VehicleVerdict

1991 Jeep Wrangler problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Jeep Wrangler is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 100 owner complaints run below the Wrangler median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (21), brakes (20), and engine (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

100

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

4

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Wrangler years?

See all Wrangler years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Jeep Wrangler problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2121%
Brakes2020%
Engine1414%
Seat Belts1111%
Transmission1010%
Electrical System1010%
Tires & Wheels33%
Latches & Locks22%
Suspension22%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%
Other11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Seats11%

Does the 1991 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

04E041000OtherJune 7, 2004 · 80 units

Defect

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 RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.

Consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE COCKPIT COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME A DISTRACTION OR AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

02V041000BrakesFebruary 7, 2002 · 316,148 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V005000BrakesJanuary 12, 1998 · 293,369 units

Defect

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 "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

94V106000Fuel SystemJune 9, 1994 · 230,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.

Consequence

FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET.

93V083000Electrical SystemMay 11, 1993 · 100,000 units

Defect

SALT CORROSION PRODUCTS BETWEEN THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRE AND THE ADJACENT BATTERY FEED IN THE BULKHEAD CONNECTOR MAY SHORT THESE CONNECTIONS, CAUSING THE CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THE IGNITION KEY CONTROL OF THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. THE CAR CAN START WITHOUT THE STARTER SEQUENCE BEING INITIATED BY THE IGNITION KEY IN THE IGNITION LOCK.

Consequence

THE UNINTENDED START OF A VEHICLE WITH A MANUALTRANSMISSION LEFT IN A DRIVE GEAR CAN RESULT IN A RUNAWAY VEHICLE.

Remedy

THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRING WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE BATTERY FEED WIRE BY RELOCATING IT WITHIN THE BULKHEAD CONNECTOR ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

92V148000BrakesOctober 14, 1992 · 280,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

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 WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

90V178000OtherOctober 3, 1990 · 2,800 units

Defect

CERTIFICATION LABEL DOES NOT CONTAIN REQUIRED TIRE AND WHEEL INFORMATION.

Consequence

VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 120.

Remedy

INSTALL SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE INFORMATION LABELS ADJACENT TO CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

DT: 1991 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT GAS POURED OUT OF THE PLASTIC TANK. IT CRACKED ON THE RIGHT LOWER CORNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER DID REPAIRS BY HIMSELF HIMSELF. BUT WHEN HE PUT MORE GAS IN THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 7, 2005

NAR 04/07/2003 MR WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED BACK, RAPIDLY ACCELERATED HIT A CURB AND BECAME AIRBORNE AND DISAPPEARED OVER THE CLIFF. THE CONSUMER BELIVEVED THE RECALL DEFECT WAS THE RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 18, 2002 · crash

VEHICLE WILL STALL SUDDENLY IN EXTREME HOT WEATHER USUALLY DOES IT WITHIN ANY TIME. CONSUMER MUST WAIT FOR VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN, AND THEN IT WILL CRANK BACK UP.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

THE SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES HANG OUT OF THE RETRACTOR ,CAUSING THE BELTS TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, THE BELTS BECOME FRAYED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

WHILE DRIVING THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT RUNS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 8, 1996 · fire

1991 Jeep Wrangler — common questions

Is the 1991 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 100 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Wrangler year, with 8 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 Wrangler problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (21 complaints), brakes (20 complaints), engine (14 complaints).

Does the 1991 Jeep Wrangler have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Jeep Wrangler. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Jeep Wrangler under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Wrangler years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Wrangler years to avoid are 2018, 2021, 2024, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2014, 2007, 2020, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2009, 2017. The cleanest record among Wrangler years belongs to 1985.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.