VehicleVerdict

1997 Jeep Wrangler fuel system problems

The 1997 Jeep Wrangler has 62 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

62

Fuel System complaints

11%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Wrangler fuel system complaints by model year483 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 15 complaints1988: 16 complaints1989: 22 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 21 complaints1992: 28 complaints1993: 34 complaints1994: 41 complaints1995: 13 complaints1997: 62 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 8 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 454 complaints2006: 483 complaints2007: 117 complaints2008: 141 complaints2009: 80 complaints2010: 228 complaints2011: 100 complaints2012: 45 complaints2013: 33 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 15 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 15 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 10 complaints2020: 40 complaints2021: 115 complaints2022: 59 complaints2023: 43 complaints2024: 145 complaints2025: 17 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Wrangler fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

06E011000Fuel SystemFebruary 1, 2006 · 7,291 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

What owners report

“I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT ON BREAK. THROTTLE WENT VERY HIGH AND PROPELLED CAR FORWARDED EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE BREAKS PENAL DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. THERE IS NO WAY I PUSHED DOWN ON THE WRONG PEDAL. THE BREAKS COULD NOT HOLD THE CAR STOPPED. THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 14, 2020 · crash

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1997 Jeep Wrangler have?

NHTSA has 62 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler fuel system — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 06E011000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.