1990 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
- 80
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 10
- Top problem
- Fuel system, gasoline
Campaigns on file for 1990
Opened by NHTSA
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
1990: 80 complaints
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 | 372 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 485 |
| 2012 | 835 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 658 |
| 2015 | 477 |
| 2016 | 461 |
| 2017 | 312 |
| 2018 | 1,823 |
| 2019 | 746 |
| 2020 | 616 |
| 2021 | 953 |
| 2022 | 411 |
| 2023 | 373 |
| 2024 | 752 |
| 2025 | 71 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Fuel system, gasoline
24% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle caught on fire while driving underneath.unknown source. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-13
Carburetor failure, causing intermittent stalling.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-16
Parking brake
21% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing conventional and mechanical.
Show complaint excerpts
My 1990 Jeep Wrangler was parked in my driveway. The emergency parking brake released on its own causing the vehicle to roll down the driveway striking another vehicle parked at the end of the driveway. Damage was caused to both vehicles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-14
Dealership does not have the parts for parking brakes recall. Mr
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-01
Seats
15% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing recliner.
Show complaint excerpts
Had an accident, driver's side reclining seat broke. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-12
Service brakes
15% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Engine and engine cooling
13% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1992-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-05-22 Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
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1992-05-22Engineering analysisClosed 1993-05-28 Fuel tank/exhaust interfer
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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…
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I
1993-09-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-15 Sending unit gasket fails
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1993-10-29Engineering analysisClosed 1994-11-25 Driveshaft/univ.joint fail
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1993-12-15Engineering analysisClosed 1994-06-17 Sending unit gasket fails
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1994-04-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-08-30 Seat belt buckle failure
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1994-08-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Seat belt buckle failure
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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.
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1995-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-07-28 Seat back failure
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1995-08-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-01-26 Rear axle shaft separation
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1997-10-27Recall queryClosed 1998-06-30 Fuel leakage
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1998-03-09Service brakes, hydraulic98V005000 Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
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2002-09-30Parking brake02V041000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the parking brake can self-release without warning.
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…
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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…
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1990 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Fuel system, gasoline: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Parking brake: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Seats: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 92V148000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 94V106000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 98V005000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 02V041000 · Parking brake
- Recall 04E041000 · Equipment
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1990 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Jeep Wrangler is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1990 Jeep Wrangler?
- The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1990 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.