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1989 Jeep WranglerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 62 owner complaints about the 1989 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

84
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years81% below the Wrangler median · #33 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6219 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem19Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 30, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Jeep Wrangler has problems

62 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, gasoline198
Engine and engine cooling104
Parking brake94
Electrical system72
Power train70
Seats50
Visibility40
Seat belts40
Service brakes, hydraulic31
6 other systems80

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

4 recalls

1989 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

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 93V-150 · Sep 13, 1993 · 11,000 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 →

–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 →

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

1989 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
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Jeep Wrangler, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFEREA92014 · closed May 28, 1993
    No recall
  2. DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAILEA93025 · closed Nov 25, 1994
    No recall
  3. SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILSEA93031 · closed Jun 17, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-106
  4. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94031 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  5. FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFERPE92016 · closed May 22, 1992
    No recall
  6. EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRESPE92075 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  7. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE94037 · closed Aug 30, 1994
    No recall
  8. SEAT BACK FAILUREPE95020 · closed Jul 28, 1995
    No recall
  9. 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.

MARQUETTE PARK JEEP IN CHICAGO IL REFUSED TO DO RECALL FOR FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET UNTIL MECHANICS COMPLETE ACQUAINTANCES/FRIENDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Complaint 962265 · Mar 17, 1995
FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING FUEL/FUEL VAPOR TO LEAK, RESULTING IN A FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. RECEIVED RECALL LETTER ON 95-03-10 (94V-106). *AK
Complaint 961854 · Mar 10, 1995
CARBURATOR WAS RUNNING TOO MUCH FUEL TO EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BECOME CHERRY RED & CATCH ON FIRE IN BACK. UNDERBODY PAINT HAD BURNED. RUBBER MOUNTING HAD ALSO BURNED.*AK CONSUMER FEELS THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. *SLC
Complaint 881649 · Feb 27, 2001

Own a 1989 Wrangler?

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