1989 Jeep Wrangler
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 41 |
| 1988 | 53 |
| 1989 | 63 |
| 1990 | 80 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1993 | 109 |
| 1994 | 159 |
| 1995 | 202 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 401 |
| 1998 | 265 |
| 1999 | 213 |
| 2000 | 251 |
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 108 |
| 2003 | 98 |
| 2004 | 192 |
| 2005 | 649 |
| 2006 | 730 |
| 2007 | 555 |
| 2008 | 873 |
| 2009 | 371 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 485 |
| 2012 | 833 |
| 2013 | 650 |
| 2014 | 654 |
| 2015 | 469 |
| 2016 | 460 |
| 2017 | 309 |
| 2018 | 1811 |
| 2019 | 737 |
| 2020 | 607 |
| 2021 | 910 |
| 2022 | 383 |
| 2023 | 344 |
| 2024 | 686 |
| 2025 | 62 |
| 2026 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
32% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing carburetor system and tank assembly.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO TRIED HAVE SERVICE DONE WITH NO SUCCESS VEHICLE BURNED UP. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950330
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). *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950310
19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19950411
14% of complaints: parking brake — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing conventional and linkage and cable.
CRASHShow 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, 20031013
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, 20030702
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, 20030428
13% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19941007
11% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file, 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, 20200130
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 90V168000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
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 LE
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 FA
Campaign 92V148000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 93V150000 — check if this car was fixed
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
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.
Campaign 94V106000 — check if this car was fixed
SEAT BACK FAILURE
FUEL LEAKAGE
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 COVE
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
Campaign 04E041000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 VEHIC
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.
Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1989 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for parking brake issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 90V168000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V148000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 93V150000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V106000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04E041000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.