The rear of the frame can rust through due to lack of drain holes to let water and debris out causing the rear control arms to separate from the frame.
1997 Jeep Wrangler: ball joint or control arm failure
8 of the 401 complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 154,557
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
The frame is rusting around the rear control arm mounts , I have seen others rust in the same place in person and on the internet. There are even companies that make repairs for this problem like safe-t-cap. The rust on mine is bad enough that it will not pass state inspection without being repaired.
Frame rusting through in front of rear control arms. Frame rusted through where skid plate bolts to the bottom.
Driving down the road the rear upper control arm brackets separated from the frame as a result of the frame corroding from the inside out. This caused the rear brake line to brake draining the master cylinder.
Frame was rotted through from control arm towards the back of the vehicle. The vehicle braking ability became difficult and hard to steer.
The frame is rotting away, the frame rot clearly started many years ago. The rust is quite bad and will not stop. In an accident, the body could possibly fly off the frame possibly being fatal. The frame is rusting from control arm brackets to body mounts all of which can lead to very dangerous situations.
The vehicle used as personal auto, non recreational vehicle, in mormal city driveing conditions. Speed 50 to 55 MPH, I passed over a seam in the pavement, an undamped oscelation was initated in the front suspension, the car became uncontrolable at all speeds. I was alble to safely pull the vehicle to the side of the rode and stop without further incednet. Investitagion of the steering components identifed exceve wear on front end tie rods and stearing damper. The car is a 97 jeep tj with 35000 miles .
While making a right turn at 35 MPH vehicle pulled to the right. Mechanic determined right and left lower control arms were bent, also upper left control arm. Parts needed to be replaced.*ak. Consumer stated the upper and lower control arms were bent.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
8 of 401 owner complaints about the 1997 Jeep Wrangler (2%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Jeep Wrangler
Fuel gauge 20Airbag light 15No deployment 11Door locks 11Fuel pump 10Seat belt 9Stalling 9Water leak 8Fuel smell 7Loss of power 7Overheating 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Jeep Wrangler?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history