Four problems related to driveshaft have been reported for the 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving on interstate at 65mph, front end of drive shaft fell out. Luckily it did not flip vehicle. Bent the drive shaft in half.
Whike driving at 65mph on interstate transfer case came apart and front driveshaft fell out. When this happened the airbags deployed,windshield wipers came on, washer squirted, dash lights came on. The passenger air bag busted the windshield, and the face of the passenger. Her jaw is broken in three places and her four upper teeth were removed from their sockets. She required extensive reconstructive surgery, and is still in the hospital. Noothers objects or vehicles were involved. The driver beat the airbag down and safely parked the car in the median. Why did airbags deploy and with such force?.
Was driving approx. 35mps approaching a turn, had slowed down to 10-15mph, when turning vehicle felt a shake, the steering began to freeze/lock up and consumer then had no control of vehicle, resulting in drifting off road. When driver looked in rearview mirror she saw metal pipes laying on the road.
Clutch and catalytic converter both need replaced with only 20,500 miles . Also has had two driveshafts replaced with only 10,000 miles. Has seen very little 4-wheel drive use, and has 20,500 after 4 years as original owner.