1978 Jeep CJ5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1978 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Column is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering:Column | 1 |
Steering:Column: 1
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
2007: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Column leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10189536 · 2007-05-02 (May 2, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1978 JEEP CJ5. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200, REBUILT ENGINE, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS VERY LOOSE WHERE THE COLUMN JOINED THE SHAFT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT ONE COULD HEAR THE STEERING COLUMN RATTLING. THE STEERING COLUMN GOT WORSE WITH TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189536 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
78V039000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1978-02-17 (February 17, 1978)
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLATE SEAL IMPROPERLY SEATED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW A GRADUAL TRANSFER OF LUBRICANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSFER CASE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE LUBRICANT LEVELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REAR OIL SEALS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗78V049000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1978-03-09 (March 9, 1978)
THE COUPLING WHICH ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE OVERSIZED SERRATIONS WHICH COULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM BEING PROPERLY TIGHTENED IN THE STEERING GEAR SHAFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS MAY ALSO CAUSE FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Remedy: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE COUPLINGS REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗