1987 Jeep WRANGLER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
246,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 25 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 12.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 2 |
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: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 23 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 | 17 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 17; 1996: 4; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2012: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. 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 10475812 · 2012-09-18 (September 18, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING A RAIN STORM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS EXPIRED AND FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V150000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 361,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 280,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055305 · 2017-12-18 (December 18, 2017)
I ORDERED PRONTO BRAKE DRUM PART NUMBER BD80003. THE PART NUMBERS ARE CASTED INTO THE PART. THE DRUMS WERE DIFFERENT AND ONE OF THEM CAUSES THE WHEEL TO FREEZE. THE SOURCE OF THE PARTS FOR THE RETAILER SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE RETAILER RESHIPPED THE PARTS 3 TIMES, EACH TIME THE DRUMS RECEIVED WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS FORCED TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER BRAND.
Owner-reported narrative. 212,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482002 · 1995-03-09 (March 9, 1995)
ENGINE FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482202 · 1995-03-15 (March 15, 1995)
WINDSHIELD FRAME CRACKED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482937 · 1995-04-06 (April 6, 1995)
CLUTCH REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486950 · 1995-06-06 (June 6, 1995)
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487276 · 1995-10-30 (October 30, 1995)
FUEL PUMP CAUGHT FIRE(RECALL 94V106000). *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489262 · 1995-04-10 (April 10, 1995)
RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED BECAUSE OF AFTER-MARKET HITCH INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. (90V168) *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489262 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V058000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1986-05-02 (May 2, 1986)
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED. ALSO, THE STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IMPROPERLY TIGHTEN WHEEL LUG NUTS MAY CAUSE THE LUGS TO BREAK AND EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE WHEEL FALLING OFF. IMPROPERLY TIGHTEN STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLT MAY CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: PROPERLY TIGHTEN BOTH WHEEL LUG NUTS AND STEERING SHAFT CLAMP BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V022000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1987-02-25 (February 25, 1987)
CRUISE CONTROL MODULE COULD HAVE INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION.
Consequence: INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION COULD RESULT INLOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE MODULE, AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V155000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
Reported: 1988-09-29 (September 29, 1988)
WINDSHIELD FRAME METAL MAY CRACK AT THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTINGS DUE TO METAL STRESS DURING WIPER OPERATION.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DISLOCATION AND BINDING OF THE WIPERSYSTEM LINKAGE WHICH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY ANDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: RETROFIT WITH A WINDSHIELD FRAME REINFORCEMENT AT THE WIPER PIVOT LOCATIONS AND REDESIGNED LINKAGE COMPONENTS TO REDUCE STRESS AT THE PIVOT MOUNTINGS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V148000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1992-10-14 (October 14, 1992)
ON 1987 THROUGH EARLY 1990 MODELS, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES CAN WEAR DUE TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OPENING SPLASH SHIELDS. ON THE LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODELS, PERIODIC RUBBING CONTACT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE SPLASH SHIELD IN CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence: EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: THE 1987 TO 1990 MODEL VEHICLES WILL HAVE BOTH SPLASH SHIELDS REPLACED AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALL AFFECTED LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL FASTENERS INSTALLED TO FURTHER SECURE THE LEFT SIDE SPLASH SHIELD. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 1994-06-09 (June 9, 1994)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
Consequence: FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗