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1990 Jeep WranglerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 79 owner complaints about the 1990 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

83
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years79% below the Wrangler median · #32 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7914 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 13, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Jeep Wrangler has problems

79 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, gasoline182
Parking brake173
Seats122
Service brakes, hydraulic102
Engine and engine cooling70
Seat belts60
Power train52
Electrical system42
Suspension30
9 other systems152

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

4 recalls

1990 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

Disc: rotor

Recall 98V-005 · Jan 12, 1998 · 293,369 vehicles

Risk. THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

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

1990 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 1990 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. SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILSPE93080 · closed Dec 15, 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. REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATIONPE95049 · closed Jan 26, 1996
    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.

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE…
Complaint 10744164 · Jul 28, 2015
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS FUMES. THESE FUMES APPEARED WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. REGARDLESS OF DAY/NIGHT OR WHEN PARKED. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR A GAS LEAK. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A LEAK OR CRACKS IN…
Complaint 10117698 · Apr 11, 2005 · 80,000 miles
THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN VEHICLE AND FUEL IS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. DEALER CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF LEAK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.AK
Complaint 8013690 · Jul 10, 2002

Own a 1990 Wrangler?

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