1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- 4WD versatility
- Optional antilock brakes
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Acceleration (4-cylinder)
- Noise
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
Dual airbags went into redesigned Wranglers, introduced in early 1996 as '97 models. A revised suspension that did away with the leaf springs was also new. Appearance did not change so much, except for installation of round headlamps. Three trim levels went on sale: SE, Sport, and Sahara. The new canvas top, with plastic windows, folded more like a traditional convertible's roof. A hardtop with full metal doors and roll-up glass windows was optional. Wheelbase was again 93.4 inches, and overall length was identical to that of the earlier model. Powertrains were as before: a 4-cylinder engine in the SE, and a 4.0-liter inline six for both the Sport and Sahara. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 3-speed automatic optional. Command-Trac 4-wheel drive was standard, and antilock brakes were optional only on the Sport and Sahara.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Jeep Wrangler Sahara 6-cylinder Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 1 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 31 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler.
Year to Year Changes
1998 Jeep Wrangler:
Wrangler received no changes for '98.
1999 Jeep Wrangler:
Changes included rotary climate controls (replacing sliding levers) and standardizing the 19.0 gallon fuel tank. Previously, it had been an option.
2000 Jeep Wrangler:
Child-seat tethers were added to the rear seat, and the 6-cylinder engine earned modifications aimed at smoother operation. The Sport's standard AM/FM radio added a cassette player, and the Sahara exchanged a cassette player for a CD player. The optional tilt steering wheel in SE and Sport was now the same leather-covered unit that was standard in Sahara.
2001 Jeep Wrangler:
Wrangler models got standard intermittent windshield wipers, a revised center console, an optional subwoofer, and a plastic instead of metal Add-a-Trunk storage compartment for 2001.
2002 Jeep Wrangler:
The new X model joined the lineup for 2004. Sport, Rubicon, and X also get a standard CD player this year.
2003 Jeep Wrangler:
The previous 4-cyl engine is replaced with a dual-overhead-cam 2.4 liter shared with Jeep's Liberty SUV. This new engine makes 147 hp. The 6-cylinder is unchanged, but optional on both engines is a new 4-speed automatic transmission. Also new for '03 are redesigned front seats, LATCH-type rear child-seat anchors, and an available rearview mirror with temperature and compass display.
2004 Jeep Wrangler:
In 2004, a tilt steering wheel became standard on the Wrangler.
2005 Jeep Wrangler:
The availability of a 6-speed manual transmission marks 2005 for Jeep's Wrangler.
2006 Jeep Wrangler:
Jeep's compact SUV revives the Golden Eagle moniker as an option package for 2006. This package includes Tire and Wheel Group AAS plus spare-tire cover, unique interior and exterior trim, and badging.
Our road test for the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Wranglers really are more carlike than before--far better in ride quality and ergonomics. Occupant comfort is vastly improved, though few would call the Wrangler experience comfortable. The new suspension is a lot more absorbent, true, but it still reacts abruptly to dips and bumps. Unless the pavement really gets nasty, though, the ride isn't jarring. Original 4-cylinder Wrangler with manual shift has trouble merging or overtaking fast-moving freeway traffic. Performance in a 5-speed Wrangler with the 6-cylinder engine gets reasonably vigorous--though accompanied by considerable engine and gear noise. New 4 cyl is more refined than the 6 cyl, and though it's somewhat sluggish away from a stop, it has adequate merging and passing response. Fuel economy is tolerable, but no bonus. A 5-speed Sahara with the 6-cylinder engine averaged 19.3 mpg. Wind noise is abundant where the roof meets the windshield frame. Doors seal poorly too, with the canvas top in place. That canvas top also flutters, while the optional hardtop "drums" at highway speeds. Taking the top up and down is easier than before, but still a frustrating chore. Full instruments now are clustered in front of the driver, not spread out as in prior Wranglers. Two adults now fit in back without squeezing, but the cushion and backrest are hard and short. Interior storage is better than in earlier Wranglers. Space behind the back seat is modest.
Value for the Money
True Wrangler fans don't fret about its flaws. For other potential owners, the great strides made in safety, ride quality, and refinement in this generation bring Wrangler closer than before to serving as an everyday vehicle.
True Wrangler fans don't fret about its flaws. For other potential owners, the great strides made in safety, ride quality, and refinement in this generation bring Wrangler closer than before to serving as an everyday vehicle.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Jeep Wrangler Sahara 6-cylinder Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 1 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 31 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Jeep Wrangler includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Jeep Wrangler .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
Water leaks onto passenger side floor from A/C requiring an extension on the condensate drain tube. (1997-03)
Doors:
The doors may not unlock with the key, requiring replacement of the door latches. (1997)
Fuel gauge:
The gas-gauge needle may not point to full, may show 1/8 to 1/4 full when the tank is empty. (1997)
Fuel odors:
The gas tank may fill slowly or the pump nozzle will keep shutting off due to a problem with the fuel-tank venting system. (1997)
Manual transmission:
High shift effort on 5-speed manual transmission may be remedied with a replacement shift shaft lever and shift detent plunger. (1999-2000)
Steering problems:
Fluid leaks from the power-steering reservoir. (1997)
Water leak:
Water may leak onto the passenger-side front floor due to leaks in the heater and air-conditioner housing or from a problem with the evaporator drain tube. (1997)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $375 |
| Alternator | $315 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $930 |
| Brakes | $270 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $2,165 |
| Exhaust System | $220 |
| Radiator | $300 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $190 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $200 |
| Universal Joints | $220 |
Our price chart for this generation Jeep Wrangler details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2006 | |||
| Sport, Unlimited | $13,800-15,500 | $12,600-14,100 | $8,300-9,300 |
| Wrangler Rubicon | $16,500-18,200 | $15,000-16,600 | $10,600-11,600 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $12,000-13,500 | $10,800-12,200 | $6,700-7,600 |
| Wrangler X | $13,500-14,700 | $12,300-13,400 | $8,000-8,700 |
| 2005 | |||
| Sport, Unlimited | $12,300-13,700 | $11,100-12,300 | $7,000-7,800 |
| Wrangler Rubicon | $14,500-15,800 | $13,200-14,400 | $9,000-9,800 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $10,300-11,500 | $9,300-10,400 | $5,500-6,100 |
| Wrangler X | $12,000-13,000 | $10,800-11,700 | $6,700-7,300 |
| 2004 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $11,700-14,500 | $10,500-13,100 | $6,400-8,000 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $9,000-10,000 | $8,100-9,000 | $4,700-5,200 |
| Wrangler X | $10,500-11,500 | $9,500-10,400 | $5,600-6,100 |
| 2003 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $10,500-12,700 | $9,500-11,400 | $5,600-6,700 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $8,000-9,000 | $7,200-8,100 | $4,100-4,600 |
| Wrangler X | $9,300-10,200 | $8,400-9,200 | $4,800-5,300 |
| 2002 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $9,500-11,000 | $8,600-9,900 | $4,900-5,700 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $7,200-8,000 | $6,400-7,100 | $3,500-3,900 |
| Wrangler X | $8,200-9,000 | $7,400-8,100 | $4,200-4,600 |
| 2001 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $8,500-10,000 | $7,700-9,000 | $4,400-5,200 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $6,500-7,300 | $5,700-6,400 | $2,900-3,300 |
| 2000 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $7,500-9,000 | $6,800-8,100 | $3,800-4,500 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $5,800-6,600 | $5,000-5,700 | $2,400-2,800 |
| 1999 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $7,000-8,100 | $6,200-7,200 | $3,300-3,800 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $5,200-5,900 | $4,400-5,000 | $2,100-2,400 |
| 1998 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $6,200-7,300 | $5,400-6,400 | $2,700-3,100 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $4,600-5,300 | $3,900-4,500 | $1,700-2,000 |
| 1997 | |||
| Wrangler 6-cyl. | $5,700-6,500 | $4,900-5,600 | $2,300-2,700 |
| Wrangler SE 4-cyl. | $4,200-4,800 | $3,400-3,900 | $1,400-1,600 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Jeep Wrangler include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 93.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 151.8 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.7 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 70.2 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3092 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 55.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.0-19.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.1 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 40.6 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.9 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Wranglers were equipped with either a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, developing 120 horsepower, or a 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder that produced 181 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual or optional 3-speed automatic transmission might be installed. All Wranglers had Command-Trac 4-wheel drive. Engine improvements to the six added nine horsepower to 190. In '03 the original 4-cylinder was replaced by a 2.4-liter dual-cam unit from Jeep's Liberty. Also, the available 3-speed automatic was replaced by a 4-speed on both engines. In '05, Wrangler got a 6-speed manual transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 147 | 165 | 5-speed manual: 19/20 6-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 17/19 |
5-speed manual: -- 6-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv I4 | 2.5 / 151 | 120 | 140 | 5-speed manual: 19/20 6-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: 17/18 |
5-speed manual: -- 6-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv I6 | 4.0 / 242 | 181-190 | 222-235 | 5-speed manual: 15/18 3-speed automatic: 15/17 |
5-speed manual: 19.3 3-speed automatic: 15.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Jeep Wrangler include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Wrangler |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1997 Wrangler:
Airbag could deploy inadvertently when ignition is shut off.
1997 Wrangler:
Airbag-control module on some vehicles contains an error that can delay deployment in certain crash situations.
1997 Wrangler w/manual steering:
Driver's airbag-wiring harness can break when steering wheel is turned to "full lock" position; in crash, airbag would not deploy.
1997-03 Wrangler w/Bestop hardtop and roof rack:
With some rear shell roof racks made for use with aftermarket Bestop hardtop, cockpit cover may not stay latched and could separate from the roof rack.
1998 Wrangler:
Front-seatbelt shoulder anchors were not properly heat treated and hardened; in a crash, occupant may not be properly restrained.
1998 Wrangler:
Power-brake booster-vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear; may cause increase in engine-idle speed and loss of power brake assist.
1999 Wrangler:
Instrument-panel ground-attachment screws could loosen over time, possibly affecting gauges and/or defroster.
2001 Wrangler:
Some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions for properly attaching a child-restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
2001-02 Wrangler:
Water may leak into the ignition switch, causing a short circuit and possibly a fire.
2002 Wrangler w/4.0-liter engine:
Debris can accumulate in the intake and exhaust manifolds, increasing the risk of fire.
2005-06 Wrangler w/42RLE automatic transmission:
Cup plug that retains park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed; if it changes position, vehicle may not be able to achieve "Park" position.
2006 Wrangler w/ 6-speed manual transmissions:
The hydraulic clutch master cylinder linkage rod may break, causing unintentional vehicle movement, increased stopping distance, and engine stalling. Dealers will replace the clutch master cylinder linkage rod free of charge.
2006:
The antilock brake system control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning. Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit.
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