RoadVitals

1992 Jeep Wrangler Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
77
Latest Dec 26, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
8

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 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

  • Brakes1213.6%
  • Engine78.0%
  • Electrical66.8%
  • Body & structure55.7%
  • Interior & seats44.5%
  • Powertrain (other)33.4%
  • Steering33.4%
  • Tires & wheels22.3%
  • Visibility22.3%
  • Suspension11.1%

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

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Fuel gauge don't work, don't know how much gas is in the tank

NHTSA ID 11498911 · filed Dec 26, 2022

The contact owns a 1992 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated upon completing a VIN search online, he became aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 94V106000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed that they could not complete the recall repair since the part for the recall repair was no longer available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised accordingly. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he smelled a fuel odor and as he looked at the rearview mirror, he saw a trail of fuel that had been leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 156,200.

NHTSA ID 11429652 · filed Aug 18, 2021
All 25 reports naming fuel system

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER CHECKING THE VIN, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO OPEN RECALLS, INCLUDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V106000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 02V041000 (SERVICE BRAKES). AFTER NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RECALLS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALLS WERE NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 08/04/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID 10995599 · filed Jun 16, 2017

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE FLIPPED, AND WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10044961 · filed Oct 29, 2003
All 12 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH ENGINE OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES CONSUMER WENT BACK TO VEHICLE AND NOTICED IT HAD ROLLED DOWN THE STREET AND HIT ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. JEEP HAD $3000 DAMAGE, OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. AFTERWARD, CONSUMER STARTED USING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND NOTICED ONCE APPLYING PEDAL, IT STAYED DOWN, BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES PEDAL WOULD POP BACK UP ON ITS OWN. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID 896854 · filed Sep 26, 2001

AT 78,597 MILES CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO STOP PROPERLY. SLAVE CYLINDER BEEN REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID 888633 · filed May 18, 2001
All 9 reports naming transmission

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUTTON BROKE CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND IS THE LAW TO WEAR THEM, NEED ALL SEAT BELTS REPLACE IN 92 JEEP WRANGLERS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10132736 · filed Aug 13, 2005

THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10019415 · filed May 8, 2003
All 9 reports naming seat belts

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD-MULTIPLE CRACKS

NHTSA ID 10000460 · filed Jan 1, 2003

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 748165 · filed Jul 9, 2001

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 723886 · filed Jun 11, 2000

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL/ REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS (93V-083). *AK

NHTSA ID 802867 · filed Oct 25, 1996

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT FRAME RAILS ARE ROTTING AND BREAKING OFF WHERE STEERING BOX IS BOLTED TO FRAME. OWNER CAN WIGGLE STEERING GEAR BOX. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 8019096 · filed Sep 19, 2002

THE CENTER CONSOLE HINGES BREAK OFF AND THE LOCK FALLS OUT. NLM

NHTSA ID 558875 · filed Jan 9, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE SWERVED AND HIT A UTILITY POLE, THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE AND PASSENGER FLEW BACK AGAINST THE SEAT WHICH CAUSED INJURIES. NOTICED A BROKE PIECE IN THE REAR PART OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION INCLUDING VIN#, MILEAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID 834482 · filed Feb 4, 1999

SEATBACK BOLT FAILED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID 822208 · filed Apr 27, 1998

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM ON MY SECOND TIME REPLACING THE SLAVE CYLINDER. THE OWNER BEFORE ME REPLACED IT 3 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10444812 · filed Jan 22, 2012

UNIVERSAL JOINTS FAILED 4 TIMES. *TW

NHTSA ID 489263 · filed Apr 9, 1995

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VIN [XXX] I HAVE A 1992 JEEP WRANGLER SARAHA YJ WITH ABOUT 150,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE TILT STEERING COLUMN BROKE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHEAR PIN WHICH KEEPS THE TILT STEERING MECHANISM IN POSITION. WHEN THE SHEAR PIN BREAKS THE TILT STEERING JUST FLOPS UP AND DOWN. PERIODICALLY THE SHEAR PIN ON THE TILT STEERING BREAKS. IT JUST BROKE AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ABOUT 5 YEARS. IT COSTS ABOUT $300 TO FIX. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROPENSITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID 10415142 · filed Jul 26, 2011

STEERING WHEEL UP/DOWN ADJUSTMENT SAFETY LATCH DEFECTIVE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON STEERING WHEEL LATCH BROKE AND STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. STEERING WHEEL EUST FLOPS UP AND DOWN. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER RE: RECALL AND TO FIX DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10189181 · filed Apr 29, 2007

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

GENERAL TIRE AMERI-G4S S/N DOT ADHF 2V7469 1) DEFECTIVE TIRES 2) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A 2 FOOT SECTION OF TREAD ON LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM TIRE 3) PUT ON SPARE TIRE. TIRE RETAILER SAID ALL TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED GENERAL WHO REFUSES TO COOPERATE AND REPLACE DEFECTIVE TIRES. GENERAL TIRE WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE WHETHER THIS TIRE IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL OR OF A POTENTIAL RECALL. *JB *TC

NHTSA ID 10088730 · filed Oct 1, 2004

CONSUMER PURCHASED TIRES AND AFTER 4.5 MONTHS, THREE OF THE TIRES WENT FLAT BECAUSE OF DEBRIS ACCUMULATING INTO THE DEEP GROOVES. ALL THREE TIRES REQUIRED PATCHING. *JG

NHTSA ID 8021190 · filed Oct 18, 2002

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CENTER CONSOLE HINGES BREAK OFF AND THE LOCK FALLS OUT. NLM

NHTSA ID 558875 · filed Jan 9, 2001

HOLDING "T" FLANGE GETS BUMPED AROUND DUE TO NOT BEING SECURED, CAUSING CRACKS/LEAK OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID. *SKD

NHTSA ID 480602 · filed Jan 18, 1995

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER/INJURY IN ACCIDENT. *DSH

NHTSA ID 501411 · filed Feb 7, 1996

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

Data on this page last refreshed .