1990 Jeep Wrangler Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Jeep Wrangler, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes2828.9%
- Fuel system2020.6%
- Interior & seats1212.4%
- Engine88.2%
- Seat belts66.2%
- Electrical44.1%
- Visibility33.1%
- Transmission33.1%
- Suspension33.1%
- Powertrain (other)22.1%
- Other / unspecified22.1%
- Body & structure22.1%
- Steering22.1%
- Tires & wheels22.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE LEANING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IT BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE BACK OF THE SEAT FELL OFF THE SEAT WAS NOT A RECLINER WAS STATIONARY. *TC
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS RUST AND CORROSION ON FLOOR AND UNDERNEATH FOOT BOARD. THERE ARE TWO BRACKETS/ FOUR BOLTS HOLDING VEHICLE SEAT TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD WARPING AND CRACKING THE MANIFOLD.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOULDER BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER 'S SIDE DON'T WORK, THEY WON'T RETRACT. CONSUMER CAN'T DERTERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON STARTING VEHICLE, SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER LIFTED THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
THERE IS WATER COMING IN FRONT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FRONT DASH, THE HORN STOP WORKING . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THERE IS WATER COMING IN FRONT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FRONT DASH, THE HORN STOP WORKING . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED ON MY DAUGHTER'S 1990 JEEP WRANGLER A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN SHE WAS IN COLLEGE (SDSU, SAN DIEGO, CA). SHE WAS IN CLASS. IT ROLLED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A MAZDA MINI-VAN. SHE INSISTED SHE SET THE PARKING BRAKE. IT NOW LOOKS LIKE SHE PROBABLY DID. CAN WE COLLECT FROM CHRYSLER FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE?
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 75R15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRAME BROKE AT REAR DRIVERSIDE LEAFSPRING. SHACKLE MOUNT ALSO REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKE OFF. *TR
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE FELL OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. *AK TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STALL, WOULD NOT START AND WAS NOT HOLDING IN IDLE. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED BEING THEN, VEHCILE LOOKED AT BY INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR AND WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MUFFLER, BALL JOINTS AND U-JOINT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, STILL THE VEHICLE IDLES IMPROPERLY. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE FELL OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. *AK TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STALL, WOULD NOT START AND WAS NOT HOLDING IN IDLE. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED BEING THEN, VEHCILE LOOKED AT BY INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR AND WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MUFFLER, BALL JOINTS AND U-JOINT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, STILL THE VEHICLE IDLES IMPROPERLY. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND CALIPERS; BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE FELL OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. *AK TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STALL, WOULD NOT START AND WAS NOT HOLDING IN IDLE. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED BEING THEN, VEHCILE LOOKED AT BY INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR AND WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MUFFLER, BALL JOINTS AND U-JOINT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, STILL THE VEHICLE IDLES IMPROPERLY. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL LEAKS.
CLIP THA TCONNECTS ROD INSIDE DOOR BROKE, PASSENGER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN/UNLOCK FROM INSIDE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE SOME BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ARE COMING LOOSE. CONTACTED DEALER. MR
PURCHASE JEEP USED WHEN TURNING THE JEEP, THE STEERING BINDS. TT *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE - CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SPINS AND OFF THE ROAD - LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD - NO TREAD LEFT ON TIRE - TREAD FLEW UP AND ALSO BROKE DRIVER MIRROR AND LEFT REAR TAILIGHT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD60AXC306 TIRESIZE: 31X10.50R1)
FIRESTONE FIREHAWK FAILURE-WITNESS ADVISED WHILE ON HIGHWAY BEHIND POLICY HOLDER APPROX ONE TO TWO LENGTHS BEHIND INSURED. WITNESS NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE BOUNICING UP AND DOWN, WITNESS ALSO SAW PIECES OF IRE HITTING HER VEHICLE. INSURED LOST CONTROL. SINGLE CAR LOSS, INJURIES WITH NO MEDICAL COVERAGE. (CLAIM 75-A265-140) *MW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .