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1997 Jeep Wrangler Wipers & Visibility Problems

19 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

19
Complaints
Jan 1998Dec 2001
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (19)

mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2004

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 #: 10098685
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2003

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 #: 10007990
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2001

WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING, CAUSING BUBBLES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. *AK

NHTSA #: 755887
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2001

WINDSHIELD IS ,CAUSING BUBBLES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. *AK

NHTSA #: 755890
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2001

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 .*AK

NHTSA #: 891268
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA #: 745059
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA #: 741924
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2000

UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS, NO AIR FLOW FROM VENTS DUE TO INTERNAL LEVER IN HEATER HOUSING BROKEN, VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER*AK

NHTSA #: 735562
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2000

WINDOWS ON THE DOOR ARE CRACKING DUE TO THE PRESSURE AGAINST STRUCTURE OF JEEP.*AK

NHTSA #: 865239
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2000

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. *AK

NHTSA #: 725053
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2000

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. *AK

NHTSA #: 863470
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2000

THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE HEATER CORE THAT CAUSES WINDOWS TO FOG UP WHEN ENGINE IS HEATED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 857045
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA #: 835478
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 1999

WINDSHIELD CRACKED.

NHTSA #: 544224
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 1999

WINDSHIELD FAILED. YH

NHTSA #: 607259
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 1999

REAR WIPER WASHER LEAKING. YH

NHTSA #: 609423
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 1998

DEFROST MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA #: 541827
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 1998

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. *AK

NHTSA #: 822912
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 1998

THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP THREE OF THE FOUR TIMES.

NHTSA #: 529530

Other 1997 Jeep Wrangler Issues