RoadVitals

1978 Jeep CJ5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest May 2, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 9, 1978
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1978 Jeep CJ5, most frequently naming the steering category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
78V049000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Mar 9, 1978
2,726 units potentially affected
The defect: THE COUPLING WHICH ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE OVERSIZED SERRATIONS WHICH COULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM BEING PROPERLY TIGHTENED IN THE STEERING GEAR SHAFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS MAY ALSO CAUSE FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
The remedy: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE COUPLINGS REPLACED.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
78V039000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Feb 17, 1978
96,933 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLATE SEAL IMPROPERLY SEATED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW A GRADUAL TRANSFER OF LUBRICANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSFER CASE.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE LUBRICANT LEVELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REAR OIL SEALS.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed May 2, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 JEEP CJ5. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200, REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS VERY LOOSE WHERE THE COLUMN JOINED THE SHAFT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT ONE COULD HEAR THE STEERING COLUMN RATTLING. THE STEERING COLUMN GOT WORSE WITH TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189536
Incident
Mar 17, 2007

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jeep CJ5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—
1985002—
1984002—
1983002—
1982011—
1981011—
1980001—
1979120—
1978Viewing120—
1977010—
1976040—
1975020—
1974020—
1973011—
1972030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.