29 of the 548 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler are about the suspension — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 115,949 miles.
29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
AFTER HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE STEERING SEEMS LIKE IT WOBBLES ENTIRE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11351889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE REAR OF THE FRAME CAN RUST THROUGH DUE TO LACK OF DRAIN HOLES TO LET WATER AND DEBRIS OUT CAUSING THE REAR CONTROL ARMS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10950359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY FRAME IS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNTS ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME AND THE FRAME ROTTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS THE REQUIRED SAFTEY INSPECTION. I STARTED LOOKING FOR A WAY TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE FRAME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DATE I HAVE ENTERED IS THE DATE THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10917836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NOTICED WOBBLE UNDERNEATH WHILE DRIVING. INSPECTED UNDERNEATH AND NOTICED LIGHT SHOWING BETWEEN TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE AND FRAME (SHOULD BE TIGHT) AND BOLT HANGING DOWN. TOOK INTO SHOP AND LOWER MID FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING SKID PLATE BOLTS TO FALL OUT WITH NUTS STILL ATTACHED. SKID PLATE ALSO SERVES AS TRANSFER CASE MOUNT AND WHEN IT DROPS THE DRIVESHAFT WOBBLES. ULTIMATELY IF IT HAD COMPLETELY LET GO ON THE HIGHWAY THE REAR DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS CAUSING UNCONTROLLED SKID, OR THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD BREAK CAUSING DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #10716094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME AS A RESULT OF THE FRAME CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS CAUSED THE REAR BRAKE LINE TO BRAKE DRAINING THE MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA complaint #10693731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION
THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY, THE FRAME ROT CLEARLY STARTED MANY YEARS AGO. THE RUST IS QUITE BAD AND WILL NOT STOP. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BODY COULD POSSIBLY FLY OFF THE FRAME POSSIBLY BEING FATAL. THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM CONTROL ARM BRACKETS TO BODY MOUNTS ALL OF WHICH CAN LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10605442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LINK ON THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE CONNECTING LINK IS NOT STURDY ENOUGH AND IS WEAK DUE TO IT'S SIZE.
NHTSA complaint #10101905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED INSIDE THE CASING, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10011320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
5-SPEED TRANS HARD TO SHIFT COLD.FRONT SWAY BER LINKS BREAKING
NHTSA complaint #10002940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DEATH SHIMMY AT 40MPH. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY FROM SISDE TO SIDE. TAKEN TO DEALER, TIRE SHOPS ECT. NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. REPLACED TRAKING ARM, WHEELS AND TIRES. FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #766598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 35 MPH VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. MECHANIC DETERMINED RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT, ALSO UPPER LEFT CONTROL ARM. PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT.
NHTSA complaint #8009077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 35 MPH VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. MECHANIC DETERMINED RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT, ALSO UPPER LEFT CONTROL ARM. PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT.
NHTSA complaint #8009077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED REALLY HARD AND TOSSED CONSUMER AROUND A LITTLE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8006834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL ALL RELATED PARTS FAILED, WATER LEAKING ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, CLOCK AND RADIO BROKE DEALER CANT FIX, SEAT BELTS WONT RETRACT, SWAY BARS COME LOOSE
NHTSA complaint #749482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS VIBRATIONS START AT 40 MPH AND ENTIRE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY , ACTUALLY BOUNCING FRONT END OFF OF ROAD MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RETAIN CONTROL. PROBLEM IS BEING REFERRED TO AMONG OWNERS AS "DEATH WOBBLE". ALL COMPONENTS CHECKED, REPLACED AND/OR REPAIRED WITHOUT ANY IMPROVEMENT. MAJOR PROBLEM FOR JEEP OWNERS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 40 MHP.
NHTSA complaint #744723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ALL SPEEDS AND WHEN HITTING A BUMP/ HOLE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING, VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #886972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
SWAY BAR LINK BALLJOINTS POPPED OUT ON BOTHS SIDES MAKING THE JEEP UNSTABLE IN TURNS. THE ARE LIKE THIS ON 9 OUT OF 10 JEEPS I HAVE INSPECTED WITH LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #736933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SWAY BAR LINKS POPPED OUT OF THEIR SOCKETS CAUSING REDUCED CONTROL OF SIDE TO SIDE STABELIZATION. THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS STABILITY PROBLEM IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THEIR BROKEN AND HAS TO MAKE A QUICK TURN. THIS PART IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #724548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
NOTICED OIL LEAKING. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER WHO PUT A NEW SEAL ON. AFTER A SECOND SEAL WAS PUT ON, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TORQUE TURNING CHECKED ON THE REAR PINION GEAR. WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS WERE ALL BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THEY HAD TO REBUILT THE REAR END. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
FRONT TORSION BAR IS FLIMSY AND UNDERSIZED, BECAME STRESSED UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS (NO OFFROADING) AND GAVE WAY. TURNING, MANEUVERING IN TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS AS SIDE-TO-SIDE SWAYING BECAME EXCESSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #716972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER LEAKING. YH
NHTSA complaint #609423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. YH
NHTSA complaint #609423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE, AND THE FRONT WHEELS FELT LIKE THEY WERE FALLING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #847290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING WAS BEING TURNED .CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN ARBITRATION FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #846203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS THAT HOLD THE TRANSMISSION AXLE IN PLACE FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #542993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.