Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1987 Jeep Wrangler, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline12
- Seat belts7
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Electrical system4
- Power train2
- Fuel system, other2
- Visibility2
- Structure1
- Service brakes1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 1987 Wrangler vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1987 Jeep Wrangler failed the safety check 0.39% of the time — 50% less often than the average 1987 passenger car (0.78%). Median odometer at inspection: 131,036 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
107 first registered in 1987 are on Dutch roads; 80% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm28
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen19
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde19
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld10
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot9
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse6
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling6
- Gordel beschadigd5
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
0 cars built in 1987 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
2 1987 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
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 LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE SPLASH SHIELD IN CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
WINDSHIELD FRAME METAL MAY CRACK AT THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTINGS DUE TO METAL STRESS DURING WIPER OPERATION.
CRUISE CONTROL MODULE COULD HAVE INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION.
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED. ALSO, THE STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IMPROPERLY TIGHTEN WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY CAUSE THE LUGS TO BREAK AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE WHEEL FALLING OFF. IMPROPERLY TIGHTEN STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLT MAY CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jeep told its dealers about the 1987 Jeep Wrangler: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 43049 | UNKNOWN |
| 43048 | UNKNOWN |
| 10175510 | DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A) |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL LEAKAGE
SEAT BACK FAILURE
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation