1990 Jeep WRANGLER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
110,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Parking Brake is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 62 complaints (9.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 32.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 14.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Parking Brake | 6 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 6 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
Parking Brake: 6; Parking Brake:Conventional: 6; Seats: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 54 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 22; 1996: 5; 2000: 5; 2001: 3; 2002: 12; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Parking Brake leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010452 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
MY 1990 JEEP WRANGLER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE RELEASED ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVEWAY STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO BOTH VEHICLES. I WAS LATER NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF A RECALL ON THE PARKING BRAKE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE FIXED BY TERMS OF THE RECALL AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 209,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011762 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117698 · 2005-04-11 (April 11, 2005)
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 THE GAS TANK. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SMELL LIKE GAS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117698 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10744164 · 2015-07-28 (July 28, 2015)
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 ROAD.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10744164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020616 · 2002-10-10 (October 10, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE SOME BOLTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ARE COMING LOOSE. CONTACTED DEALER. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969339 · 1995-07-24 (July 24, 1995)
[phone removed]: WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURNS OR TO STOP, ENGINE STALLS; LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962999 · 1995-04-04 (April 4, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC DUE TO DEFECTIVE CARBURETOR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013531 · 2002-07-09 (July 9, 2002)
EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASES INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION ,AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. CONSUMER CANNOT EVEN ENGAGE EMERGENCY BRAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013531 at NHTSA ↗