1997 Jeep Wrangler Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 14%of 401 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,314miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the 401 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,314 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I experienced sudden acceleration when at a complete stop with foot on break. Throttle went very high and propelled car forwarded even when pushing the breaks penal down as hard as I could. There is no way I pushed down on the wrong pedal. The breaks could not hold the car stopped. This is extremely dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #11375015, filed 2020-11, 190,000 miles“Fuel guache govea inaccurate reading and drops to empty when the tank is half full. Contacted the local Jeep dealer twice on having this part replaced and each time they tell me they will call me back but they have not.”
NHTSA complaint #11399440, filed 2021-03, 180,000 miles“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“My 1997 Jeep Wrangler sputters when I touch the gas from neutral to first to second...the engine doesnt cut off, I just lose all power and then it catches...had filters, plugs, and wires all replaced..this is very dangerous..other owners have similar problems yet the manufacturer has made no attempt to remedy this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10008263, filed 2003-02, 69,000 miles“My vehicle has run rough, idling rough, bucking , losing coolant and dripping from the tailpipe about a week after the extended warranty expired. I have had major valve train problems and had to have the camshaft replaced along with the gasket, cylinder head, core return, radiator and now the latest is oil pressure gauge sending unit. Oil pressure still showing zero even after replacing sending unit!”
NHTSA complaint #10060716, filed 2004-03, 73,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% |
| 2025 | 24 | 33% |
| 2024 | 195 | 26% |
| 2023 | 67 | 18% |
| 2022 | 73 | 18% |
| 2021 | 142 | 15% |
| 2020 | 43 | 7% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 21 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 5% |
| 2016 | 14 | 3% |
| 2015 | 15 | 3% |
| 2014 | 19 | 3% |
| 2013 | 33 | 5% |
| 2012 | 45 | 5% |
| 2011 | 99 | 20% |
| 2010 | 228 | 33% |
| 2009 | 80 | 22% |
| 2008 | 140 | 16% |
| 2007 | 114 | 20% |
| 2006 | 479 | 66% |
| 2005 | 448 | 69% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 3% |
| 1998 | 20 | 8% |
| 1997 | 58 | 14% |
| 1995 | 13 | 6% |
| 1994 | 38 | 25% |
| 1993 | 32 | 30% |
| 1992 | 25 | 32% |
| 1991 | 18 | 24% |
| 1990 | 20 | 25% |
| 1989 | 19 | 31% |
| 1988 | 16 | 32% |
| 1987 | 14 | 37% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
109 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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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