1990 Jeep Wrangler
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Jeep Wrangler is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1990 Jeep Wrangler at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Jeep Wrangler recalls 7
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF R…
Fix: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYS…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SA…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET.
ON 1987 THROUGH EARLY 1990 MODELS, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES CAN WEAR DUE TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OPENING SPLASH SHIELDS. ON THE LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODELS, PERIODIC RUBBING CONTACT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE SPLASH SHIELD IN CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Fix: THE 1987 TO 1990 MODEL VEHICLES WILL HAVE BOTH SPLASH SHIELDS REPLACED AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALL AFFECTED LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL FASTENERS INSTALLED TO FURTHER SECURE THE LEFT SIDE SPLASH SHIELD. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WI…
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.
1990 Jeep Wrangler common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Jeep Wrangler MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Jeep Wrangler costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 10
FUEL LEAKAGE Closed
ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS ON FUEL LEAKAGE AND 3 REPORTS ON ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURE REPORTS
NHTSA #RQ97016 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Oct 1997 · closed Jun 1998REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION Closed
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE MODE AND THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY POSED BY ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE SEPARATIONS. THE REAR AXLE SHAFT AND HOUSING DESIGN IS TYPICAL OF THOSE IN WHICH THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS CARRIED ON THE AXLE HOUSING. THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE SHAFTS, SUPPORTED BY ROLLER BEARINGS, ARE SITUATED INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING. THE INBOARD SPLINED END OF THE AXLE SHAFT RECEIVES P…
NHTSA #PE95049 · Suspension · opened Aug 1995 · closed Jan 1996SEAT BACK FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE95020 · Seats · opened Mar 1995 · closed Jul 1995SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA94031 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1994 · closed Sep 1997SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE94037 · Seat Belts · opened Apr 1994 · closed Aug 1994SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS Closed
NHTSA #EA93031 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1993 · closed Jun 1994DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL Closed
NHTSA #EA93025 · Power Train · opened Oct 1993 · closed Nov 1994SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS Closed
NHTSA #PE93080 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Sep 1993 · closed Dec 1993FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER Closed
NHTSA #EA92014 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened May 1992 · closed May 1993FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER Closed
NHTSA #PE92016 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Feb 1992 · closed May 1992An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 12
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. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.
DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A)
Bulletin D-20-02 Rev. A · Equipment · Mar 2020SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
Bulletin 0800600REV · Electrical System · Dec 2000THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
Bulletin 080600 · Electrical System · Feb 2000INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK
Bulletin 081698 · Equipment · Apr 1998VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC
Bulletin 070397 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1997CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM
Bulletin 070397 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1997DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW
Bulletin 230397 · Structure · Feb 1997APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.2L ENGINE AND FEDERAL HIGH ALTITUDE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. FUEL VAPORS MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY. THE PCV HARNESS ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE IDLE SPEEDS MUST BE RESET.
Bulletin RCL647 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 1995UNKNOWN
Bulletin RCL/617 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1995RECALL 558 - FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY CAUSE A VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS STANDARDS. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER MUST BE REPLACED WITH IMPROVED DESIGN PARTS. *TW
Bulletin RCL/558 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1995Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the WRANGLER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a series of compact and mid-size off-road SUVs manufactured by Jeep since 1986, and currently in its fourth generation. The Wrangler JL, the most recent generation, was unveiled in late 2017 and is produced at Jeep's Toledo Complex.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.