1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ, and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1997
- 1999
- 2000
- 2003
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 150,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 8 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“NHTSA 14720-02-v-041-000 parking brake: on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the parking brake can release without warning: consumer states about having problem on apr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 31, 2002 · Service brakes, hydraulic
“Horn beeps on its own, caused by a short in wiring or relay box. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 12, 1998 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler (Wrangler 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–17 / 16–19 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.5/4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (L3); Manual 5-spd |
Compare Jeep Wrangler YJ model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Wrangler YJ model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ | 0 | 10 |
| 1999 Jeep Wrangler YJ | 0 | 4 |
| 2000 Jeep Wrangler YJ | 0 | 5 |
| 2003 Jeep Wrangler YJ | 0 | 4 |
Checking a specific 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ
How do I know if my 1997 Jeep Wrangler YJ has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jeep dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Jeep models
- Grand Cherokee29,093 complaints
- Wrangler15,984 complaints
- Cherokee14,838 complaints
- Liberty8,881 complaints
- Compass3,705 complaints
- Patriot2,790 complaints
- Commander2,752 complaints
- Renegade2,202 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.