RoadVitals

1996 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.
2
Latest Aug 5, 2013
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.
1
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Jeep Wrangler, most frequently naming the electrical and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 11 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Steering150.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Aug 5, 2013

MY JEEP WRANGLER SUFFERED WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS A "DEATH WOBBLE". THIS VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW BY ME, WITH ALL ORIGINAL STOCK EQUIPMENT, TO INCLUDE TIRES WITH 6900 (SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED) MILES EXPERIENCED A SEVERE FRONT-END WOBBLE THAT NEARLY CAUSED A CAR BEHIND ME (AND SEVERAL OTHERS BEHIND IT) TO PILE-UP AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY USED FOR WEEKEND DRIVING AROUND TOWN AND IS GARAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TOWED NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. I PREVIOUSLY TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN VACAVILLE, CA TWO YEARS PRIOR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I DOUBT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY "TESTED" ON THE ROAD. TO CLARIFY, I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY TWICE. INCREDIBLY, THIS TIME (JULY 26, 2013) CHRYSLER JEEP VACAVILLE TOLD THAT STEERING STABILIZER AND RIGHT-SIDE BUSHING WAS "WORN" - $853.94 LATER, PROBLEM IS FIXED. I HAVE VEHICLE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED FOR YOUR EXAMINATION IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10533645
Incident
Jul 4, 2013
Mileage
6,845 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 11, 2008

SPEEDOMETER FAILS... ODOMETER FAILS.... TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES... PARTS HAVE BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR AND MANY TIMES AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237710
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
15,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

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)

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

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
1996Viewing210—
19952023362.9
19941514563.0
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.