1997 Jeep Wrangler Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 4%of 401 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 4% of the 401 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have taken care of this Jeep covering every speck of rust as soon as I seen it and today while cleaning the underside of the Jeep I found a rust hole in the frame. From the outside it looks brand new. After examination I found the entire frame has rusted out form the inside out and was full of chunks of metal. I believe this to be a massive safety hazard that Jeep designed a frame that holds water and salt and will rust out without the owner even knowing how dangerous it is to drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11065553, filed 2018-01, 140,000 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“Hello, we have a black paint job. We know this part is not a safety feature , but by aug. ,sept. The paint will be pilling off!!! Cracking really bad!!! We are the original owners. Have had old amc jeeps , never any problems !! Rust maybe because we had our 82 Jeep from the very beginning. The other problem we have is the check engine light comes on when the fuel changes in pgh. Per season!!! Now there is a clunk in the rear housing, with our 4-wheel drive we have limited slip. We are thinking of selling by oct. ,Jeep better be wary of lost sales.”
NHTSA complaint #10069691, filed 2004-01, 46,612 miles“The frame is rusting around the rear control arm mounts , I have seen others rust in the same place in person and on the internet. There are even companies that make repairs for this problem like safe-t-cap. The rust on mine is bad enough that it will not pass state inspection without being repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10855305, filed 2016-04, 230,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716094, filed 2015-05, 95,440 milesOther or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% |
| 2025 | 13 | 18% |
| 2024 | 129 | 17% |
| 2023 | 58 | 16% |
| 2022 | 65 | 16% |
| 2021 | 134 | 14% |
| 2020 | 59 | 10% |
| 2019 | 64 | 9% |
| 2018 | 213 | 12% |
| 2017 | 40 | 13% |
| 2016 | 57 | 12% |
| 2015 | 60 | 13% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 74 | 11% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 33 | 7% |
| 2010 | 42 | 6% |
| 2009 | 19 | 5% |
| 2008 | 39 | 4% |
| 2007 | 21 | 4% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 11 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 9 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 6% |
| 1997 | 15 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
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 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