1990 Jeep WRANGLER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10017472 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AUGUST 2002. TO DATE THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024327 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD WARPING AND CRACKING THE MANIFOLD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032223 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
PROBLEMS GETTING RECALL REPAIRS DONE TO VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A SERVICE WRITER THAT THERE MAYBE SOME OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE IN REGARDS TO "A BROKEN BRACKET. THE CONSUMER WAS UNEASED ABOUT THE STATEMENT AND FELT THE ESTABLISHMENT WAS AN UNTRUSTWORTHINESS BUSINESS. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110876 · 2004-12-21 (December 21, 2004)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE 1991. *BF THE BRAKE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS DEALER'S WHO REPLACED MULTIPLE COMPONENTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111025 · 2005-03-02 (March 2, 2005)
WHILE LEANING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT IT BROKE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE BACK OF THE SEAT FELL OFF THE SEAT WAS NOT A RECLINER WAS STATIONARY. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111025 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V041000 · Parking Brake:Conventional
Reported: 2002-02-07 (February 7, 2002)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 ↗98V005000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
Reported: 1998-01-12 (January 12, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.
Consequence: THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗