Model year guide

1997 Jeep wrangler

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Jeep wrangler is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 11 on record.

1997 Jeep wrangler at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints455
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$6,145

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Jeep wrangler recalls 7

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #06E022000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WH…

Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #06E011000 · 01/02/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #04E041000 · 07/06/2004

BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROO…

Fix: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #96V060000 · 08/04/1996

THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (AECM) SOFTWARE CONTAINS AN ERROR WHICH CAN DELAY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN CRASH SITUATIONS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ON THESE VEHICLES.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #98V046000 · 10/03/1998

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THESE AIR BAGS.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #97V080000 · 16/05/1997

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DESIGN ALLOWS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON VEHICLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Jeep wrangler common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 455 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1997 Jeep wrangler MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,800

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1997 Jeep wrangler worth?

Low
$3,000
Typical price
$6,145
High
$9,500

From 11 comparable 1997 Jeep wrangler listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Jeep wrangler costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,000
Fuel only$19,000
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Jeep wrangler trims & engines on record

Trims
SE/TJ · 4x4 4c se · 4x4 6c sport · Sahara/TJ · Sport/TJ
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl

1997 Jeep wrangler vehicles on record

1997 Jeep wrangler 4x4 6c sport1J4FY19S4VP511734 1997 Jeep wrangler 4x4 4c se1J4FY29P8VP463995 1997 Jeep wrangler 1997 Jeep wrangler 4x4 4c se1J4FY29PXVP543606 1997 Jeep wrangler 4x4 4c se1J4FY29P2VP421774 1997 Jeep wrangler 4x4 6c sport1J4FY19S4VP507344 1997 Jeep wrangler SE/TJ1J4FY29P5VP453019 1997 Jeep wrangler Sahara/TJ1J4FY49S8VP520275 1997 Jeep wrangler 1997 Jeep wrangler SE/TJ1J4FY29P2VP451194 1997 Jeep wrangler 1997 Jeep wrangler SE/TJ1J4FY29P8VP538355 1997 Jeep wrangler 1997 Jeep wrangler Sport/TJ1J4FY19S5VP472703 1997 Jeep wrangler SE/TJ1J4FY29P3VP410332

Other Jeep wrangler model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1989 1988 1987

1997 Jeep wrangler — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Jeep wrangler have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 1997 Jeep wrangler. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Jeep wrangler?

Based on 455 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, suspension, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Jeep wrangler get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Jeep wrangler at about 16 mpg combined (15 city / 18 highway).

How much is a 1997 Jeep wrangler worth?

Comparable 1997 Jeep wrangler listings run roughly $3,000–$9,500, typically around $6,145 (from 11 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.