Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. Ultimately if it had completely let go on the highway the rear driveshaft would have locked up and locked the rear wheels causing uncontrolled skid, or the driveshaft would break causing danger to the passengers.
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 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.
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!
While traveling on the highway without prior warning the vehicle shut down. The gauges malfunctioned (gas read empty), the vehicle jerked uncontrollably. Different mechanics were unable to duplicate the problem. The transmission leaked (there was pink fluid in the battery area), the belt pulley had fallen off and the vehicle overheated, and the battery failed.
Exhaust manifold cracked 6/21/01, local Jeep dealer had no recall, not under warranty. I was in the process of finding a better aftermarket replacement manifold when on 7/19/01,while stopped w/ engine running, the plastic hydraulic line for the clutch melted from the excessive heat, and caught on fire.
On 09/07/99 as my Jeep Wrangler was parked in the parking lot of my bank it proceeded to roll backwards out of the parking lot, across a busy street, and into a canal ( ditch). It landed on its right side and was submersed. It took two tow trucks and 3 hours to pull it out. Once at the Jeep dealership they investigated to see what had happened. They came to the conclusion that it was the gear shift ( which had been in the parked position) but never gave any specifics. My insurance and I ended up paying a total of about $9,000 dollars. The repairs took a month and a half, in which my insurance paid for a rental car. When I asked about having the powertrain investigated by an outside mechanic they offered to "sell" it to me for $1000 dollars. I filed a complaint with the manufacturer shortly thereafter, and never to this day have received a reply. …
I was exiting the highway and starting to slow for the merge at the end of the ramp. I was in fifth gear and downshifting into fourth, when I found I could no longer shift. The shifter got stuck in neutral. Luckily there was little traffic and the light just after the merge was green or I would no have been able to pull over. I would have been stuck in the middle of the road and possibly would have caused an accident. It could have also happend on the highway with worse possibilities. The Jeep has been used only as a car. No off-roading or towing. The transmission was also maintained as per manufacturer recommendation. I have that documentation if needed.
Instrument panel: all instrument panel gauges are driven by a microprocessor, such that it tells the panel what the gauges should read. When the instrument panel cpu fails, all gauges; fuel/temp/oil/volt and tachometer, speedometer an d odometer) fail simultaneously. This is disconcerting at best, highly dangerous (say if one were on a freeway) at worst. Also, transmission: the 5-speed transmission used with the 4.0l has major problems shifting into second when cold. Jeep's answer for years has been "they all do that" yet they have continued to use the same transmission and have no fixed for the problem to this date.
Whike driving at 65mph on interstate transfer case came apart and front driveshaft fell out. When this happened the airbags deployed,windshield wipers came on, washer squirted, dash lights came on. The passenger air bag busted the windshield, and the face of the passenger. Her jaw is broken in three places and her four upper teeth were removed from their sockets. She required extensive reconstructive surgery, and is still in the hospital. Noothers objects or vehicles were involved. The driver beat the airbag down and safely parked the car in the median. Why did airbags deploy and with such force?
Transmission complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler, 13% of the model year's 401 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.