Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 97V080000 (air bags). The air bag warning indicator illuminated and the contact was concerned that the air bag might deploy without warning. The vehicle was taken to ganley village Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat (2115 mentor ave, painesville, oh 44077, [phone]) where it was diagnosed, but the part was not available for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking spot and turning the steering wheel to the left, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 98V046000 (air bags). The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not part of the recall and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Bought a Jeep Wrangler and found two outstanding recalls #97v-808 and 974-194.the later one they found parts for . The airbag module they say the part is discontinued and they can't address the recall due to part unavailable. Mopar says there are parts available ??
Vehicle was driven directly into a small concrete post. Bumber was forced back causing engine and frame damage. Driver head struck windshield of vehicle. Driver (complainant) was operating vehicle in a parking lot and had not placed seat belt on at time of crash. Face went into windshield breaking windshield and compl. Nose. It was opinion of police, dealership personnel, and others that the airbag should have deployed with such a severe front end crash. Daimlerchrysler was written to and a subject met comp at dealership and took computer readings of vehicle. No analysis was given to compl except for written correspondance from daimler Chrysler (a.l. Gilbert -special investigator) that the vehicle did not strike the appropriate "crush" and "crunch" zones to operate airbag. …
I am the original owner of a 1997 Jeep Wrangler, VIN 1j4fy19s2vp52606. Recently, I turned the steering wheel fully in one direction (I don't recall if it was clockwise or counterclockwise), and heard a snap somewhere in the steering wheel or steering column. The airbag warning light came on (and has been on ever since), and the horn no longer works. I contacted Chrysler, and was told that my particular vehicle is not involved in any of the airbag recalls for the '97 Wrangler. However, it seems a bit of a coincidence that the symptoms described above match those described for the '97 Wrangler NHTSA campaign id number 98V046000 - "driver's side air bag clock spring wiring harness can break when turned to the full lock turn position" *** recall notice - "a broken clockspring will also cause the horn to become inoperative. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the driver side air bag clock spring wiring harness could break when turned to the 'full lock' turn position. The air bag warning light illuminate and cause the horn to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the vehicle was dangerous to drive and the air bag would not deploy in case of a crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 98V046000 (air bags: frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 9/25/12 updated 10/09/12
Tl contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. Weeks later, he noticed that the horn was inoperative. The dealer stated that his vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 98V046000 (air bags:frontal) in 1999; therefore, the contact had to assume financial responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 99,000. Updated 10/03/08 the vehicle was repaired at no chaarge. Updated 10/06/08.
Contacted Chrysler concerning my problems, and they stated that they cannot do anything for me. When I called about my airbags the first time, I was told I would be sent arbitration paperwork and never was. When I called back, I was told that an inspector should have gone out to look at my car before it was repaired and that it was "too late now" to do anything. I was never told that an inspector or anyone else could be involved when I first contacted Chrysler. I am furious and frustrated and need help with this serious issue.
Dt: the airbag light illuminated, and the consumer assumed that the airbag was not working. The consumer found recall information pertaining to a similar issue involving the airbag; NHTSA recall 98V046000. However, this vehicle was not included due to VIN. The vehicle has not been to a dealer for repairs. No corrections have been made. The consumer talked with a dealer who said he would need the clockspring replaced, but no repairs at this time. There were no previous problems or incidents. .
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated the air bag warning light continuously illuminated and the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired nor was the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 98V046000 (air bags: frontal). The approximate failure mileage was 97,000 and the approximate current mileage was 107,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicle. The driver's side air bag 'clock spring' wiring harness can break when turned to the 'full lock' turn position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clock spring in these air bags.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment upon vehicle ignition shut down.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
Air bags
The air bag electronic control module (aecm) software contains an error which can delay the air bag deployment in certain crash situations.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module on these vehicles.
Airbag complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 11% of the model year's 401 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-046 (frontal, Mar 10, 1998); NHTSA recall 97V-080 (sensor/control module-inactive, May 16, 1997); NHTSA recall 96V-060 (air bags, Apr 8, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Wrangler airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries and 3 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.