PlainCars

JEEP · vehicle model

JEEP CJ5

2 NHTSA complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 1978–1979.

Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Model years
2

The JEEPCJ5 appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 2 consumer safety complaints and 0 recall campaigns across 2 model years (1978–1979). That averages roughly 1 complaint per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year.

NHTSA has 29 investigation files tied to this model, with 3 currently open. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
19791
19781

Compare JEEPCJ5 to Similar Vehicles

JEEPCJ5 vs VOLVOFE7 → JEEPCJ5 vs VOLVOTD365 → JEEPCJ5 vs VOLVO420 → JEEPCJ5 vs VOLVOC70N →

NHTSA Investigations 3 Open

PE25014Preliminary EvaluationOpen2025-10-23

Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure

PE24024Preliminary EvaluationOpen2024-09-06

Underhood fires

RQ24012Recall QueryOpen2024-07-05

Loss of Motive Power

PE22013Preliminary EvaluationClosed2022-12-02

False overheat leading to loss of motive power

PE22009Preliminary EvaluationClosed2022-07-22

Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress

PE19011Preliminary EvaluationClosed2019-09-16

Seat Belt Retraction

PE19012Preliminary EvaluationClosed2019-09-16

Frame weld deficiencies

PE19008Preliminary EvaluationClosed2019-07-29

Seat belt buckle bracket failure

DP18004Defect PetitionClosed2018-11-16

Frame Weld Deficiencies

PE17003Preliminary EvaluationClosed2017-06-01

Occupant Restraint Controller Failure

View all 29 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the JEEP CJ5?▼
The JEEP CJ5 has received 2 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 1978 to 1979, with 0 recalls. That averages about 1 complaints per model year.
What years of JEEP CJ5 are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the JEEP CJ5 from 1978 to 1979 (2 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the JEEP CJ5 have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many JEEP CJ5 model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common JEEP CJ5 complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the JEEP CJ5 are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my JEEP CJ5 has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. JEEP CJ5 totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.