1997 Jeep Wrangler Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 9%of 401 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 9% of the 401 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 4 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.
“Front seat belts come unlatched randomly. Seat belts are fastened, the audible click is heard, then randomly, will come unlatched without provocation or warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10018341, filed 2003-05, 56,000 miles“Right from shoulder harness is loose and gets caught in the door latch when the door is closed causing a hole to be torn in the webbing of the harness.”
NHTSA complaint #10045717, filed 2003-11, 55,000 miles“The seatbelts in my car do not fasten properly. There is a gap, next to the clip, that it gets stuck in due to its bad design. For fear of failure, in the event of an accident, I am replacing all of them.”
NHTSA complaint #10133825, filed 2005-08“The problem is with both driver's and front passenger's seat belts. They do not retract properly and therefore become caught in the door latch. This has caused multiple nicks and abrasions in the belt. I had spoken to the dealer about this and they replaced one of the belts while the vehicle was under warrantee. My concern is that the belt will fail in an accident. I have not followed up with the manufacturer or dealer since. I would like you to investigate and, if this is a real danger, encourage the manufacturer to correct. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #735067, filed 2000-10“I have only included the one date I can remember that Jeep was in the repair shop. But, to this date, after Jeep warms up and then is shut off for approx 20 minutes, it hesitates on acceleration. Dealer said couldnt duplicate problem. Oil gauge dropped to zero, then engine knocked & I shut off. Dealer said oil pressure ok, could not duplicate prob. It still drops below 20 sometimes, but not zero again. I have had manifold bolts replaced twice and catalytic converter replaced once. Water leaks on passenger side & drivers seat belt gets caught in door latch.”
NHTSA complaint #720207, filed 2000-03Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 4 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 9 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 | 9 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 10 | 1% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 1% |
| 2006 | 3 | 0% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 5 | 5% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 15 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 17 | 6% |
| 1997 | 35 | 9% |
| 1995 | 15 | 7% |
| 1994 | 16 | 11% |
| 1993 | 13 | 12% |
| 1992 | 9 | 12% |
| 1991 | 11 | 14% |
| 1990 | 6 | 8% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 8% |
| 1987 | 7 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
109 complaintsFuel system
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
53 complaintsAir bags
46 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 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