakes
27 complaints
Suspension
27 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Electrical 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 31, 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