21 of the
548 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
34,800 miles.
A
21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Windshield
733.3%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
314.3%
Heater Core
314.3%
Exterior
29.5%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
14.8%
Glass, Side/Rear
14.8%
Fan/Motor
14.8%
Electrical Heating Element
14.8%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices
14.8%
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
14.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Jeep Wrangler year
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SOLE DRIVER OF A 1997 JEEP WRANGLER WITH 34,000 MILES. I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WASN'T WORKING WHEN I DROVE HOME IN A SNOW STORM LAST WEEK. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVE WAS A SHORT DISTANCE. *JB I EASILY DETERMINED THAT A PLASTIC BELL CRANK BROKE OFF ITS SHAFT THAT GOES INTO THE HEATER HOUSING. I ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER CONTROL TO CONFIRM THAT THIS PART IS THE DEFROSTER BELL CRANK. NOTHING HAS FALLEN DOWN THE DEFROSTER DUCT TO JAM THE DOOR AND CAUSE THE BREAK. THE DOOR MOVES FREELY WHEN TURNING THE SHAFT BY HAND. I BELIEVE THE BREAK HAPPENED WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTUATED DURING MAX HEATER FAN, CAUSING MAX AIR PRESSURE ON THE DEFROSTER DOOR WITH MAX TORQUE ON ITS SHAFT. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM MY LOCAL DEALER IS $855. I HAVE A STRONG SUSPICION THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DOUBT IF MANY PEOPLE GO TO THIS EXPENSE TO FIX IT. I DONT WANT TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY ON A DEFECT THAT MAY BREAK AGAIN. SINCE DRIVING WITH FROSTED WINDSHIELDS CREATES A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY HAZARD, I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED TO MAKE THIS SYSTEM MORE ROBUST. A WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 34,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10098685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesGastonia, NC
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE 1997 JEEP WRANGLER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HVAC DAMPERS LITERALLY FALLING APART AND BECOMING UNUSABLE. THE PLASTIC ENDS BREAK OFF AND THE ACTUATORS WILL NOT OPERATE THEM. THE PART HAS BEEN UPGRADED BY CHRYSLER SO THEY NOW THIS EXISTS. IT IS A FAIRLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (OVER $700). MY IS DONE. THE DEALER DID JUST FINE BUT I HAVE ASK CHRYSLER TO MAKE THIS A SAFETY RECALL. THE DEFROSTERS ARE VIRTUALLY NON USABLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS IS A DANGEROUR SITUATION, DRIVING WITH NO DEFROSTERS. THIS PROBLEMS HAS OCCURRED ON MANY WRANGERS AND AS MY DEALER SAID CHEREKEE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10007990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkton, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING, CAUSING BUBBLES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #755887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkton, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD IS ,CAUSING BUBBLES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #755890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER BLOWER FAILED TO BLOW ON FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION .
NHTSA complaint #891268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
THE DIRVER'S SIDE MIRROR DOESN'T STICK WELL, SO WHEN YOU DRIVE AROUND IT EASILY MOVES, AND DRIVER CAN'T SEE THE CARS BESIDES HIM. HAS TO LOOK BACK WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #745059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD, NO AIR FROM VENTS DUE TO BREAKAGE OF INTERNAL LEVER IN HEATER HOUSING. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #741924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS, NO AIR FLOW FROM VENTS DUE TO INTERNAL LEVER IN HEATER HOUSING BROKEN, VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER
NHTSA complaint #735562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
I AM REPORTING THAT CHROME SIDE MIRRORS MADE BY STEELHORSE FOR JEEP WRANGLERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS MY SECOND PAIR AND AS SOON AS YOU REACH 35-40MPH OR DRIVE OFF IN A GOOD WIND THESE MIRRORS FLOP DOWN, RENDERING THEM USELESS. IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, REARVIEW MIRRORS ARE REQUIRED TO PASS INSPECTION. THIS COMPANY MAKES A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD STOP DOING SO. ALSO, THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THESE MIRRORS TO TIGHTEN THEM UP SO THE WIND WON'T BLOW THEM OVER.
NHTSA complaint #725053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDOWS ON THE DOOR ARE CRACKING DUE TO THE PRESSURE AGAINST STRUCTURE OF JEEP.
NHTSA complaint #865239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, MA
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHILE DRIVING WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE SPRUNG OPEN, ALTHOUGH WINDOW WAS LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #863470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE HEATER CORE THAT CAUSES WINDOWS TO FOG UP WHEN ENGINE IS HEATED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #857045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Habra, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
REAR WIPER WASHER LEAKING. YH
NHTSA complaint #609423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winterville, NC
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS CRACKED, AS WAS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ALSO THE CRANK SENSOR HARNESS AND THE TPS WERE MELTED AGAINST THE MANIFOLD. THE DASH LEAKED WATER AND THE BRAKE SHOES/LINING AND RACK AND PINION SET NEEDED REPLACING. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WOULD NEVER RETRACT AND THE DASH LEAD WATER EXTENSIVELY CAUSING THE RESSTR-BLOWER TO GO OUT. THE RADIO WAS ALSO BROKEN FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS
NHTSA complaint #712504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, GA1 injured
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #544224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD HAD DEVELOPED A STRESS CRACK. IT OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. HAD IT REPLACED. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED & WAS RAINING, THE CRACKS WERE NOTICED AT THE TOP & IN THE MIDDLE ON THE PASSENGER'S/DRIVER'S SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #835478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eliot, ME
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP THREE OF THE FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #529530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, VA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DEFROST MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #541827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN TURNING DEFROSTER ON, THERE WOULD BE A POPPING SOUND. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC SAID LEVER HAD SEPARATED THAT CAUSED DEFROSTER NOT TO WORK. IT NEEDED REPLACING. THIS WAS DONE AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #822912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.