RoadVitals

1989 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.
62
Latest Jan 30, 2020
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.
7
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.
9
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.
17
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 62 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Jeep Wrangler, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 9 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 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 system1925.3%
  • Brakes1216.0%
  • Engine1013.3%
  • Electrical79.3%
  • Interior & seats56.7%
  • Powertrain (other)56.7%
  • Seat belts45.3%
  • Visibility45.3%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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 62
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2020

REAR DIFFERENTIAL E-LOCKER SEIZED CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP, THIS HAPPENED LUCKILY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN TOW BEHIND A MOTOR-HOME GOING 20 MILES PER HOUR ON A DIRT ROAD TURNING INTO A CAMPGROUND. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND POSSIBLE CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. THE RISK IS INTERNAL PARTS INSIDE THE EATON E-LOCKER WERE ABLE TO BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE THIS JAMB IN THE RING GEAR CAUSING BOTH REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA ID
11302973
Incident
Jan 3, 2020
Mileage
4,000 mi
Filed Apr 24, 2018
Fire reported

MUFFLER HANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. MUFFLER HAD HOLE IN BOTTOM BUT STILL SHOULD NEVER IGNITE THE HANGER.

NHTSA ID
11089961
Incident
Apr 22, 2018
Mileage
138,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2003
Crash reported

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 1993 JEEP WRANGLER FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE. WE HAVE A 89 WRANGLER AND THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WHY ISN'T IT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IF IT'S THE SAME BRAKE SYSTEM? IT WAS RELEASED ON MAY AND ROLLED DOWN A STEEP HILL AND HIT A TREE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041685
Incident
May 13, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 2003
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND EXITED VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARD WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL 02V041000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017647
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Mileage
83,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2003
Crash reported

I OWN A 1989 JEEP WRANGLER WITH A MANUAL TRASMISSION. ON LATELY THE PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN SELF-RELEASING CAUSING THE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. ON ONE OCCASION IT HIT MY SECOND VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND IT CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. I FOUND THE NHTSA RECALL (02V041000) CALLED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. I SPOKE WITH TOM AND RACHEAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY YEAR VEHICLE EVEN IF THE ARE THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIRED BUT THEY SEEMED UNCONCERED ABOUT THIS AND SAID THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY TO REPAIR THIS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025288
Incident
Jun 30, 2003
Mileage
79,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 1, 2003

LEAKING FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10013769
Incident
Mar 31, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2003

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL WAS ON THE THROTTLE. RECALL# UNKNOWN. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10012263
Incident
Mar 18, 2003
Brakes
Filed Feb 24, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE PARKING BRAKE AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 02V041000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INLCUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB

NHTSA ID
10009078
Incident
Feb 14, 2003
Mileage
53,300 mi

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)

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

081698

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK

070397

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC

070397

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM

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
1989Viewing627970.4
1988506970.5
19873881074.2
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.