MYRModel Year Report

1989 Jeep Wrangler

▲ Better than typical
1989 Jeep Wrangler
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:09:37.713Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
63
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
9

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 63 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2001 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2006 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2011: 485 complaints 2011 2012: 835 complaints 2013: 657 complaints 2014: 658 complaints 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2019: 746 complaints 2020: 616 complaints 2021: 953 complaints 2021 2022: 411 complaints 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 12 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 63 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2001 2002: 108 complaints 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2007 2008: 873 complaints 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 835 complaints 2013: 657 complaints 2013 2014: 658 complaints 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2019: 746 complaints 2019 2020: 616 complaints 2021: 953 complaints 2022: 411 complaints 2022 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2025 2026: 12 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 63 complaints 1989 63 1990: 80 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1992 1993: 109 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2000 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2004 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2006 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 873 complaints 2008 2009: 372 complaints 2010: 686 complaints 2010 2011: 485 complaints 2012: 835 complaints 2012 2013: 657 complaints 2014: 658 complaints 2014 2015: 477 complaints 2016: 461 complaints 2016 2017: 312 complaints 2018: 1,823 complaints 2018 2019: 746 complaints 2020: 616 complaints 2020 2021: 953 complaints 2022: 411 complaints 2022 2023: 373 complaints 2024: 752 complaints 2024 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 12 complaints 2026

1989: 63 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198741
198853
198963
199080
199177
199277
1993109
1994159
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008873
2009372
2010686
2011485
2012835
2013657
2014658
2015477
2016461
2017312
20181,823
2019746
2020616
2021953
2022411
2023373
2024752
202571
202612

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

32% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing carburetor system and tank assembly.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Receive recall notice several weeks ago tried have service done with no success vehicle burned up. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-30

Fuel tank sending unit gasket cracked, causing fuel/fuel vapor to leak, resulting in a fire prior to recall. Received recall letter on 95-03-10 (94V-106).

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-10

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving, vehicle caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-11

Parking brake

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing conventional and linkage and cable.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I received a recall notice for my 1993 Jeep Wrangler for a problem with the emergency brake release. We have a 89 Wrangler and this happens frequently. Why isn't it covered under the recall if it's the same brake system?

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-13

I own a 1989 Jeep Wrangler with a manual trasmission. On lately the parking brake has been self-releasing causing the the vehicle to roll down my driveway. On one occasion it hit my second vehicle parked behind it causing minor damage to the bumper.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-02

The consumer set the parking brake and exited vehicle. Without warning the parking brake released which caused the vehicle to roll backward which resulted in a collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-28

Electrical system

13% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Intermittent stalling.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-07

Power train

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing axle assembly and driveline.

Show complaint excerpts

Rear differential e-locker seized causing rear wheels to lock up, this happened luckily while the vehicle was in tow behind a motor-home going 20 miles per hour on a dirt road turning into a campground.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-30

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 9 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-10-26Fuel system, gasoline90V168000 In a rear impact collission, fuel tank may leak fuel in excess of amount allowed by FMVSS 301 because of misbuilt fuel tank skid plates.

    Remedy: Install flange on fuel tank skid plate.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1992-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-05-22 Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
  3. I
    1992-05-22Engineering analysisClosed 1993-05-28 Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
  4. I
    1992-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-01-29 Exhaust system fires
  5. R
    1993-02-26Service brakes, hydraulic92V148000 On 1987 through early 1990 models, both front brake hoses can wear due to direct contact with the wheel opening splash shields. On the late 1990 through 1992 models, periodic rubbing contact of the…

    Remedy: The 1987 to 1990 model vehicles will have both splash shields replaced and both front brake hoses replaced as necessary. All affected late 1990 through 1992 model year vehicles will have additional…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1993-10-07Visibility93V150000 Windshield frame metal may crack at the wiper arm pivot mountings due to metal stress during wiper operation.

    Remedy: Retrofit with a windshield frame reinforcement at the wiper pivot locations and install new redesigned linkage components to reduce stress at the pivot mountings.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1993-10-29Engineering analysisClosed 1994-11-25 Driveshaft/univ.joint fail
  8. I
    1993-12-15Engineering analysisClosed 1994-06-17 Sending unit gasket fails
  9. I
    1994-04-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-08-30 Seat belt buckle failure
  10. I
    1994-08-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Seat belt buckle failure
  11. R
    1995-01-03Fuel system, gasoline94V106000 Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks. The fuel tank sending unit gasket can crack causing fuel and fuel vapor leaks.

    Remedy: Replace the fuel tank sending unit gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    1995-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-07-28 Seat back failure
  13. I
    1997-10-27Recall queryClosed 1998-06-30 Fuel leakage
  14. R
    2004-06-16Equipment04E041000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Parking brake: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V168000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V148000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 93V150000 · Visibility
  • Recall 94V106000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04E041000 · Equipment
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Jeep Wrangler is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Jeep Wrangler?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Jeep Wrangler have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.