JEEP WRANGLER · model year

1999 JEEP WRANGLER

262 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999JEEPWRANGLER carries 262 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 8 fires, 10 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 1999 WRANGLER is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe with 34 filings, followed by electrical system (27) and air bags (16). 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 1999 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.

262
Complaints
16
Crashes
8
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

262 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM27
AIR BAGS16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH13
STRUCTURE:BODY9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SUSPENSION4
POWER TRAIN4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4

Recent Complaints

20220322STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear subframe fractured near the axle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20191107STRUCTURE:BODY

I STARTED HEARING A BANGING/CLANGING NOISE UNDER THE REAR OF THIS VEHICLE UPON STARTING/STOPPING OR REVERSING. THE NOISE IS BEST DESCRIBED AS A SHARP METALLIC CLANG. UNDERCAR INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS HAVE PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME AND THE TRACK BAR THAT LOCATES THE AXLE SIDE-TO-SIDE HAS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR AXLE HOUSING ALONG WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATING FROM THE AXLE HOUSING. REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE HOUSING. THIS SAME VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO YOU 03 NOVEMBER 2016 FOR THE SAME ISSUE INVOLVING THE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNT/SKID PLATE TO DROP. SAFETY CAPS WERE INSTALLED ON THE FRAME AT THIS TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED BACK INTO SERVICE.

Mileage: 197,000

20191009STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME ROTTED FROM RUST WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. TOO MUCH RUST TO REPAIR. REMAINING VEHICLE IS IN GOOD SHAPE CONSIDERING ONLY 107K MILES. SUSPENSION BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME DURING NORMAL ROAD OPERATION. I AM TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS EPIDEMIC WITH JEEP TJ FRAMES. APPARENTLY SO BECAUSE THERE IS NOTING AVAILABLE ON THE USED PARTS MARKET. LOTS OF TJ BODIES AND PARTS AVAILABLE BUT NO FRAMES TO GO ALONG WITH THEM.

Mileage: 107,000

20190330STRUCTURE:BODY

JEEP IS A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. COULDN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY, HEARD A RATTLE. ENGINE HAD FALLEN DUE TO RUSTING FRAME. FRAME SO RUSTED, ENGINE FELL. ONLY 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. NOT DRIVEN DAILY. WAS IN MOTION.

Mileage: 90,000

20171023STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE CHANGING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HUB WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,001.

Mileage: 25,001

20171023WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE CHANGING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HUB WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,001.

Mileage: 25,001

20170817ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUEL- JEEP HARD TO FILL WITH FUEL OR MUST FILL FUEL AT VERY SLOW RATE. NOZZLE DOES NOT LOCK OR FILL PROPERLY. (STATIONARY) ELECTRICAL- HAZARD LIGHTS(IN REAR) RANDOMLY TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. (ANY MPH, CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS)

Mileage: 126,000

20170817FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL- JEEP HARD TO FILL WITH FUEL OR MUST FILL FUEL AT VERY SLOW RATE. NOZZLE DOES NOT LOCK OR FILL PROPERLY. (STATIONARY) ELECTRICAL- HAZARD LIGHTS(IN REAR) RANDOMLY TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. (ANY MPH, CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS)

Mileage: 126,000

20161215VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20161215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20161103STRUCTURE:BODY

JEEP WRANGLER (TJ BODY) 1999 FRAME RUST I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT INTERSTATE (68-72MPH) SPEEDS WHEN A SEVERE VIBRATION STARTED SUDDENLY AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER DROPPED TO A LOWER THAN NORMAL POSITION. I PULLED OFF IN A SAFE AREA AND INSPECTED FIRST FOR A FLAT TIRE AND THEN LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. I NOTED THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE AND THE TRANSMISSION-TRANSFER CASE MOUNT/SKID PLATE ASS'Y HAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL AND DROPPED APPROX. 2-3 INCHES. THIS CAUSED SEVERE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AND ERRATIC VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 176,000

20160511UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ODOMETER BACK LIGHT SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V117000 (UNKNOWN OR OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20160511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ODOMETER BACK LIGHT SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V117000 (UNKNOWN OR OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20160402SUSPENSION

I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE 6 YEARS AND HAVE 118000 MILES AND FOUND FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY MAKE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE

Mileage: 118,000

20150813ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO HIT THE CONSOLE BEFORE THE CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20150724VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Mileage: 146,000

20150724ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Mileage: 146,000

20150422STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20150407STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THE FRAME ON MY 1999 JEEP WRANGLER TJ IS ROTTING THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. A VEHICLE ONLY 15 YEARS OLD NORMALLY HAS PROBLEMS, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE A FRAME RUSTING THOUGH. I AM ASKING YOU TO URGE CHRYSLER TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ME AND MANY JEEP OWNERS WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL AND REPLACE THE FRAMES. OTHER AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS HAVE DONE THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 115,750

20140805FireSTRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

Compare 1999JEEPWRANGLER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 JEEP WRANGLER have?
The 1999 JEEP WRANGLER has 262 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 8 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 JEEP WRANGLER?
The most-complained component for the 1999 JEEP WRANGLER is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE with 34 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 1999 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.