RoadVitals

1990 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.
79
Latest Mar 13, 2018
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.
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.
11
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 79 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Jeep Wrangler, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and interior & seats categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 10 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

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
PE95049ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION

Opened Aug 17, 1995
Closed Jan 26, 1996

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE MODE AND THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY POSED BY ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE SEPARATIONS.THE REAR AXLE SHAFT AND HOUSING DESIGN IS TYPICAL OF THOSE IN WHICH THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS CARRIED ON THE AXLE HOUSING.THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE SHAFTS, SUPPORTED BY ROLLER BEARINGS, ARE SITUATED INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING.THE INBOARD SPLINED END OF THE AXLE SHAFT RECEIVES POWER TRANSMITTED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, PROVIDING TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS.THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THAT THE AXLE SHAFT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE ENTIRE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT FAILURE.AS IDENTIFIED BY CHRYSLER, THE SUBJECT REAR AXLES ARE DANA 35C AND 35CM MODELS, WHICH HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SINCE THE 1990 MODEL YEAR.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT AXLE SHAFTS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.SEE HARD COPY RESUME FOR FULL TEXT OF SUMMARY.

SUSPENSION
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 79
Filed Mar 13, 2018

CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL IS NOT BEING HONORED BY CHRYSLER

NHTSA ID
11079032
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V041000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ID
10787930
Incident
Feb 10, 1995
Mileage
57,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemVisibility
Filed Oct 1, 2015

CHRYSLER IS NOT HONORING /REPAIRING THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE EMISSION/SAFETY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE, EXPLOSION TO NOT ONLY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO ITS OCCUPANTS TO INCLUDE TRANSIT. CHRYSLER HAS IGNORED THE FACTS THAT THESE RECALLS BUT BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
10779002
Incident
Apr 2, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WERE ODORS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SIGNS OF THE FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E064000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10759424
Incident
Jun 30, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jul 28, 2015

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10744164
Incident
Aug 14, 2014
Suspension
Filed Nov 11, 2014

FRAME BROKE AT REAR DRIVERSIDE LEAFSPRING. SHACKLE MOUNT ALSO REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKE OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654251
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JEEP AND CHRYSLER DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V0148000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THERE IS A BOLT UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE LINE THAT CANNOT BE LOOSENED. IF THE BOLT BECOMES LOOSE, IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10276222
Incident
Jul 8, 2008
Mileage
101,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 11, 2005

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS FUMES. THESE FUMES APPEARED WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. REGARDLESS OF DAY/NIGHT OR WHEN PARKED. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR A GAS LEAK. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A LEAK OR CRACKS IN THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SMELL LIKE GAS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117698
Incident
Apr 9, 2005
Mileage
80,000 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
1990Viewing7971066.7
1989627970.4
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.