RoadVitals

1994 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.
151
Latest Mar 30, 2022
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.
4
Latest Mar 23, 2006
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.
5
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.
20
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 151 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Jeep Wrangler, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 18 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
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
02V041000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Feb 7, 2002
316,148 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number B03View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA01003ClosedEngineering Analysis

PARKING BRAKE RESULTING IN ROLLAWAY

Opened Jan 11, 2001
Closed Mar 25, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 02V041000
PE00038ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE

Opened Sep 15, 2000
Closed Jan 11, 2001

ALLEGED THE THE PARKING BRAKE FAIL TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHEN APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA99014ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE ROTER DISC/HUD SEPARATION

Opened Jun 28, 1999
Closed Mar 28, 2000

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 00V136000
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 151
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 30, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported

The jeep flipped going down an accessway and bent the entire roll bar.

NHTSA ID
11459001
Incident
Mar 29, 2022
BrakesFuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2016

PARKING BREAK SELF RELEASES. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER THE RECALL WAS DONE MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND IS THEREFORE NO LONGER COVERED. HOW CAN CHRYSLER NOT COVER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY BEGIN ROLLING DOWN A SLOPE WITH NO WARNING. THE BREAK WILL HOLD FOR A FEW MINUTES OR EVEN LONGER AND THEN RELEASE.. IF THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS OF THIS FAULTY A DESIGN WHY CAN IT NOT BE NOT BE REPLACED WITH A MORE DEPENDABLE ONE. IS THERE A REPLACEMENT "KIT" FOR THE RECALL? FURTHERMORE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP/SENSOR GASKET AT TOP OF FUEL TANK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL. I REPLACED THAT GASKET TWICE WITHOUT THE DEALER ADVISING ME OF THE RECALL. AS I PREPARED MY BOAT FOR LAUNCHING THE BREAK RELEASED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE LAKE, NEARLY RUNNING ME OVER. A NARROW ESCAPE.

NHTSA ID
10860848
Incident
Mar 13, 2016
Mileage
100,800 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 15, 2013
Crash reportedFire reported1 death reported

1994 JEEP WRANGLER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FUEL TANK LOCATION THAT CAUSED A FAMILY MEMBER DEATH OF THE CLIENTS, HE IS REPRESENTING. *SMD THE DECEDENT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURBED, HIT A POLE, THEN A TREE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DECEDENT DID NOT DIE FROM THE IMPACT, RATHER HE DIED OF THERMAL INJURIES CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE BURSTING INTO FLAMES...UPDATED 02/13/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
10524432
Incident
May 2, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TWICE. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE GAS CAP FUEL SENDING UNIT AND CRACKED FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V106000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,500.

NHTSA ID
10472358
Incident
Aug 8, 2012
Mileage
144,500 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 9, 2012
Fire reported

I PARKED MY 1994 JEEP WRANGLER OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE AT 6AM THE MORNING OF 4/4/12... AT 11AM I FINISHED FOR THE DAY, LEFT MY JEEP WHERE IT WAS, AND WENT FOR A RUN AROUND WHERE I WORK. AT 11:27AM MY OFFICE MANAGER CALLED MY CELLPHONE AND BEGGED ME TO COME BACK RIGHT AWAY "YOUR JEEP IS ON FIRE!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S GONE!!! NOW THE WOODS ARE ON FIRE!!!". I RAN BACK TO FIND 3 FIRE TRUCKS, MY JEEP NOTHING BUT A CHARRED SHELL STILL ON FIRE. I SPOKE WITH MY OFFICE MANAGER, SHE HEARD AN ALARM (MY HORN HAD I GUESS MELTED AND WENT OFF), WHEN SHE RAN OUTSIDE SHE SAW SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FIRE DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE FRONT (MELTING PLASTIC OF MY DASHBOARD). THE JEEP WAS DRIVING ITSELF UPHILL IN REVERSE! SHE RAN TO IT, TRYING TO STOP IT AND ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MY BELONGINGS FROM INSIDE OF IT (SHE COULD NOT). SHE SAID THERE WAS FIRE SHOOTING FROM UNDER MY DASHBOARD. IT DROVE ITSELF ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON A TREE. IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND THEN EXPLODED. (I HEARD THE EXPLOSION AS I WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE WOODS TRYING TO GET BACK). MY JEEP IS GONE NOW... NOTHING SALVAGEABLE. I NEVER HAD ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THE PAST... BUT AFTER SOME INTERNET SEARCHING I'VE FOUND THAT JEEPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING UP IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454600
Incident
Apr 4, 2012
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2012

EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY 94 YJ, GAS SPILLS OUT THE BACK OF IT. THE PUMP KICKS OFF BUT AS IT KICKS OFF IT SPILLS AND I HAVE TO CLEAN THE GAS RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF THE JEEP. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BACK PRESSURE THAT KICKS OFF THE PUMP. I'M GUESSING THE FUEL COMPLETELY FILLS UP THE TUBE AND ONLY WHEN THE GAS HITS THE NOZZLE DOES IT SHUT OFF. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL MY TANK UP AND IS ALSO VERY UNSAFE TO DO SO, AS GAS SPILLING OUT THE BACK IS A FIRE HAZARD. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY JEEP OWNER DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. (HTTP://WWW.JEEPFORUM.COM/FORUM/F176/HAVE-FUEL-SPILL-PROBLEMS-LIKE-MANY-US-SUBMIT-COMPLAINT-FORCE-RECALL-974337/) SO HERE I AM FILING MY COMPLAINT, I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF BEING SOAKED IN GAS EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL MY TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442218
Incident
Mar 2, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 21, 2011

FAILURE OF FUEL TANK SEAL CREATING FIRE HAZARD. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS A COMMON FAILURE, EITHER AT FILLER NEXT OR FUEL PUMP SEAL.

NHTSA ID
10384886
Incident
Nov 4, 2010
Mileage
122,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP WRANGLER. DURING AN EMISSIONS TEST, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND SEVERAL DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,656.

NHTSA ID
10237079
Incident
Aug 5, 2008
Mileage
91,656 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)

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

9002849

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.

9002849

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.

1802002

FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

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
1994Viewing1514563.0
19931085563.0
1992776661.1
1991768460.6
19907971066.7
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.