Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1989 Jeep Wrangler, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline19
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Parking brake9
- Electrical system7
- Power train7
- Seats5
- Visibility4
- Seat belts4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Unknown or other2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 1989 Wrangler vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them, and 2 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 1989 Jeep Wrangler failed the safety check 0.69% of the time — 14% less often than the average 1989 passenger car (0.81%). Median odometer at inspection: 137,303 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
72 first registered in 1989 are on Dutch roads; 67% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen12
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde8
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse6
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld6
- Richtingaanwijzer werkt niet (goed)5
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)5
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot5
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 1989 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 6 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
7 1989 cars are on the New Zealand register; 71% arrived as used imports, 14% 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.
WINDSHIELD FRAME METAL MAY CRACK AT THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTINGS DUE TO METAL STRESS DURING WIPER OPERATION.
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.
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.
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 1989 Jeep Wrangler: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 618049 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB |
| 609995 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT |
| 6088786 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM |
| 600862 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK |
| 52963 | VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC |
| 51942 | DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW |
| 46153 | APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.2L ENGINE AND FEDERAL HIGH ALTITUDE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. FUEL VAPORS MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY. THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE IDLE SPEEDS MUST BE RESET. |
| 43047 | UNKNOWN |
| 39015 | IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN EMISSION RELATED COMPONENTS OF THE 1989 JEEP EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS STANDARDS. HYDROCARBONS, CARBON MONOXIDE AND OXIDES OF NITROGEN COULD BE ABOVE THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS, WHICH WERE ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH FROM THE DANGERS OF AIR POLLUTION. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSE AND IF EQUIPPED, THE TRANSFER CASE VACUUM HOSE AND FUEL TANK VENT BOOT. IN ADDITION |
| 39013 | IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR ON CERTAIN 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE, COMANCHE AND WRANGLER MODELS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR MAY CAUSE YOUR VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. *TW |
| 39012 | SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #556. *TW |
| 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
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation