JEEP WRANGLER · model year

1990 JEEP WRANGLER

105 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990JEEPWRANGLER carries 105 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 2 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 1990 WRANGLER is parking brake:conventional with 8 filings, followed by parking brake (7) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (6). 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 3 investigation files overlapping the 1990 WRANGLER. 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.

105
Complaints
6
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

105 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL8
PARKING BRAKE7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
SEATS6
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2

Recent Complaints

20180313UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL IS NOT BEING HONORED BY CHRYSLER

20151103PARKING BRAKE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V041000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

20151001SERVICE BRAKES

CHRYSLER IS NOT HONORING /REPAIRING THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE EMISSION/SAFETY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE, EXPLOSION TO NOT ONLY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO ITS OCCUPANTS TO INCLUDE TRANSIT. CHRYSLER HAS IGNORED THE FACTS THAT THESE RECALLS BUT BE REPAIRED.

Mileage: 120,000

20151001FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHRYSLER IS NOT HONORING /REPAIRING THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE EMISSION/SAFETY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE, EXPLOSION TO NOT ONLY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO ITS OCCUPANTS TO INCLUDE TRANSIT. CHRYSLER HAS IGNORED THE FACTS THAT THESE RECALLS BUT BE REPAIRED.

Mileage: 120,000

20151001VISIBILITY/WIPER

CHRYSLER IS NOT HONORING /REPAIRING THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE EMISSION/SAFETY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE, EXPLOSION TO NOT ONLY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO ITS OCCUPANTS TO INCLUDE TRANSIT. CHRYSLER HAS IGNORED THE FACTS THAT THESE RECALLS BUT BE REPAIRED.

Mileage: 120,000

20150826FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WERE ODORS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SIGNS OF THE FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E064000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20150728ENGINE

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

20150728POWER TRAIN

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

20150728FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

20150728PARKING BRAKE

RECALL 617 WAS NOT REPLACED. E BRAKE CABLES NOT REPLACED. DID NOT REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I HAD TO GET, TWO NEW DIFFERENTIALS AND CLUTCH IN LESS THAN A YEAR. WITH THE NEW RECALLS LISTED IN THE PAPER WHAT ABOUT MY GAS TANK? THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

20141111SUSPENSION

FRAME BROKE AT REAR DRIVERSIDE LEAFSPRING. SHACKLE MOUNT ALSO REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKE OFF. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20090709SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JEEP AND CHRYSLER DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V0148000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THERE IS A BOLT UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE LINE THAT CANNOT BE LOOSENED. IF THE BOLT BECOMES LOOSE, IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB

Mileage: 101,000

20050411FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 80,000

20050217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

20050207SEATS

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

20030813PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

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

20030618ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD WARPING AND CRACKING THE MANIFOLD.*AK

Mileage: 99,000

20030618ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD WARPING AND CRACKING THE MANIFOLD.*AK

Mileage: 99,000

20030423PARKING BRAKE

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AUGUST 2002. TO DATE THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE RECALLED PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *NLM

20030314PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE.*JB

Compare 1990JEEPWRANGLER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 JEEP WRANGLER have?
The 1990 JEEP WRANGLER has 105 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 JEEP WRANGLER?
The most-complained component for the 1990 JEEP WRANGLER is PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include PARKING BRAKE and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.
Is the 1990 JEEP WRANGLER 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.