1997 Jeep Wrangler Standard from North America - Comments

Radiator, cylinder heads, rust on mirrors, plugs, suspension.

I love this car……EXCEPT, in the last year alone I have had countless problems and dealt with hideously rude customer service staff at Daimler/Chrysler. I would like to organize a petition against this company because of their terrible service and less that "Jeep-like" manufacturing quality. Have you had problems with your 1997 Jeep Wrangler – in particular, parts like transmissions, cylinders and radiators (i.e., parts that should never need to be replaced on a car less than 10 years old)? Please e-mail problemjeeps97@yahoo.com. If you know of any other people, give them this address. THANKS.

The Jeep Wrangler is a very off-road capable vehicle, but once it reached 60,000 miles its been a money pit! With that said you still cannot find a vehicle more off-road capable for the money. I have driven it through lakes with the interior almost sum-merged, jumped a dirt mound dukes of hazard style, and finally ran a mud hole that a full size blazer on 38" mud tires got stuck in. Just make sure you sell it before 60,000 miles, unless you want to learn how to replace all major vehicle components-head, exhaust manifold, radiator, rear end, transmission, water pump, pulleys, power steering, clutch, all gears, but 4th, the entire ignition system, and deal with wipers that don't turn off, and a couple of catalytic converters.

Bought my 97 Wrangler with 52,000 miles on it from a private owner three years ago.

Today it has 85,000 and I've replaced two catalytic converters, one water pump, the serpentine belt,

and now an entire engine. I don't think I'll replace this one with another jeep.

I'd like for the owner to realize that his own actions can cause many failures. For someone who likes to jump dirt piles "Dukes of Hazard style" I would say that you need to figure you can't do that and expect your jeep to hold up. off roading in jeeps is meant to be more of a slow process which requires using your head and developing skill in stead of jumping off cliffs and launching over dirt piles at 20+ mph. I have owned 3 jeeps (1 wrangler and 2 cherokees, still have one of the cherokees) and will be buying another wrangler in less than a month. Mine haven't let me down and they go on emergency responses all the time. Bottom line not even a humvee holds up to as much abuse as you've given your jeep. Cheers!

"less that "Jeep-like" manufacturing quality" I have owned

Jeeps for the last 20 years, and I am totally confused by

the this statement. Jeep has never had manufacturing quality

it is a Jeep thing, deal with it.

In this fast paced world it is good to see that I can still

depend on Jeep to maintain their hard (on the owner) earned

reputation.

I have a 1997 jeep wrangler and it has 112,000 miles on it and I off road it at least 2-3 times a week and owned it 5 years and had no problems at all. changed gears not because I had to be cause I wanted to. I would have to say one of the best investments of my life and buying another one and would never sell my 1997.

1997 SE Auto 313k and counting. gas bill is the only thing I hate about it.. Changed the normal things you would after that many miles, but it has seen the coast line from mMain in to Mexico and up to Washington many times! Love the thing. Once it dies I will buy another! take care of your car and it will take care of you! If you want a comfy quiet ride buy a Honda! If you want something you can go damn near anywhere buy a jeep!

I have a Jeep Sahara 1997 with 130k miles. It seems like is getting overheated after driving at 74miles/hour.

I've already changed the water pumps, thermostat valve, the coolant sensor, the fan clutch, and it still is overheating.

I took to the dealer, and they found a internal problem with the radiator, saying that is the plug from some vents, and it will require me to get a new one. Besides this problem, could there there something else causing the overheating? Before I buy a new radiator, I would like to check on it. I don't want to buy the radiator and have the same problem.

Please feed me back.

For the overheating Jeep, try getting the cooling system pressure flushed. After 10 years/130k miles, it probably has rust and scale built up in the radiator passages, and could be closing off some internal water passages, reducing circulation. Also, get an air hose and blow out any dirt or chaff from the radiator cooling fins, or from the fins of the AC condenser in front.