RoadVitals

1997 Jeep Wrangler Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jan 25, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 401 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 25, 2020

RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE JEEP I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS BUT WHEN I CALLED THE OWNER HE SAID ITS A BUY AS IS, NO WARRANTY, HE DIDN'T OFFER TO HELP WITH ANYTHING AND BEING DISABLED I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO GET ENGINE FIXED, TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC SYSTEM, NO AC, NO HEAT OR DEFROST EITHER ALL THESE THINGS I FIXED BUT NOW AGAIN IN 2020 I STILL HAVE NO HEAT, NO DEFROST, JEEP IS IN YARD NOT RUNNING AND I STILL OWE RIGHT AT 900 ON THE JEEP, THE OWNER HAS BEEN VERY RUDE, MADE THREATS, AND NOW NOT TAKING MY FINAL 3 PYMTS ON JEEP, NEVER BEEN LATE, EVER!!!! HE RUNS A SHADY BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT AND I HAVE A TOP MECHANIC THAT LEFT HIS BUSINESS TO VOUCH FOR THE ODOMETER TAMPERING AS WELL AS HAVING THE MECHANIC TO FIX ALL THE LIGHTS ON PANEL THAT SHOWED ENGINE RUNNING HOT, HE TOLD THE MECHANIC TO FIX IT OR HE WAS NOT GETTING HIS PAY CHECK, I HAVE THE MECHANICS STATEMENT AND HE WILL TESTIFY IN PERSON. I HAVE SEVERAL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE SINCE QUITE TO VOUCH HE SOLD LEMONS, AND SALVAGED CARS. HE LOST HIS DMV LICENSE BUT STILL CONTINUES TO FRAUD PEOPLE.

NHTSA ID
11301864
Incident
Jun 9, 2017
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 9, 2011

HORN DOESN'T WORK AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SHOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE INOPERABLE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10418187
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Mileage
129,295 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 12, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *AK THE GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED (GAS READ EMPTY), THE VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. DIFFERENT MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED (THERE WAS PINK FLUID IN THE BATTERY AREA), THE BELT PULLEY HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THE BATTERY FAILED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10024874
Incident
Jun 24, 2003
Mileage
73,629 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jun 27, 2003

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10023888
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
74,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 20, 2002

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE LOST POWER. WILL JERK REALLY HARD, AND PRESSING ON ACCELERATER HAS NO AFFECT. DEALER REPLACED FUEL RAIL, AND A WEEK LATER PROBLEM REOCCURED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8006033
Incident
Jan 29, 2002
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 14, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICL CLOCK SPRIING BROKE, AND HORN MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8000735
ElectricalEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Jul 31, 2001

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 ID
749482
Electrical
Filed Aug 14, 2000

PROBABLE FAULTY CONNECTION AT IGNITION SWITCH - PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
727893
Incident
Jun 5, 1998
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Mar 8, 2000

A/C FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
551261
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2000

CHRYSLER STATES THAT ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IN MY JEEP WHICH IS THE PROBLEM. DANGEROUS DRIVING INTO TRAFFIC AND I DON'T GET ANY GAS, JUST SPUTTERS. ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED COUNTLESS TIMES IN THE PAST 13 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID
719523
Incident
Feb 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 1999

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE SOMETIMES THE STARTER ENGAGES. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND STIFFING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DRIVER HAS TO PULL THE RELAY SWITCH BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL STOP. TH KEY WILL TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER IS STILL ENGAGING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND A HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 19, 1999 FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
853582
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 1999

ENGINE HARNESS BAD IN VEHICLE.VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR LOTS OF PROBLEMS SINCE NEW.THE LATEST IS THE HARNESS PROBLEM.THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES, AND IS AT PRESENT TIME IS STILL AT DEALER.THEY HAVE HAD IT GOING ON THREE WEEKS NOW.NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROPER PARTS OR A CORRECT WAY OF FIXING IT.I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER MORE TIMES THEN I CARE TO RECALL,BUT STILL THE SAME ANSWER THAT THEY ARE TRYING EVERYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.THIS LAST TIME 2 WIRES IN ENGINE HARNESS MELTED,I FEEL THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE.IF YOU CAN HELP IN ANYWAY I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT,THANK YOU JAMES HAVEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
708085
Incident
Apr 29, 1999
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Sep 21, 1998

FAULTY STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA ID
540927
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 17, 1998
2 injuries reported

COMPUTER/FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND ENGINE OIL FILTER FAILED.

NHTSA ID
534586

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .