JEEP WRANGLER · model year

1994 JEEP WRANGLER

184 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994JEEPWRANGLER carries 184 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 8 fires, 5 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 1994 WRANGLER is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 13 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (12) and parking brake (10). 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 1994 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.

184
Complaints
17
Crashes
8
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

184 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY12
PARKING BRAKE10
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR9
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY6
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH6
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM4

Recent Complaints

20220330CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

The jeep flipped going down an accessway and bent the entire roll bar.

20220330CrashSUSPENSION

The jeep flipped going down an accessway and bent the entire roll bar.

20160421SERVICE BRAKES

PARKING BREAK SELF RELEASES. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER THE RECALL WAS DONE MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND IS THEREFORE NO LONGER COVERED. HOW CAN CHRYSLER NOT COVER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY BEGIN ROLLING DOWN A SLOPE WITH NO WARNING. THE BREAK WILL HOLD FOR A FEW MINUTES OR EVEN LONGER AND THEN RELEASE.. IF THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS OF THIS FAULTY A DESIGN WHY CAN IT NOT BE NOT BE REPLACED WITH A MORE DEPENDABLE ONE. IS THERE A REPLACEMENT "KIT" FOR THE RECALL? FURTHERMORE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP/SENSOR GASKET AT TOP OF FUEL TANK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL. I REPLACED THAT GASKET TWICE WITHOUT THE DEALER ADVISING ME OF THE RECALL. AS I PREPARED MY BOAT FOR LAUNCHING THE BREAK RELEASED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE LAKE, NEARLY RUNNING ME OVER. A NARROW ESCAPE.

Mileage: 100,800

20160421FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

PARKING BREAK SELF RELEASES. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER THE RECALL WAS DONE MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO AND IS THEREFORE NO LONGER COVERED. HOW CAN CHRYSLER NOT COVER THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY BEGIN ROLLING DOWN A SLOPE WITH NO WARNING. THE BREAK WILL HOLD FOR A FEW MINUTES OR EVEN LONGER AND THEN RELEASE.. IF THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS OF THIS FAULTY A DESIGN WHY CAN IT NOT BE NOT BE REPLACED WITH A MORE DEPENDABLE ONE. IS THERE A REPLACEMENT "KIT" FOR THE RECALL? FURTHERMORE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP/SENSOR GASKET AT TOP OF FUEL TANK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL. I REPLACED THAT GASKET TWICE WITHOUT THE DEALER ADVISING ME OF THE RECALL. AS I PREPARED MY BOAT FOR LAUNCHING THE BREAK RELEASED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS INTO THE LAKE, NEARLY RUNNING ME OVER. A NARROW ESCAPE.

Mileage: 100,800

20130715CrashFireFatalFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

1994 JEEP WRANGLER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FUEL TANK LOCATION THAT CAUSED A FAMILY MEMBER DEATH OF THE CLIENTS, HE IS REPRESENTING. *SMD THE DECEDENT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURBED, HIT A POLE, THEN A TREE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DECEDENT DID NOT DIE FROM THE IMPACT, RATHER HE DIED OF THERMAL INJURIES CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE BURSTING INTO FLAMES...UPDATED 02/13/17 *BF *TR

20130715CrashFireFatalFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1994 JEEP WRANGLER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FUEL TANK LOCATION THAT CAUSED A FAMILY MEMBER DEATH OF THE CLIENTS, HE IS REPRESENTING. *SMD THE DECEDENT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURBED, HIT A POLE, THEN A TREE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DECEDENT DID NOT DIE FROM THE IMPACT, RATHER HE DIED OF THERMAL INJURIES CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE BURSTING INTO FLAMES...UPDATED 02/13/17 *BF *TR

20120824FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TWICE. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE GAS CAP FUEL SENDING UNIT AND CRACKED FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V106000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,500.

Mileage: 144,500

20120409FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PARKED MY 1994 JEEP WRANGLER OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE AT 6AM THE MORNING OF 4/4/12... AT 11AM I FINISHED FOR THE DAY, LEFT MY JEEP WHERE IT WAS, AND WENT FOR A RUN AROUND WHERE I WORK. AT 11:27AM MY OFFICE MANAGER CALLED MY CELLPHONE AND BEGGED ME TO COME BACK RIGHT AWAY "YOUR JEEP IS ON FIRE!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S GONE!!! NOW THE WOODS ARE ON FIRE!!!". I RAN BACK TO FIND 3 FIRE TRUCKS, MY JEEP NOTHING BUT A CHARRED SHELL STILL ON FIRE. I SPOKE WITH MY OFFICE MANAGER, SHE HEARD AN ALARM (MY HORN HAD I GUESS MELTED AND WENT OFF), WHEN SHE RAN OUTSIDE SHE SAW SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FIRE DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE FRONT (MELTING PLASTIC OF MY DASHBOARD). THE JEEP WAS DRIVING ITSELF UPHILL IN REVERSE! SHE RAN TO IT, TRYING TO STOP IT AND ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MY BELONGINGS FROM INSIDE OF IT (SHE COULD NOT). SHE SAID THERE WAS FIRE SHOOTING FROM UNDER MY DASHBOARD. IT DROVE ITSELF ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON A TREE. IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FL

Mileage: 130,000

20120409FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PARKED MY 1994 JEEP WRANGLER OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE AT 6AM THE MORNING OF 4/4/12... AT 11AM I FINISHED FOR THE DAY, LEFT MY JEEP WHERE IT WAS, AND WENT FOR A RUN AROUND WHERE I WORK. AT 11:27AM MY OFFICE MANAGER CALLED MY CELLPHONE AND BEGGED ME TO COME BACK RIGHT AWAY "YOUR JEEP IS ON FIRE!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S GONE!!! NOW THE WOODS ARE ON FIRE!!!". I RAN BACK TO FIND 3 FIRE TRUCKS, MY JEEP NOTHING BUT A CHARRED SHELL STILL ON FIRE. I SPOKE WITH MY OFFICE MANAGER, SHE HEARD AN ALARM (MY HORN HAD I GUESS MELTED AND WENT OFF), WHEN SHE RAN OUTSIDE SHE SAW SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FIRE DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE FRONT (MELTING PLASTIC OF MY DASHBOARD). THE JEEP WAS DRIVING ITSELF UPHILL IN REVERSE! SHE RAN TO IT, TRYING TO STOP IT AND ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MY BELONGINGS FROM INSIDE OF IT (SHE COULD NOT). SHE SAID THERE WAS FIRE SHOOTING FROM UNDER MY DASHBOARD. IT DROVE ITSELF ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON A TREE. IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FL

Mileage: 130,000

20120103FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY 94 YJ, GAS SPILLS OUT THE BACK OF IT. THE PUMP KICKS OFF BUT AS IT KICKS OFF IT SPILLS AND I HAVE TO CLEAN THE GAS RUNNING DOWN THE BACK OF THE JEEP. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BACK PRESSURE THAT KICKS OFF THE PUMP. I'M GUESSING THE FUEL COMPLETELY FILLS UP THE TUBE AND ONLY WHEN THE GAS HITS THE NOZZLE DOES IT SHUT OFF. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FILL MY TANK UP AND IS ALSO VERY UNSAFE TO DO SO, AS GAS SPILLING OUT THE BACK IS A FIRE HAZARD. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY JEEP OWNER DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. (HTTP://WWW.JEEPFORUM.COM/FORUM/F176/HAVE-FUEL-SPILL-PROBLEMS-LIKE-MANY-US-SUBMIT-COMPLAINT-FORCE-RECALL-974337/) SO HERE I AM FILING MY COMPLAINT, I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF BEING SOAKED IN GAS EVERY TIME I TRY TO FILL MY TANK. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20110221FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FAILURE OF FUEL TANK SEAL CREATING FIRE HAZARD. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS A COMMON FAILURE, EITHER AT FILLER NEXT OR FUEL PUMP SEAL.

Mileage: 122,000

20080805FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP WRANGLER. DURING AN EMISSIONS TEST, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND SEVERAL DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,656.

Mileage: 91,656

20080430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS AND FUMES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE COMING FROM TOP OF PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THE ODOR HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20071213STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE THE AUTO WAS IN MOTION, STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS WHEN PARKED. *TR

Mileage: 264,725

20070220FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V106000 FUEL VAPOR LEAKAGE VIA PLASTIC GAS TANK. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR. *JB

20060719PARKING BRAKE

DESPITE MY JEEP WRANGLER HAVING BEEN RECALLED DUE TO FAULTY PARKING BRAKES RECALL # 02V- 041000, THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE THEY TIGHTEN THE PARKING BRAKE AND EACH TIME IT EVENTUALLY SLIPS AGAIN. I NO PARK MY CAR IN GEAR WHICH KEEPS IT STATIONARY BUT EVERY TIME I AM NOT PARKED IN GEAR MY CAR ROLLS AWAY. MANY TIMES THE BRAKE IS ON AND SUDDENLY COME OFF BUT PLENTY OF OTHER TIMES THE CAR MOVES EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE ONLY REASON THIS CAR EVEN PASSES INSPECTION IS THAT THE BRAKE IS TIGHTENED AND IMMEDIATELY TESTED. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE BRAKE IS BACK TO IT'S USUAL NON HOLDING SELF. *NM

20060524FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

1994 JEEP WRANGLER PURCHASED 24 APR 94. FUEL SHOOTS OUT OF FUEL TANK AT FUEL LINE CONNECTION WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED ON. FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON 30 JULY 97, REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALERSHIP. SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED FEBRUARY 3 2004 REPAIRED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. THIRD OCCURRENCE, 15 NOV 05, TAKING JEEP INTO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 25 MAY 06. CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX DEFECT, EACH TIME EXPLAINED CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR FIX AS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND PART IS "MAN MADE." MOST RECENT CONVERSATION WITH CHRYSLER IN APRIL '06 WAS INFORMED THAT 2ND TIME COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED DUE TO DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS LAST FIXED BY NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANIC. ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER 3 JAN 95 RECALL NOTICE FOR UNKNOWN REASON. *JB

20060524EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK VALVE/GAUGE

1994 JEEP WRANGLER PURCHASED 24 APR 94. FUEL SHOOTS OUT OF FUEL TANK AT FUEL LINE CONNECTION WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED ON. FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON 30 JULY 97, REPAIRED BY JEEP DEALERSHIP. SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED FEBRUARY 3 2004 REPAIRED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. THIRD OCCURRENCE, 15 NOV 05, TAKING JEEP INTO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR ON 25 MAY 06. CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX DEFECT, EACH TIME EXPLAINED CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR FIX AS VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND PART IS "MAN MADE." MOST RECENT CONVERSATION WITH CHRYSLER IN APRIL '06 WAS INFORMED THAT 2ND TIME COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED DUE TO DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS LAST FIXED BY NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANIC. ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER 3 JAN 95 RECALL NOTICE FOR UNKNOWN REASON. *JB

20051011STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

NO EVENT TOOK PLACE THAT I AM AWARE OF. I WAS NOTIFIED IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005 DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT THE VEHICLES STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING WHICH REQUIRES REPLACEMENT IN ADDITION TO THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. A SCHEDULING DATE FOR REPAIR IS ON OCTOBER 20, 2005 WITH A SUBSTANTIAL COST. *JB

Mileage: 126,472

20050421CrashPARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

1994 JEEP WRANGLER HAD FAULTY PARKING BRAKE EQUIPMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE JEEP ROLLING INTO A WALL AFTER PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE ACCIDENT AND PAID FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE AND HE IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. (RECALL #02V041000)*JB

Compare 1994JEEPWRANGLER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 JEEP WRANGLER have?
The 1994 JEEP WRANGLER has 184 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 8 fires, 5 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 JEEP WRANGLER?
The most-complained component for the 1994 JEEP WRANGLER is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and PARKING BRAKE.
Is the 1994 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.