NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Fuel Pump
928.1%
Buckle Assembly
515.6%
Conventional
515.6%
Gasoline
412.5%
Recliner
39.4%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
26.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
26.3%
Ignition
26.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
133.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
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.
Feb 1995peak 6Oct 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 Jeep Wrangler
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.
RQ97016Opened 27 Oct 1997Closed 30 Jun 1998FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL LEAKAGE
ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS ON FUEL LEAKAGE AND 3 REPORTS ON ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURE REPORTS
PE95020Opened 27 Mar 1995Closed 28 Jul 1995SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURE
EA94031Opened 30 Aug 1994Closed 30 Sep 1997SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
PE94037Opened 26 Apr 1994Closed 30 Aug 1994SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
EA93031Opened 15 Dec 1993Closed 17 Jun 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
PE92075Opened 9 Sep 1992Closed 29 Jan 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
EA92014Opened 22 May 1992Closed 28 May 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
PE92016Opened 5 Feb 1992Closed 22 May 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
Recalls on the 1988 Jeep Wrangler
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.
United States — NHTSA
07E064000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
04E041000
EQUIPMENT
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 COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
94V106000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
Risk: FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
92V148000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Risk: EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
88V155000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
WINDSHIELD FRAME METAL MAY CRACK AT THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTINGS DUE TO METAL STRESS DURING WIPER OPERATION.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE DISLOCATION AND BINDING OF THE WIPERSYSTEM LINKAGE WHICH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY ANDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 98,261 milesCleveland, TNCrash
PARKING BRAKE
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 1988 JEEP WRANGLER. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A FEW WEEKS. I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, IT FAILS AND RELEASES. EVERYTIME IT WOULD HAPPEN, IT WOULD HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY AND I WOULD SIMPLY RE-ENGAGE IT, EXCEPT FOR THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD MY JEEP PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. WHILE I WAS AT SCHOOL, THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AGAIN AND DISENGAGED. MY JEEP, THEN, ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND HIT A TREE IN MY BACKYARD. THIS HAPPENED JUST THE OTHER DAY AND IT IS STILL IN THE SAME POSITION AS I FOUND IT WHEN I CAME HOME. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT YET.
NHTSA complaint #10319262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redmond, WACrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
HAVE REPLACE PARKING BRAKE ASSY TWICE SINCE PURCHASED. CRASH WAS INTO MY HOUSE WHEN PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED IN DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #763903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NVCrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY JEEP HAS A TENDANCY TO DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE I WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, IT DISENGAGED IN A PARKING LOT AND CAUSED MY JEEP TO ROLL BACK ONTO A NEW FORD MUSTANG, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND APPEARING ON MY INSURANCE RECORD AS A FAILURE ON MY PART TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #731804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Quinta, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VEHICLE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE.
NHTSA complaint #520875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evergreen, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING, PULLED TO SIDE, NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER BODY, FIRE SPREAD FROM ENGINE TO CAB, VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #806002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE JEEP STALLED, WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE .
NHTSA complaint #801759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 116,000 milesFort Worth, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN FILLING MY 1988 JEEP WRANGLER WITH GASOLINE, THE GASOLINE TANK WILL OVERFLOW WITH GASOLINE BEFORE THE PUMP WILL SHUT-OFF. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I FILL UP, REGARDLESS OF ORIENTATION OF THE VEHICLE (I.E. UP HILL, DOWN HILL, LEVEL). THE ONLY WAY I CAN TRY AND PREVENT THIS HAZARDOUS SITUATION FROM OCCURRING IS TO TRY AND PREMATURELY STOP THE FLOW OF GASOLINE. SINCE I HAVE TO GUESS AT HOW MUCH GASOLINE IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FILL UP, AND I'M NOT ALWAYS CORRECT, THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. BECAUSE THIS OCCURS, IT HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE GASOLINE FILLER AND THE PAINT BENEATH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10358727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,261 milesCleveland, TNCrash
PARKING BRAKE
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 1988 JEEP WRANGLER. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A FEW WEEKS. I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, IT FAILS AND RELEASES. EVERYTIME IT WOULD HAPPEN, IT WOULD HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY AND I WOULD SIMPLY RE-ENGAGE IT, EXCEPT FOR THIS LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD MY JEEP PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. WHILE I WAS AT SCHOOL, THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AGAIN AND DISENGAGED. MY JEEP, THEN, ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND HIT A TREE IN MY BACKYARD. THIS HAPPENED JUST THE OTHER DAY AND IT IS STILL IN THE SAME POSITION AS I FOUND IT WHEN I CAME HOME. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX IT YET.
NHTSA complaint #10319262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesEast Hill, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATED WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellefonte, PA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
1989 AND NEWER HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHAT ABOUT MY 1988? MR
NHTSA complaint #768286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redmond, WACrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
HAVE REPLACE PARKING BRAKE ASSY TWICE SINCE PURCHASED. CRASH WAS INTO MY HOUSE WHEN PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED IN DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #763903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Croton, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD FRAME SEVERELY RUSTED AFTER WINDSHIELD FRAME REPLACED BY DEALER ON TSB 271T . BOTH DEALER AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SUPPORT REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE INHERENT METAL FAILURE OF REPLACEMENT FRAME ESPECIALLY WHEN PROVEN THAT THE ORIGINAL CAR BODY EXHIBITS NO RUST WHILE THE REPLACEMENT FRAME INSTALLED AT A LATTER DATE EXHIBITS SEVERE RUST.
NHTSA complaint #745864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NVCrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY JEEP HAS A TENDANCY TO DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE I WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, IT DISENGAGED IN A PARKING LOT AND CAUSED MY JEEP TO ROLL BACK ONTO A NEW FORD MUSTANG, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND APPEARING ON MY INSURANCE RECORD AS A FAILURE ON MY PART TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #731804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
River Ridge, LA
SEATS
THE SEAT TRACKS ON THE JEEP WRANGLER MODEL FAIL, WITH THE METAL TEARING WHERE A BOLT FASTENS INTO THE SEAT. THIS CAUSES SEAT INSTABILITY AND CAN CAUSE WRECKS OR INJURIES. I FOUND OUT MORE THAN 70 OF THE SAME PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER, WITH NO DATE FOR ARRIVAL GIVEN. MY FIRST TRACK BROKE LAST YEAR, MY SECOND YESTERDAY. I'VE HAD AN ORDER IN FOR BOTH FOR A MONTH NOW. I BELIEVE THE HIGH NUMBER OF ORDERS SHOWS A DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY DEADLY RISK TO DRIVERS WHERE THE MODEL IS SOLD.
NHTSA complaint #718595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FUEL FUMES.NO LEAKS. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #846011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TROUBLE WITH RECALL WORK, CONSUMER HAD ADDITIONAL CHARGES WHEN RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS DONE ON THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #527950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester SP, PA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH WILL NOT BUCKLE.
NHTSA complaint #535855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Imperial, MO
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGES BY ITSELF REGARDLESS IF ON A HILL OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #533136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Imperial, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #535756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livingston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TAIL PIPE IS ANGLED AND THE END IS ON THE EDGE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
NHTSA complaint #526187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livingston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
GASOLINE SMELL ENTERS VEHICLE WHILE IDLING.
NHTSA complaint #526187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebrook, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ENGINE FAILURES. ALSO REPLACED IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #523197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebrook, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ENGINE FAILURES. ALSO REPLACED IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #523197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Quinta, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VEHICLE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE.
NHTSA complaint #520875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP AND BRAKES RECALLED. OWNER INTERESTED IN RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER WITH REGUARD TO RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #546626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FUEL PUMP AND BRAKES RECALLED. OWNER INTERESTED IN RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER WITH REGUARD TO RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #546626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evergreen, COFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING, PULLED TO SIDE, NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER BODY, FIRE SPREAD FROM ENGINE TO CAB, VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #806002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medford, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION IN PLACE IS HELD ON WITH TWO BOLTS, BOTH HEADS SHEARED OFF; ALSO, REPLACED LEAKING ENGINE VALVE COVER.
NHTSA complaint #803939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medford, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION IN PLACE IS HELD ON WITH TWO BOLTS, BOTH HEADS SHEARED OFF; ALSO, REPLACED LEAKING ENGINE VALVE COVER.
NHTSA complaint #803939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milltown, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EVERYTIME IT RAINS, PUDDLES OF WATER DEVELOP ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE WATER COMES FROM WITHIN THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #803519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington Heights, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #802976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.