1991 Jeep Wrangler problems & reliability
76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Jeep Wrangler, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. 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.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1991 Jeep Wrangler vehicles were involved in 6 fatal crashes with 5 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 → | 16 | 21% |
| Parking Brake → | 13 | 17% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 12 | 16% |
| Seat Belts → | 11 | 14% |
| Power Train | 8 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 7 | 9% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 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
“The contact owns a 1991 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V041000 (Parking Brake), 94V106000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available at the contacts local dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Jan 2, 2024
“I was driving on the highway at 55 mph and my left rear tire experienced a sudden loss of air pressure and the sidewall blow out. There is no visible holes in tread. Tread recently passed state inspection. I have a special order tire 35x12.5 15lt. These are bf all terran t/a tires.”
Tires · filed Oct 7, 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 jeep wrangler. While refueling the vehicle, fuel leaked from the bottom of the vehicle. The failure recurred several times. The fuel tank was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed May 29, 2015
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
- REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE95049 · opened Aug 17, 1995 · closed Jan 26, 1996
- SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
Engineering Analysis EA93031 · opened Dec 15, 1993 · closed Jun 17, 1994 · led to recall 94V106000
- DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
Engineering Analysis EA93025 · opened Oct 29, 1993 · closed Nov 25, 1994
Technical service bulletins
10 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 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
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Outer exhaust manifold studs may fatigue/break. *ak
110798 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 11, 1998
The outer exhaust manifold studs may fatigue and break. *yc
110798 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 31, 1998
Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment. *ak
081698 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 1998
Recall notification and procedure on catalytic conveter and carburetor. *yc
98698 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 1997
Concerns with engine coolant usage. *nlm
070397 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 9, 1997
Various car owner's have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. *yc
070397 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 9, 1997
Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black. *tw
230397 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 14, 1997
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
The 1991 Jeep Wrangler has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
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 1991 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.