32 of the 548 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler are about the steering — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,798 miles.
32
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH FROM CONTROL ARM TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BRAKING ABILITY BECAME DIFFICULT AND HARD TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint #10664067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP ON A PUBLIC ROAD GOING ABOUT 45, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10618040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VIOLENT WOBBLING OF FRONT OF JEEP , IT COMES AND GOES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND YOU MUST COME TO A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE . I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AS THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO REPAIR. IN MY OPINION IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10572544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE VEHICLE USED AS PERSONAL AUTO, NON RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, IN MORMAL CITY DRIVEING CONDITIONS. SPEED 50 TO 55 MPH, I PASSED OVER A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT, AN UNDAMPED OSCELATION WAS INITATED IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLABLE AT ALL SPEEDS. I WAS ALBLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE AND STOP WITHOUT FURTHER INCEDNET. INVESTITAGION OF THE STEERING COMPONENTS IDENTIFED EXCEVE WEAR ON FRONT END TIE RODS AND STEARING DAMPER. THE CAR IS A 97 JEEP TJ WITH 35000 MILES .
NHTSA complaint #10082993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
I BOUGHT MY 1997 JEEP WRANGLER IN JUNE, 2002 FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN BALTIMORE, MD WITH AN AS-IS WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD PASSED INSPECTION AND WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. IT HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT AND APPEARED TO BE GOOD. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS JEEP. FIRST THE WIRING HARNESS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION, NOW A DIAGNOSIS TO REPLACE THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD, REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND HAS A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, AND POSSIBLY THE STABILIZER BAR OR STEERING COMPONENTS. THIS JEEP IS COSTING ME MORE IN REPAIRS THAN THE ACTUAL VALUE OF IT. I FEAR THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT I M FACING MORE EXPENSES IF I KEEP IT, BUT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AS FAR AS LEMON LAW PROTECTION, RECALLS, HELP!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10023888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING RAN OVER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THE POWER STEERING RESOVOIR WAS POORLY DESIGNED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #762970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD @ PIPE UNION ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE. ALSO, POWER STEERING FLUID LEEKAGE FROM STEERING GEAR BOX REQUIRES COMPLETE STEERING GEARBOX REPLACEMENT @ COST OF $1350 ON CAR W/ 49,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #745693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
AFTER TOLERATING BOTH PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME (POOR STARTING AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID), I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE AND, THAT IN HIS OPINION, NEITHER SHOULD BE HAPPENING AT THE LOW MILES I HAVE ON THE VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO PUT MORE THAN A MINIMAL PORTION INTO THE REPAIRS.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #745411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE. FLOOR GETS WET WHEN IT RAINS OR AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. MAUNFACTURER SAID THAT THERE MAY BE SOME CLOGGED VENTS. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY OTHER JEEP OWNERS, MAYBE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MORE OF A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #745057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #732489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #732489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
COLUMN SHAFT UPPER BEARING FELL OFF, CAUSING CAR TO WOBBLE ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #863764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
ALL THREE FAILURES HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LATEST BEING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER FAILURES REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #722422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP/PULLY FELL OFF TAKING OUT THE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT. UNABLE TO DRIVE, WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. NEVER HEARD OF A POWER STEERING PUMP FALLING OFF. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR $767.00. HAD VEHICLE MAINTAINED AT DEALER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #718669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DEALER SAID NO WARRENTY COVERAGE FOR MANIFOLD DUE TO MILEAGE AND AGE. CALLED CHRYSLER HELP LINE AND TOLD MAYBE COLD WATER OR RAIN GOT ON IT AND AGREED I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRENTY. WHY ISN'T THE MANIFOLD COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION CONTROL WARRENTY. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN GETTING THE EXHAUST GAS TO THE CONVERTER? INSTEAD IT GOES TO THE AIR AND CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM IF IT GETS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I SEE YOUR DATA BANK HAS OTHER MANIFOLD FAILURES ALREDY AND SERVICE NOTICES OF HEAD BOLT MAIFOLD ISSUES. LOOKS LIKE A MFG. DEFECT SINCE THESE VEHICLES ARE SO YOUNG. THE FUEL PUMP WAS FIXED UNDER WARRENTY, THE CAR WOULD'T START RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING UNIT CONTINUES TO LEAK SLOWLY AND THE DEALER SUGGEST A SEAL LEAKING BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX. GREAT CAR!
NHTSA complaint #713896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
SEAT BELT CATCHES ON DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH 9 OUT 0F 10 TIMES. SEAT BELT IS GETTING A HOLE IN IT. LEAK HAS BEEN FIXED 15 TIMES AND IT STILL LEAKS ON PASSENGER'S FEET. DAMAGE IS OCCURRING TO INTERIOR OF JEEP AND ANYTHING LEFT ON THE FLOOR GETS WET. I WAS TOLD( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: 22SS/75R15 )
NHTSA complaint #713439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
VEHICLE EXHIBITS UNDAMPED SHIMMY OF FRONT SUSPENSION AFTER HITTING PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES AT ~40-45 MPH. SHIMMY CONTINUES UNTIL SPPED IS REDUCED BELOW THAT RANGE. CONDITION APPEARS TO BE WORSENING. MILEAGE AT 37,000 NOW. DEALER REPLACED STERRING DAMPER AND PITMAN ARM SHAFT SEAL WHICH HAD LITTLE AFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #710471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEAR BOX OUT OF ORDER. YH
NHTSA complaint #609982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
STEERING
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. REAR PASSENGER SEAT CAME LOOSE, STRUCK DRIVER IN HEAD, EJECTED FROM VEHICLE. SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED?
NHTSA complaint #705360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER WAS TURNING ON TO A SIDE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY5 MPH WHEN STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #824803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
AFTER REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAG, LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING (RECALL COMPONENT).
NHTSA complaint #543386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED (LOOSE AND LEAKING).
NHTSA complaint #542421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE STEERING DAMPENER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN HE HIT A BUMP.
NHTSA complaint #539661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
FAULTY STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #540927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
FLYWHEEL GRINDS A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC RESERVOIR, ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK OUT, ADDITION TO SPRAYING POWER STEERING FLUID ALL OVER ENGINE WHEN FLUID LEAKS ONTO THE FAN BLADE, REPLACE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR, NEW UNIT WORKED ITS WAY LOOSE AFTER TWO WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #511566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT, CONSUMER THEN PROCEEDED TO GET OFF INTERSTATE, THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #812572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.