8.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,933 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments

problem #15

May 152003

Wrangler 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #14

Jan 082002

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have an automatic transmission in this Jeep. It would not shift into 3rd geer. It has never been used off road. Its my daughters car. She uses it to go to college and back home.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jun 012001

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When putting vehicle in park after about 2 minutes it will go into reverse, but the lever is still in park. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. At times the car will go into neutral, but the lever is still in park. The head lights also short out at times. I have to move the blinker handle to get them on again.

- Clarence, NY, USA

problem #12

Sep 071999

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 09/07/99 as my Jeep Wrangler was parked in the parking lot of my bank it proceeded to roll backwards out of the parking lot, across a busy street, and into a canal ( ditch). It landed on its right side and was submersed. It took two tow trucks and 3 hours to pull it out. Once at the Jeep dealership they investigated to see what had happened. They came to the conclusion that it was the gear shift ( which had been in the parked position) but never gave any specifics. My insurance and I ended up paying a total of about $9,000 dollars. The repairs took a month and a half, in which my insurance paid for a rental car. When I asked about having the powertrain investigated by an outside mechanic they offered to "sell" it to me for $1000 dollars. I filed a complaint with the manufacturer shortly thereafter, and never to this day have received a reply. After reading the artcile in the newspaper today about the defects in the Grand Cherokee it made me think about my Jeep and what happened to me. The situations with others was exactly like my experience except that no one was injured. Please investigate the Wrangler years 1995-1999 also for similar accidents. That Jeep was my first vechicle after graduating college, I had always wanted one. It was the first and will be the last Jeep I ever own after that horrible experience. I am just so thankful that no one was injured.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #11

Feb 202001

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
I was having problems shifting into second gear, at first, I was coming up to a stop sign and tried to down shift when the shifter would not go into any gear, it was locked up took it to a mechanic and he said that 5th gear was cracked and locked up all the shafts in the transmision. I have been having problems with shifting into second gear since I bought the vehicle and took it to the dealer 2 times and they said that nothing was wrong.

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #10

Feb 122001

Wrangler

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Gear shift froze in fifth gear pulled gear shift from transmission and couldn't shift into different gear. The fifth gear is now sitting in my closet. New part has been installed, now my check engine light is on due to faulty 4th cylinder ejecter. Dealer said all my valves needed to be replaced for $1400 gave him the finger and said nice try!

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 032000

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving in 5th gear attempted to downshift for stoplight, was able to get into neutral, but was unable to shift into any gear. Was stranded in the middle of busy intersection unable to move.

- Mt. Horeb, WI, USA

problem #8

Oct 051999

(reported on)

Wrangler

  • miles
The engine stalls when shifting from first to second gear. Dealer has seen vehicle twice, and said vehicle needed a new fuel rail.

- Greenwood, AR, USA

problem #7

Oct 041999

(reported on)

Wrangler

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving in heavy traffic at highway speeds the vehicle will completely shut down without warning, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #6

Mar 011997

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission valve body failed.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 201998

Wrangler

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at 55mph downshifted and the shifter would not release from fifth to forth, pulled out of gear and coasted, vehicle would not go into any gear at all. Dealer contacted and was not aware of the problem, awaiting a new transmission for vehicle. Provide further information.

- Delleville, NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 291998

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Design of skid plate over the transfer case and exhaust causes it to act like a shovel pan cutting grass off road and depositing it there causing the grass to burn.

- Smithfield, PA, USA

problem #3

Jul 011998

Wrangler 4WD

  • miles
Automatic transmission, in 4WD, disengaged while climbing steep hill. The engine reved up then the tranmission re-engaged. This occured while transmission fluid was full to the upper mark. Problem did not occur when transmission fluid was over filled.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 171997

(reported on)

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
4-wheel drive inoperable. In addition, driver's seat belt will not retract/gas gauge failed, shows tank 1/4-1/2 full when it is actually out of gas/passenger's side door handle very tight and squeaky/ABS brakes squeal loudly/automatic transmission has trouble shifting and sticks prior to releasing to next gear, and seat belt warning system buzzer sounds at times uneven and loud with a squeaking noise.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #1

May 011996

Wrangler 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission problem.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA

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