RoadVitals

1987 Jeep Wrangler

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.
38
Latest Dec 18, 2017
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.
8
Latest Aug 27, 2007
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.
10
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.
12
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 38 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Jeep Wrangler, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and engine categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 10 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Fuel system1434.1%
  • Seat belts717.1%
  • Engine512.2%
  • Electrical49.8%
  • Visibility37.3%
  • Brakes24.9%
  • Powertrain (other)12.4%
  • Interior & seats12.4%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04E041000

EQUIPMENT

Jun 7, 2004
80 units potentially affected
The defect: BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
BESTOP, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ97016ClosedRecall Query

FUEL LEAKAGE

Opened Oct 27, 1997
Closed Jun 30, 1998

ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS ON FUEL LEAKAGE AND 3 REPORTS ON ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURE REPORTS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 94V106000
PE95020ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BACK FAILURE

Opened Mar 27, 1995
Closed Jul 28, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEATS
EA94031ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Aug 30, 1994
Closed Sep 30, 1997

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PE94037ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Apr 26, 1994
Closed Aug 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 38
Brakes
Filed Dec 18, 2017

I ORDERED PRONTO BRAKE DRUM PART NUMBER BD80003. THE PART NUMBERS ARE CASTED INTO THE PART. THE DRUMS WERE DIFFERENT AND ONE OF THEM CAUSES THE WHEEL TO FREEZE. THE SOURCE OF THE PARTS FOR THE RETAILER SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE RETAILER RESHIPPED THE PARTS 3 TIMES, EACH TIME THE DRUMS RECEIVED WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS FORCED TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER BRAND.

NHTSA ID
11055305
Incident
Dec 1, 2017
Mileage
212,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 18, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS EXPIRED AND FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V150000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 361,000.

NHTSA ID
10475812
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
280,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR SCC

NHTSA ID
8021145
Incident
Oct 8, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 20, 2000

BLOWOUT RIGHT FRONT,STILLRUNNING THREE TIRES. A GOOD AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT ON THE THREE REMAINING TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2IHFWMN TIRE SIZE: P215/75R15 )

NHTSA ID
731985
Incident
Oct 11, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Aug 11, 1999

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN BUCKLED. NLM

NHTSA ID
782826
Fuel system
Filed Feb 22, 1999

JEEP CAUGHT FIRE, ASSUMING FROM FUEL LINES DIRECTLY ON TOP OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD DESIGNED BY CHRYSLER

NHTSA ID
703603
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 1998

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, THE GAS GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE. BUT WHEN DRIVING ABOUT A MILE, THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW THAT THERE IS ONLY A 1/2 OF TANK. CONTACTED DEALER AND CAN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
828521
Incident
Jan 10, 1998
Filed Jun 21, 1998

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
537161
Incident
Jun 1, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

D-20-02 Rev. A

EQUIPMENT

DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A)

RCL/622

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

UNKNOWN

RCL/623

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

UNKNOWN

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jeep Wrangler by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026820—
2025604060.8
202466611167.5
202333714265.9
202237615468.9
202190115365.6
202059912266.1
20197299259.8
20181,79914562.0
20173085370.1
20164555369.8
20154643369.3
20146514465.2
20136497461.6
201283110663.1
201148311663.7
201068511663.4
20093687459.6
20088739859.7
2007555101062.7
20067303152.8
20056492046.6
20041923051.7
2003984052.7
20021086055.2
20011707057.2
20002515160.9
19992135156.7
19982656054.6
19974017053.4
1996210—
19952023362.9
19941514563.0
19931085563.0
1992776661.1
1991768460.6
19907971066.7
1989627970.4
1988506970.5
1987Viewing3881074.2
1986111—
1985001—
1984001—

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.