1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport from North America - Comments

A transmission seal was not installed causing a leak 2 days after I took delivery.

Less than a year after delivery the 19 gallon gas tank was replaced due to it leaking.

Water dripped into the passenger compartment when the air conditioning was used. The dealer had no explanation for it and 3 years later I figured out it was the A/C evaporator and fixed the problem myself.

The manifold broke... after warranty of course.

The catalytic converter broke... after warranty of course.

Half the lights on the radio and the climate control panel have gone out.

The transmission rattles in the 3rd gear. Dealer unable to locate problem.

The steering gearbox (located under the front bumper on the driver's side) seeps grease.

The plastic fender flares have faded horribly taking them from black to an ugly bluish-grey. Nothing I tried could save them. And nothing I've tried can restore them.

The radiator has leaked for over a year (again warranty gone). It appeared to be the seal around the top of it so I tried a simple fix, but to no avail. It leaks worse and I'm in the process of hunting a new radiator.

The driver's seat tilt mechanism no longer works.

Soft window zippers separate.

Rear frame of back window continually falls apart and a few pieces have broken.

A seal broke on the right rear wheel causing the brake to lock up when ever I came to a sudden stop.

Hmmm... that should about do it so far.

I bought a 1997 Jeep for the same reason everyone does: it's a cool vehicle with a tough reputation. In other words, I bit into the hype.

It is tough as nails on and off the road. But sadly, it isn't reliable. I'm afraid to go too far into the backwoods because who knows what could break next?

I have a theory. The 1997 Jeep seems to have a lot of problems. I chalk this up to the fact that 97 was a transition year for the Wrangler. In 1995 they stopped making the YJ Wrangler and reintroduced the Wrangler as the TJ in 1997. The TJ was moderately redesigned inside and out.

Well, my Wrangler happened to be one during the first year. Like any new product, it has a ton of bugs. As to whether or not Jeep has addressed these issues and the 2002 Wranglers are "perfect" is yet to be seen.

I am hesitant to give up on Jeep though. As mad as I have gotten, I still have a place in my heart for the Wrangler. And it is the perfect vehicle for my life and my line of work. Small, tough, "go anywhere", and powerful.

So who knows if another Wrangler is in my future?

I am the owner of a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. I am currently experiencing separation of both driver and passenger side window zippers.

Is this a common occurrence? What can be done to fix it, aside from replacement?

Jen@gardenguy.com.

I have a 1997 Jeep wrangler and am very happy with it. Part of buying a jeep is the understanding of the problems that WILL happen. Window zippers can be treated with silicone spray to make them slide easier and then prolong their lifespan. The fender flares are very treatable. When I purchased my jeep, I also had a light gray fender. I used brake cleaner to get rid of the oxidation on them (a lot of scrubbing was required) and then I used a product called Aerospace cleaner with UV protection made by 303. It brought back its original luster and shine and they look better than new. As for the catalytic converter. It happens to be an ongoing problem on the 1997 because I replaced mine as well as my brothers.

I have a 98 jeep wrangler. This is my 2nd 98 jeep wrangler. Besides from the zipper windows, being a peace, and the power steering going out, on the first one (it was a four cylinder) I loved it. But it got stolen, when this happened I was so mad, I lost all, my corm that was on it. (head light covers, bumpers,mirrors, door hinges). But, the insurance paid for most. Now I have a 98 jeep wrangler with roll up windows and a hard top (yes I learned my lesson no more zippers) this one has the 4.0 in it. An, it has gave me no problems (thank god) I flew to Miami from Atlanta to get it. The only thing I hate about jeeps is the fact that if you don't keep the hoods locked with an after market lock then someone may steal it or strip it. Besides this I love them.

Nope, it's not just a 1997 issue. I have a 2000 and it is in the shop every couple months and they want me to sink a few hundred dollars into it. It has 40,000 miles on it. It barely made it through the warranty period. I have followed the maintenance specifically.

I don't call sinking hundreds of dollars into a fairly new car just outside of warranty "fun". Maybe breakdowns are a Jeep thing. Seems like all Chrysler makes is crap that breaks down.

I wouldn't buy one again. They're garbage.

I just bought a 2006 Wrangler. Sport model with solid rear Dana axles upgrade, Automatic, Both tops, A/C, Everything the Rubicon has except the lockers and off-road tires, which wear out if your on the road anyway. Brakes are crap, in shop now for rotors, loud in third gear, poor on gas, etc...

I've got a 1997 Jeep, and yes I've had problems with it, but I just can't seem to get rid of it. Like someone said before, for me, it's absolutely perfect. It's my dream car. And the stuff that's gone wrong, I've fixed some of it myself, which is great because it's cheaper, and it's taught me some stuff about automotive maintenance (since you can basically take apart the entire Jeep with a screwdriver and an Allen wrench).

However, every three months or so, something big breaks down on it, and I've got to take it into the shop. Hopefully, it happens when I'm at my parents ranch, and we can take it to the shade-tree mechanic down the road (I think I've put his kids through college with all the work I've given him) but most of the time I have to bite the bullet and take it to the dealership, where they love to tell me what's wrong with it.

I had my converter changed out too, but it was part of the warranty. I've had my radiator changed, changed out the starter myself, and have swapped out more O2 sensors than I care to remember. I've had an exhaust leak for years, and my four wheel drive is broken at the moment. I always thought it was because I'm hard on vehicles (which I am) but now that I read everyone else's problems, it makes me think that maybe it does have something to do with 1997 being a transition year for the Wrangler.

That being said, my Jeep has taken a lot of abuse, and kept on going. I've been in three major accidents, with major damage to the other car, and barely a scratch on my Jeep. I can honestly say this Jeep has saved my life on more than one occasion, and I don't think I'd get rid of it, no matter what. Buy another car? Sure, but I still wouldn't get rid of my Jeep.

Besides, whose going to buy a 10 year old Jeep with over 150,000 miles on it?

I have a 1997 TJ Sport, as to be expected with a ten year old vehicle there are and have been problems. I have replaced the rear end twice, the radiator due to crack in the plastic top (got an all aluminum one to replace), water pump, full soft top, tires of course from stock all the way to 33's on the stock height. It has been wrecked twice, once a fender bender and once a city cop plowed it pretty good.

I love my Jeep, I will bend time and space to keep it, I wish I still had my 79 CJ5. Face it people, a Jeep is a lifestyle not a status symbol. Your gonna get a little dirty and if you are worthy of the name that vehicle wears then you had better get to know the inner workings of that icon. It is not a car and it is not a truck... for the love of god it's a Jeep. If you want to understand what that means then read up on it and watch a few films on the subject. Jeep is the word derived from GP which stood for General Purpose... not super comfortable never breakdown mobile.

Love your Jeep!

Just a tip for the soft top windows.

Try taking a pair of pliers to the zipper part that the moves and squeeze the "wings" just a bit. Try it and see if it helps, if not, give it a bit more.

Thank you to all you great people out there who have just informed me of making the wrong decision about buying a Jeep... I've had a Sierra all my life, and it's annoying. I just love the look of the Jeep, but won't go near one now!!!

I've got a '95 Wrangler with the 4.0 liter 6.

141,000 miles, one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned.

"I've got a '95 Wrangler with the 4.0 liter 6.

141,000 miles, one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned."

Jeeps are a labor of love. They are very fun vehicles to own, when they are working. But in the reliability department, they don't fair so well. When it comes to off-roading, Jeeps are king, followed by Toyota's original 4 Runner. I'm not a huge SUV fan, nor am I a big fan of domestic vehicles. 141,000 miles isn't that much in my book. My first car was a Honda Civic that had 400,000 miles on it when I bought it. Sold it with 515,000 miles and it still ran perfect. Had the original engine and transmission by the way.

18:24 says - "141,000 miles isn't that much in my book" and that "Jeeps don't fare so well" (in reliability).

Good for you, that you had a great experience with a Honda, but don't tell me how reliable Jeep Wranglers are.

I've owned a number of them and in my opinion the AMC designed YJ Wrangler when equipped with the 4.0 liter inline six, is one of the most reliable SUVs ever.

I'm not talking about the newer ones that Chrysler ruined, I'm talking about the old YJ Wrangler.

And as far as 141,000 miles not being very much, well we also owned a Lexus RX300, and over the past 3 years, I spent exactly zero on repairs the my Wrangler, while we spent over $3,000 on repairs to the Lexus during that same time.

Again, good for you that you had an excellent Honda, but don't tell me that my Jeep is not reliable dude!