Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Jeep Wagoneer
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
216.7%
Steering
216.7%
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Seats
18.3%
Seat Belts
18.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Electrical System
18.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 2Jun 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Jeep Wagoneer
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE89151Opened 11 Aug 1989Closed 11 Dec 1989SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
===
EA88025Opened 10 Mar 1988Closed 3 Oct 1989VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
STALLING
ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:THE MULTI-POINT INJECTIONSYSTEM (MPI) USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS HAD WIRING HARNESS FAILUREAND FAILURE OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CPS).BOTH FAILURES HAVE A HIGHFREQUENCY AND ARE THE SUBJECT OF JEEP TASK FORCES.NUMEROUS MODIFICATIONSTO BOTH ITEMS HAVE BEEN MADE.ANALYSIS:THE STALLING PROBLEM IS SEMI-INTERMITTENT, THAT IS WIRINGHARNESS FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS WHERE THEHARNESS IS DISTURBED (CORNERING AND ROUGH ROAD).CPS FAILURE CAN OCCUR ANYTIME, BUT FAILURE APPEARS TO BE ACCENTUATED BY HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES(EX...
PE88029Opened 23 Feb 1988Closed 19 Sep 1988VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE CONTROL
SUMMARY:THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDERENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES.AREVIEW OF THE ODI FILES HAD INDICATED THAT 1987-1988 JEEP VEHICLESEQUIPPED WITH THE 4.O LITER ENGINE ALSO WERE EXPERIENCING SOME THROTTLECONTROL PROBLEM.A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THE AVAILABLEINCIDENT REPORTS DOES NOT INDICATE THAT A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND EXISTSOR IS DEVELOPING.THE WARRANTY CLAIMS ATTENUATE, AND THE ALLEDGEDINCIDENTS APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FAC...
PE88001Opened 23 Oct 1987Closed 28 Jan 1988POWER TRAIN
FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
Recalls on the 1987 Jeep Wagoneer
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199307164,277 units in Canada
Emissions
NOTE: JEEP VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES, RENAULT VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITRE ENGINES AND EAGLE PREMIER VEHICLES WITH 2.5 AND 3 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR COULD LEAD TO POOR FUEL/AIR CONTROL AND REDUCED CATALYST EFFICIENCY WHICH MAY INCREASE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: OXYGEN SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN.
Recall 19890301,153 units in Canada
Brakes
VEHICLES WITH 2.1 LITRE TURBO DIESEL ENGINES HAVE BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM TANKS WHICH MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT. SUCH LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: BRAKE VACUUM TANKS WHICH ARE MORE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING BUMPER IMPACT WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19870381,977 units in Canada
Engine
VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH OUT-OF- TOLERANCE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES WHICH COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE SPEED FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND SUSPECT THROTTLE BODIES REPLACED.
Recall 1987034247 units in Canada
Engine
CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT HOLD SET POINT. WHEN SET BUTTON IS PRESSED, VEHICLE SPEED WILL HUNT ABOVE AND BELOW SET POINT. INCONSISTENT VEHICLE SPEED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED.
Recall 198614449 units in Canada
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0 LITRE I-6 ENGINE, A STUD INSTALLED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY CHAFE ON THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: STUD WILL BE REMOVED FROM MANIFOLD AND FUEL SUPPLY HOSE AND LINE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON VEHICLES WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE.
Recall 1986143600 units in Canada
Steering
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A STEERING LINKAGE COUPLER WHICH IS OUT OF TOLERANCE. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FRONT END MISALIGNMENT WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND OUT-OF-TOLERANCE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS WILL BE REPLACED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELK River, MNCrashFire2 injured1 killed
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE GAS TANK RUPTURING DURING A REAR END ACCIDENT. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, IN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE FIRE ENGULFED THE ENTIRE REAR END, RESULTING IN A FATALITY AND TWO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #520793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SAN Francisco, CA
TIRES
SEE LETTER SENT VIA USMAIL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #762798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
00 T 005 000/TREAD SEPARATION: RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING ON A DIRT ROAD AT 25-30 MPH, NOTICE A FLAPPING SOUND BEFORE THE PROBLEM COMMENCE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN A 1987 JEEP, WAGENEER; AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT INSTALL AT 80400 MILES, DOT UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #873205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennewick, WA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON A TRIP AND AT 65 MPH WENT OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AS SUSPENSION TRAVELED FELT LIKE THE DRIVE LINE WAS COMMING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN.SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DID INDEED BOTTON OUT NOT THE SUSPENSION. ALSO STEERING WHEEL BROKE LOOSE ON THIS TRIP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE INSIDE SHAFT AND HAS SENCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT DEVELOPED GRINDING LEAVING STOP LIGHTS.I SUSPECTED SOMETHING BOTTOMING OUT HURT TRANSMISSION,I SEARCHED THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE IN REAR.TOOK TO JEEP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND ASKED ABOUT DRIVE LINE BEING TO LOND AND DAMAGING THR TRANSFER CASE.THEY HAVE JEEP WEEK AND CALL SAY NOTHING AT ALL WRONG AND CHANGED FLUID AND DO AT THIS TIME SAY YES THEY KNOW ABOUT TO LONG DRIVE LINE BUT THEY DON'T THINK THATS IT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY.TRANSMISSION HEAR GEAR WHINE I SUSPECT THEY DID NOT LOOK INTO DRIVE LINE SO I ENGAGE TRANSFER CASE IN DRIVEWAY AND IT LOCKED INTO DRIVE AND EXTREAME BREAKING SOUND HEARD AND NOW DOES NOTHING BUT GRINDS.I CALL JEEP TELL I HAVE YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS TRANSFER CASE DAMAGE WITH THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE HE SAYS LET ME SEE.I READ PART NUMBER OFF MY DRIVE LINE AND COMPAIR TO WHAT BULLETIN SAYS SHOULD BE RIGHT PART NUMBER.CLEARLY I HAVE THE TO LONG A SHAFT. JEEP DEALER SAYS OH WELL.I CALL JEEP CUST SERVICE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM.THEY SAY THERE IS NO SUCH PROBLEM WITH JEEP DRIVE LINE TO LONG AND THIS IS WAY OUT OF WARRENTY I SAY I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT HAD THE PROPER LINE BEEN INSTALLED THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE BOTTOMED OUT AND BROKE AN 1800.00 TRANSFER CASE. JEEP CORP SAYS OH WELL WE ARN'T REPLACING YOUR TRANSFER CASE AND WILL NOT EVEN HELP IT'S MY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT WARRENTY.ACCORDING TO YOUR NOTICE #8706..ITEM#92817 DRIVE LINE COULD HAVE BROKE AND AT 65 MPH COULD HAVE POSSABLE CAUSED WRECK OR WORSE MY SON WAS IN THE REAR SEAT. JEEP DEALER HERE SAYS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE DRIVE LINES.JEEP CORP CLAIMS NO SUCH THING SO I OWN IT..YES I DO.
NHTSA complaint #711688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennewick, WA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
ON A TRIP AND AT 65 MPH WENT OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AS SUSPENSION TRAVELED FELT LIKE THE DRIVE LINE WAS COMMING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN.SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DID INDEED BOTTON OUT NOT THE SUSPENSION. ALSO STEERING WHEEL BROKE LOOSE ON THIS TRIP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE INSIDE SHAFT AND HAS SENCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT DEVELOPED GRINDING LEAVING STOP LIGHTS.I SUSPECTED SOMETHING BOTTOMING OUT HURT TRANSMISSION,I SEARCHED THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE IN REAR.TOOK TO JEEP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND ASKED ABOUT DRIVE LINE BEING TO LOND AND DAMAGING THR TRANSFER CASE.THEY HAVE JEEP WEEK AND CALL SAY NOTHING AT ALL WRONG AND CHANGED FLUID AND DO AT THIS TIME SAY YES THEY KNOW ABOUT TO LONG DRIVE LINE BUT THEY DON'T THINK THATS IT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY.TRANSMISSION HEAR GEAR WHINE I SUSPECT THEY DID NOT LOOK INTO DRIVE LINE SO I ENGAGE TRANSFER CASE IN DRIVEWAY AND IT LOCKED INTO DRIVE AND EXTREAME BREAKING SOUND HEARD AND NOW DOES NOTHING BUT GRINDS.I CALL JEEP TELL I HAVE YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS TRANSFER CASE DAMAGE WITH THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE HE SAYS LET ME SEE.I READ PART NUMBER OFF MY DRIVE LINE AND COMPAIR TO WHAT BULLETIN SAYS SHOULD BE RIGHT PART NUMBER.CLEARLY I HAVE THE TO LONG A SHAFT. JEEP DEALER SAYS OH WELL.I CALL JEEP CUST SERVICE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM.THEY SAY THERE IS NO SUCH PROBLEM WITH JEEP DRIVE LINE TO LONG AND THIS IS WAY OUT OF WARRENTY I SAY I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT HAD THE PROPER LINE BEEN INSTALLED THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE BOTTOMED OUT AND BROKE AN 1800.00 TRANSFER CASE. JEEP CORP SAYS OH WELL WE ARN'T REPLACING YOUR TRANSFER CASE AND WILL NOT EVEN HELP IT'S MY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT WARRENTY.ACCORDING TO YOUR NOTICE #8706..ITEM#92817 DRIVE LINE COULD HAVE BROKE AND AT 65 MPH COULD HAVE POSSABLE CAUSED WRECK OR WORSE MY SON WAS IN THE REAR SEAT. JEEP DEALER HERE SAYS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE DRIVE LINES.JEEP CORP CLAIMS NO SUCH THING SO I OWN IT..YES I DO.
NHTSA complaint #711688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM IS ENCLOSED WITH NO PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PLASTIC FILL BOTTLE EXPLODING IF ENGINE OVERHEATS. (1ST VEHICLE ON DOC# 607835).
NHTSA complaint #544283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Alamos, NM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO THE MONTH THAT VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED (87V-022).
NHTSA complaint #626229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELK River, MNCrashFire2 injured1 killed
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE GAS TANK RUPTURING DURING A REAR END ACCIDENT. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, IN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE FIRE ENGULFED THE ENTIRE REAR END, RESULTING IN A FATALITY AND TWO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #520793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lockport, IL
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS.
NHTSA complaint #504351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisonbu, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERPENTINE IDLER PULLEY BELT BEARING FAILED. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #500254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisonbu, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING FUEL PUMP/FUEL INJECTION TO CONTINUE RUNNING EVEN WITH KEY REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #500254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
SEAT BELTS
PURCHASE JEEP NEW AND THE FRONT SEAT BELT AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT NEVER WORK KEEP TAKING IT TO THE DEALER SAY DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIX THE SEAT BELT . TT
NHTSA complaint #967853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, NY
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE UPON APPLYING BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #482940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.