1987 Jeep Wrangler problems & reliability
38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Jeep Wrangler. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1987 Jeep Wrangler vehicles were involved in 4 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 12 | 32% |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 18% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 11% |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 5% |
| Power Train | 2 | 5% |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 3% |
| Seats | 1 | 3% |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I ordered pronto brake drum part number bd80003. The part numbers are casted into the part. The drums were different and one of them causes the wheel to freeze. The source of the parts for the retailer said it was defective. The retailer reshipped the parts 3 times, each time the drums received were defective. I was…”
Service Brakes · filed Dec 18, 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1987 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while traveling 60 mph, the windshield wipers failed during a rain storm. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the vin was expired and failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number: 93v150000 (visibility:windshield…”
Visibility/wiper · filed Sep 18, 2012
“When the vehicle was in park, the parking brake disengaged and caused an accident. The dealer was notified. Mr scc”
Parking Brake · filed Oct 18, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL LEAKAGE
Recall Query RQ97016 · opened Oct 27, 1997 · closed Jun 30, 1998 · led to recall 94V106000
- SEAT BACK FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE95020 · opened Mar 27, 1995 · closed Jul 28, 1995
- SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA94031 · opened Aug 30, 1994 · closed Sep 30, 1997
- SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE94037 · opened Apr 26, 1994 · closed Aug 30, 1994
- SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
Engineering Analysis EA93031 · opened Dec 15, 1993 · closed Jun 17, 1994 · led to recall 94V106000
- EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE92075 · opened Sep 9, 1992 · closed Jan 29, 1993
- FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
Engineering Analysis EA92014 · opened May 22, 1992 · closed May 28, 1993
- FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
Preliminary Evaluation PE92016 · opened Feb 5, 1992 · closed May 22, 1992
Technical service bulletins
3 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Jeep Wrangler.
DIPAP Requirements - Addition of Jeep Wrangler (JL/JK) and Jeep Gladiator (JT) Hard Top and Targa Top Panel Replacements - All Dealers (Rev. A)
D-20-02 Rev. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 4, 2020
UNKNOWN
RCL/623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 1995
UNKNOWN
RCL/622 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 1995
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1987 Jeep Wrangler in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1987 Jeep Wrangler?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.