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1987 Jeep WranglerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1987 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

89
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years87% below the Wrangler median · #37 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3814 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem12Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 18, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Jeep Wrangler has problems

38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline124
Seat belts72
Engine and engine cooling54
Electrical system42
Power train20
Visibility20
Fuel system, other21
Visibility/wiper10
Unknown10
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1987 Jeep Wrangler recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 94V-106 · Jun 9, 1994 · 230,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V-148 · Oct 14, 1992 · 280,000 vehicles

Risk. EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 88V-155 · Sep 29, 1988 · 75,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE DISLOCATION AND BINDING OF THE WIPERSYSTEM LINKAGE WHICH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY ANDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other Wrangler year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Wrangler median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Jeep Wrangler, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFEREA92014 · closed May 28, 1993
    No recall
  2. SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILSEA93031 · closed Jun 17, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-106
  3. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94031 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  4. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE88058 · closed Oct 21, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-155
  5. SAFETY BELT RETRACTORPE89151 · closed Dec 11, 1989
    No recall
  6. FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFERPE92016 · closed May 22, 1992
    No recall
  7. EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRESPE92075 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  8. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE94037 · closed Aug 30, 1994
    No recall
  9. SEAT BACK FAILUREPE95020 · closed Jul 28, 1995
    No recall
  10. FUEL LEAKAGERQ97016 · closed Jun 30, 1998
    Led to recall 94V-106
In owners' words

What Wrangler owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

GAS TANK CAUGHT ON FIRE. BURNED HOLE IN GAS TANK ALL GAS LEAKED ON GROUND. TT AT FIRST THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK TO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE AND STARTED FIRE. *YH
Complaint 975694 · Nov 29, 1995
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#94V106000) & CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & AFTER ARRIVING, WAS INFORMED COULD NOT REPAIR DUE TO NOT HAVING THE PARTS READILY AVAILABLE. *AK
Complaint 819493 · Oct 28, 1997
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#94V106000). CALLED DEALER & TOOK VEHICLE IN ON THE APPOINTED DATE. WAS INFORMED COULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE DUE TO NOT HAVING THE PARTS READILY AVAILABLE. *AK
Complaint 817752 · Oct 28, 1997

Own a 1987 Wrangler?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.