Model year guide

1987 Jeep wagoneer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Jeep wagoneer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1987 Jeep wagoneer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1987 Jeep wagoneer at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints11

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Jeep wagoneer recalls 6

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #89V219000 · 21/11/1989

TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

Fix: INSTALL PROPER LABEL.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #88V106000 · 01/07/1988

BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.

Fix: REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CANNISTERS WITH NEW TYPE CANNISTERS; ALSO, INSTALL A RESTRICTION ORIFICE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT VACUUM IN EVENT CANNISTER LEAKAGE OCCURS.

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages NHTSA Campaign #87V035000 · 18/03/1987

VEHICLE MAY CONTAIN AN OUT OF TOLERANCE THROTTLE BODY.

Fix: REPLACE SUSPECT THROTTLE BODIES.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #87V022000 · 25/02/1987

CRUISE CONTROL MODULE COULD HAVE INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION.

Fix: REPLACE MODULE, AS NECESSARY.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #86V160000 · 11/12/1986

A STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON TOP OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF ENGINE THAT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CHAFING OF THE FUEL HOSE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.

Fix: REMOVE STUD AND REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE AND LINE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE.

Steering:linkages NHTSA Campaign #86V159000 · 09/12/1986

STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS REMAINED IN ACID ETCHING BATH TOO LONG. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COUPLERS COULD BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN STEERING WHEEL MISALIGNMENT WITH EVENTUAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Fix: REPLACE OUT OF TOLERANCE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Jeep wagoneer common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Dimensions & weight

Length
165.4 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
64.2 in
Wheelbase
101.6 in
Curb weight
3,089 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Jeep wagoneer. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 4

SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR Closed

===

NHTSA #PE89151 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1989 · closed Dec 1989

STALLING Closed

ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: THE MULTI-POINT INJECTIONSYSTEM (MPI) USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS HAD WIRING HARNESS FAILUREAND FAILURE OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CPS). BOTH FAILURES HAVE A HIGHFREQUENCY AND ARE THE SUBJECT OF JEEP TASK FORCES. NUMEROUS MODIFICATIONSTO BOTH ITEMS HAVE BEEN MADE.ANALYSIS: THE STALLING PROBLEM IS SEMI-INTERMITTENT, THAT IS WIRINGHARNESS FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCU…

NHTSA #EA88025 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Mar 1988 · closed Oct 1989

THROTTLE CONTROL Closed

SUMMARY: THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN 1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDER ENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. A REVIEW OF THE ODI FILES HAD INDICATED THAT 1987-1988 JEEP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.O LITER ENGINE ALSO WERE EXPERIENCING SOME THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM. A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THE AVAIL…

NHTSA #PE88029 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Feb 1988 · closed Sep 1988

FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK Closed

NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===

NHTSA #PE88001 · Power Train · opened Oct 1987 · closed Jan 1988

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 2

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC

Bulletin 98733 · Power Train · Dec 1997

REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW

Bulletin 231693 · Latches/locks/linkages · Mar 1993

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the WAGONEER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 6

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Jeep wagoneer. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Emissions

NOTE: JEEP VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES, RENAULT VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITRE ENGINES AND EAGLE PREMIER VEHICLES WITH 2.5 AND 3 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR COULD LEAD TO POOR FUEL/AIR CONTROL AND REDUCED CATALYST EFFICIENCY WHICH MAY INCREASE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: OXYGEN SENSOR WILL BE REPLAC…

Transport Canada #1993071 · May 1993

Brakes

VEHICLES WITH 2.1 LITRE TURBO DIESEL ENGINES HAVE BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM TANKS WHICH MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT. SUCH LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: BRAKE VACUUM TANKS WHICH ARE MORE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING BUMPER IMPACT WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VE…

Transport Canada #1989030 · Mar 1989

Engine

VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH OUT-OF- TOLERANCE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES WHICH COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE SPEED FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND SUSPECT THROTTLE BODIES REPLACED.

Transport Canada #1987038 · Apr 1987

Engine

CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT HOLD SET POINT. WHEN SET BUTTON IS PRESSED, VEHICLE SPEED WILL HUNT ABOVE AND BELOW SET POINT. INCONSISTENT VEHICLE SPEED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada #1987034 · Mar 1987

Steering

VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A STEERING LINKAGE COUPLER WHICH IS OUT OF TOLERANCE. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FRONT END MISALIGNMENT WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND OUT-OF-TOLERANCE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada #1986143 · Dec 1986

Fuel System

ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0 LITRE I-6 ENGINE, A STUD INSTALLED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY CHAFE ON THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: STUD WILL BE REMOVED FROM MANIFOLD AND FUEL SUPPLY HOSE AND LINE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON VEHICLES WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE.

Transport Canada #1986144 · Dec 1986

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

1987 Jeep wagoneer trims & engines on record

Engines
5.9L 8-cyl

1987 Jeep wagoneer vehicles on record

Other Jeep wagoneer model years

1987 Jeep wagoneer — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Jeep wagoneer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1987 Jeep wagoneer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Jeep wagoneer?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are tires, steering, engine and engine cooling.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.