Total Complaints
14 filings
JEEP GRAND WAGONEER · model year
1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER
14 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986JEEPGRAND WAGONEER carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 GRAND WAGONEER is equipment:appliance:air conditioner with 1 filings, followed by seat belts:front:buckle assembly (1) and electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 29 investigation files overlapping the 1986 GRAND WAGONEER, and 3 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
14
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
Recent Complaints
19991214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19991214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TI
19981217FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASHBOARD.
19960214SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT
19951012EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
COOLANT LEAKED INTO HEATER/AC HOUSING, AC IS NO LONG WORKING. TT
Compare 1986JEEPGRAND WAGONEER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 3 Open
PE25014Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
PE24024Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Underhood fires
RQ24012Recall QueryOpen
Loss of Motive Power
PE22013Preliminary EvaluationClosed
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
PE22009Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER have?▼
The 1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER has 14 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER is EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH.
Is the 1986 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.