48 of the
548 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler are about the
airbag system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
98,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V080000 (AIR BAGS). THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GANLEY VILLAGE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (2115 MENTOR AVE, PAINESVILLE, OH 44077, (440) 354-4358) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 196,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11281599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,728 milesLittle River, SC
AIR BAGS
BOUGHT A JEEP WRANGLER AND FOUND TWO OUTSTANDING RECALLS #97V-808 AND 974-194.THE LATER ONE THEY FOUND PARTS FOR . THE AIRBAG MODULE THEY SAY THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND THEY CAN'T ADDRESS THE RECALL DUE TO PART UNAVAILABLE. MOPAR SAYS THERE ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ??
NHTSA complaint #11063569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesTrail Creek, IN
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #11015127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin, MD
AIR BAGS
1997 JEEP WRANGLER CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR HELP WITH A RECALL ON CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. VIN IS NOT LISTED ON RECALL BUT SAME PROBLEM EXIST
NHTSA complaint #10654395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesFrederick, MD
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10534216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesRolling Hills, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS COULD BREAK WHEN TURNED TO THE 'FULL LOCK' TURN POSITION. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND CAUSE THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 9/25/12 *CN UPDATED 10/09/12
NHTSA complaint #10474483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesRolling Hills, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS COULD BREAK WHEN TURNED TO THE 'FULL LOCK' TURN POSITION. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND CAUSE THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V046000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 9/25/12 *CN UPDATED 10/09/12
NHTSA complaint #10474483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,295 milesMalakoff, TX
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HORN DOESN'T WORK AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SHOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10418187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,077 milesPalmdale, CA
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY THE STEERING COLUMN CLOCK SPRING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $385. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,194 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,077.
NHTSA complaint #10277164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesLexington, KY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. WEEKS LATER, HE NOTICED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V046000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) IN 1999; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHAARGE. UPDATED 10/06/08.
NHTSA complaint #10241313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS
DT: THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER FOUND RECALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A SIMILAR ISSUE INVOLVING THE AIRBAG; NHTSA RECALL 98V046000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CONSUMER TALKED WITH A DEALER WHO SAID HE WOULD NEED THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR INCIDENTS. *SC .
NHTSA complaint #10138549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesLittleton, CO
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#98V046000 REGARDING THE CLOCKSPRING; THE HORN FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE, BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10112941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,900 milesSchererville, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER, VIN 1J4FY19S2VP52606. RECENTLY, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY IN ONE DIRECTION (I DON'T RECALL IF IT WAS CLOCKWISE OR COUNTERCLOCKWISE), AND HEARD A SNAP SOMEWHERE IN THE STEERING WHEEL OR STEERING COLUMN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (AND HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE), AND THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS. *AK I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE AIRBAG RECALLS FOR THE '97 WRANGLER. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS A BIT OF A COINCIDENCE THAT THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ABOVE MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED FOR THE '97 WRANGLER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V046000 - "DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS CAN BREAK WHEN TURNED TO THE FULL LOCK TURN POSITION" *** RECALL NOTICE - "A BROKEN CLOCKSPRING WILL ALSO CAUSE THE HORN TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL STAY ON IF THE CLOCKSPRING BREAKS." THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY STILL AVAILABLE, BUT I HESITATE WAITING VERY LONG BEFORE HAVING THIS BROKEN PART REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10067698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cochranville, PA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OH
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC STATED CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, ADVISED CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL98V046000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8007222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angelas, CA
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICL CLOCK SPRIING BROKE, AND HORN MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO A SMALL CONCRETE POST. BUMBER WAS FORCED BACK CAUSING ENGINE AND FRAME DAMAGE. DRIVER HEAD STRUCK WINDSHIELD OF VEHICLE. DRIVER (COMPLAINANT) WAS OPERATING VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD NOT PLACED SEAT BELT ON AT TIME OF CRASH. FACE WENT INTO WINDSHIELD BREAKING WINDSHIELD AND COMPL. NOSE. IT WAS OPINION OF POLICE, DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL, AND OTHERS THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH SUCH A SEVERE FRONT END CRASH. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WAS WRITTEN TO AND A SUBJECT MET COMP AT DEALERSHIP AND TOOK COMPUTER READINGS OF VEHICLE. NO ANALYSIS WAS GIVEN TO COMPL EXCEPT FOR WRITTEN CORRESPONDANCE FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER (A.L. GILBERT -SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR) THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STRIKE THE APPROPRIATE "CRUSH" AND "CRUNCH" ZONES TO OPERATE AIRBAG. WE CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A FRONT END IMPACT INTO A POLE WITH 8000 DAMAGE AND THE DRIVERS FACE HITTING AND BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT ENOUGH OF AN IMPACT TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. WE HAVE WRITTEN DAIMLERCHRYSLER TWICE ASKING FOR THE READINGS FROM THE COMPUTER AND NO ONE WILL RESPOND. WE ALSO STILL DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF ANOTHER ACCIDENT OCCURS WITH THE FRONT END. WE WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN OTHER JEEP OWNERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AS TO HOPE AND REMEDY A POSSIBLE FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING ON JEEP PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #750531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steele, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHTILE DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS A VEHICLE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF CONSUMER CAUSING A COLLISION, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT HOLD, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #890659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, WICrash2 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING VEHICLE COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON IMPACT,MOTORCYCLE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STRUCK THE JEEP HEAD-ON, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, INJURY TO CONSUMERS.
NHTSA complaint #781258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Walton Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
INTERMITTENTLY, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT CLOCK SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V046000, AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE SLID ON ICE/ LOST CONTROL, AND HIT A BOULDER HEAD-ON. THEN ROLLED OVER. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #856548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, 00Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 56 MPH HE THER WAS A FRONTAL CRASH AND VEHICLE WENT IN INTO A WALL, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #853935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THIS VEHICLE SWERVED AND LOST CONTROL, WENT INTO A DITCH FRONT FIRST AND FLIPPED OVER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTALED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #845170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, GA1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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?
NHTSA complaint #707609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONTACTED CHRYSLER CONCERNING MY PROBLEMS, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT MY AIRBAGS THE FIRST TIME, I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE SENT ARBITRATION PAPERWORK AND NEVER WAS. WHEN I CALLED BACK, I WAS TOLD THAT AN INSPECTOR SHOULD HAVE GONE OUT TO LOOK AT MY CAR BEFORE IT WAS REPAIRED AND THAT IT WAS "TOO LATE NOW" TO DO ANYTHING. I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT AN INSPECTOR OR ANYONE ELSE COULD BE INVOLVED WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED CHRYSLER. I AM FURIOUS AND FRUSTRATED AND NEED HELP WITH THIS SERIOUS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #705915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Idaho Falls, ID
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DIFFICULTY HAVING AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER. (97V-080)
NHTSA complaint #523156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayonne, NJ
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AT 9773 MILES AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL GAUGES INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER SHOWED ZERO. WHEN VEHICLE HITS BUMP WHILE DRIVING, GAGUES COME BACK ONLY TO EVENTUALLY READ ZERO AGAIN. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE JULY 1998 AND DEALER CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALER 8 TIMES SINCE INITIAL PROBLEM, AND STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM AS OF APRIL 1999. NEED SOME ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE DEALER IS NO HELP AT ALL. EVERYTIME THEY FIX PROBLEM, HAPPENS A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #705213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING FRONT END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #544224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, ILCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RON FORD REPORTS THAT THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE GOES STRAIGHT AHEAD WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. DEALER CONTACTED, AND NO ATTEMPTS MADE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, HIT A BOULDER, AT 35-40 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDED FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #835052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Howell, MICrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO DITCH NOSE FIRST, ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #703123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.