Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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!
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. The issue with the rough idle and loss of power still persists after the engine warms up. After reading all of the complaints, this seems to be a recurring issue with this model. Really don't want to waste money trying to guess at what is the issue. …
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.
I bought my 1997 Jeep Wrangler in June, 2002 from a used car dealer in baltimore, md with an as-is warranty and was told the vehicle had passed inspection and was in good condition. It had 64,000 miles on it and appeared to be good. Since then I have had nothing but problems with this Jeep. First the wiring harness, then the transmission, now a diagnosis to replace the intake and exhaust manifold, replaced fuel pump and has a faulty fuel gauge, and possibly the stabilizer bar or steering components. This Jeep is costing me more in repairs than the actual value of it. I fear that it is unsafe and that I m facing more expenses if I keep it, but I am still making payments on it. Do I have any recourse as far as lemon law protection, recalls, help!!! I don't know what to do with it.
I have a 97 Jeep Wrangler. I have a problem everytime I start my Jeep after it sits for 20 min. It sounds like it wants to shut down and after pressing the gas to the floor it finally kicks in and takes off. I lose power alot and it backfires . I have had the exhaust manifold /catalytic converter replaced and a broken stud in the exhaust manifold to head assembly. This has been going on for 3 years and I have taken it to several differnt Jeep service department. All the service departments can tell me is that they can't find the problem but they always seem to find something else for me to pay for . I'm still having this problem and now it's getting worse . What can I do? Please help.
I have talked to several dealerships and I have been told my Jeep was not made on the right date under the recall. I have had a problem with the gage/sending unit for the last (almost) three years. I do not understand why my Jeep is not covered when so many more are with the same problem. My gage sometimes does not show empty when it is and sometimes showes empty 100 miles into the full tank. I have talked to seval other Jeep owners and some of them have experienced the same problem. Yet, the dealerships say even though some jeeps are covered under the recall others are not. Crazy!
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.
I bought this 1997 Jeep Wrangler from a used car dealer in June 2002 with a limited warranty and was told the vehicle pased inspection and had no problems. Since then I have had to have the wiring harness repaired, the fuel pump replaced, the transmission replaced, it has a faulty fuel gauge reading, the intake and exhaust manifold need to be replaced and now the steering linkage or stabilizer bars are faulty.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. After parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that gasoline was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the fuel tank sending unit gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 159,000.
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!
Fuel System complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 14% of the model year's 401 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Wrangler fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Jeep Wrangler fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.