1987 Jeep WAGONEER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1999: 2; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 504351 · 1996-05-10 (May 10, 1996)
STEERING WHEEL LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711688 · 1999-09-21 (September 21, 1999)
ON A TRIP AND AT 65 MPH WENT OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AS SUSPENSION TRAVELED FELT LIKE THE DRIVE LINE WAS COMMING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN.SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DID INDEED BOTTON OUT NOT THE SUSPENSION. ALSO STEERING WHEEL BROKE LOOSE ON THIS TRIP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE INSIDE SHAFT AND HAS SENCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT DEVELOPED GRINDING LEAVING STOP LIGHTS.I SUSPECTED SOMETHING BOTTOMING OUT HURT TRANSMISSION,I SEARCHED THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE IN REAR.TOOK TO JEEP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482940 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE UPON APPLYING BRAKES. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 520793 · 1997-09-29 (September 29, 1997)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE GAS TANK RUPTURING DURING A REAR END ACCIDENT. AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE, IN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE FIRE ENGULFED THE ENTIRE REAR END, RESULTING IN A FATALITY AND TWO INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 520793 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12058.3%ODI 11461327Driving my vehicle home it was hard to turn and back wheels were locked out and not turning. After turning on and off vehicle SERV 4WD came on and manual said to get it in for service. Also, Uconnect and heat seaters stopped working. After having it towed at 2&1/2 mo old into dealerships service dept, was told by wagoneer client services that this wheels lock out is a common issue they are having and requires system updates, rear diff fluid drain and replace, and they will be doing a Cam sensor replacement while its in for a known issue with th… | 4441.1%ODI 11554269After very minor accident the car crash symbol and the car in lane symbol came on and will not turn off. Took to dealer and they said there was no update to correct the problem. Feel unsafe in a car that should be safe since it's new. And has error message of limited functionality. | 2345.1%ODI 11595657Vehicle is 4 months old and has 2300 miles on it. Randomly and suddenly the vehicle will lose power while in traffic. No steering or engine power. It will abruptly coast to a stop, put itself into park, and stall. Several lights will come on. All the lights but the check engine lights disappear after letting the car sit. The car sometimes turns over only to stall a few seconds later. If left to sit for 30 minutes or so, it will drive again. Obviously a car that shuts off and loses power while driving is a big safety issue. I am unsure if … | 233.3%ODI 11677089With only 4811 miles on our Jeep Wagoneer, it had TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE causing my wife to drive thru a stop sign avoiding pedestrians. I had it towed by Jeep roadside assistance to St.Clair Chrysler Jeep in St. Clair MI. on [XXX]. A week later on [XXX] I was told to come pick up the car and that it was repaired. The porter went to move the car and again TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. The vehicle was again repaired and when I went to get it, I asked if the brakes were guaranteed to work and no one would say that they were. This car model has a lot of brake… |
| Engine | 5426.2%ODI 11476909Driving approximately 30 miles/hour (estimated) the car started the process of shutting down and then shut down - while moving. The lights flickered on the dash board but don't recall exactly what the indicators were. We were able to pull over to the side of the road, although not entirely off of the road. It was 11:00 PM. This is a safety issue because my family was in the car while it was moving and shut down while moving. We bought the car approximately 10 days prior to this happening and it had 17 miles on it when we bought it brand new.… | 4844.9%ODI 11571934 · 34,000 miThe contact owns a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle failed to recognize the key FOB after driving and parking the vehicle. The headlights became inoperable while driving at night. The navigation screen randomly became inoperable … | 2956.9%ODI 11568613Brand new with 20 miles on the car, drove 120 miles home from the dealership and did not drive hard or aggressively. The car was pouring oil and needed to be towed to the nearest dealer for a blown crank shaft seal. | 233.3%ODI 11680220ABS and Stability control lights came on and I immediately lost braking pressure within 100 yards of warning lights and could not stop the vehicle and drove through a stop light. Fortunately there were no cars in the intersection. I also have had steering warning light as well as engine warning light. My Wagoneer’s engine stumbled and put itself in park at a stop light in another issue with the vehicle. The loss of braking force is most concerning safety issue to me. My car is only 4 days old and has already had numerous issues. |
| Unknown Or Other | 3115.0%ODI 11461089On 2 separate occasions this brand new vehicle has messed up. One in February with 3000 miles and again, same issue in April, with 6000 miles. It seems to be a 4 wheel drive issue. The back wheel will lock down when attempting to make sharp turns. | 2018.7%ODI 11546234Panoramic sunroof exploded while driving on freeway in good weather conditions. The only thing preventing the glass from falling on my head and my son's was the screen underneath the sunroof. The extremely loud and unexpected sound caused by the glass exploding was incredibly disorienting while in traffic traveling at approximately 65 mph. This could have caused an accident. There was no debris falling on the car that would have caused this damage, and we were not traveling under a bridge at the time of the event. I brought the vehicle to my … | 1427.5%ODI 11622947Vibrations in steering and seating despite multiple balancing attempts and new tires | 116.7%ODI 11683518While driving on the interstate, the vehicle continuously bounces, shakes, and vibrates, making it difficult to maintain safe control. The issue occurs at highway speeds and creates concern for both safety and drivability. |
| Service Brakes | 3818.4%ODI 11449056The first instance I was pulling out of the driveway. When I got to the end I tried to turn my steering wheel and it was completely locked. The alert started going off to service the lane Assiatiance. I couldn’t move the tires at all. I turned the car off and re started it multiple times to try to get it to unlock. After about 5 times it unlocked but still said to service the lance assistance. Called dealership they made an appointment 2-3 weeks out to look at it. Two weeks later driving at 35-40mph alert goes off that brake system needs to be… | 1110.3%ODI 11543072Leaks break fluid when parked at an angle (nose facing down hill). Heat seems to be a factor because it leaks more on hot days. The dealer has tried to remedy the problem no fewer than 4 times, replacing many major components. There appears to be a design flaw in the master cylinder area as that is where the brake fluid keeps leaking from. I have to imagine if you keep losing break fluid it is a safety issue and an environmental one. | 611.8%ODI 11677296Breaks, engine and transmission as well as radio and screen (electrical). | 350.0%ODI 11677089With only 4811 miles on our Jeep Wagoneer, it had TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE causing my wife to drive thru a stop sign avoiding pedestrians. I had it towed by Jeep roadside assistance to St.Clair Chrysler Jeep in St. Clair MI. on [XXX]. A week later on [XXX] I was told to come pick up the car and that it was repaired. The porter went to move the car and again TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. The vehicle was again repaired and when I went to get it, I asked if the brakes were guaranteed to work and no one would say that they were. This car model has a lot of brake… |
| Power Train | 2713.1%ODI 11446435At around 800 miles several warning lights turn on regarding servicing 4WD system and the vehicle became stuck in 4LO. The rear differential and transfer case were shot already and was told from dealer the cause was a control module but they had no update or fix for the module yet. Vehicle was not able to be driven without further damage until repaired. Going on 3 weeks without brand new vehicle. | 1917.8%ODI 11525412- Transmission. Vehicle is brand new, less than 1,500 miles - Inability to accelerate vehicle on highway. - Problem was reproduced by technician at Jeep dealership and confirmed that the vehicle needs a new transmission. - The vehicle as only inspected by the dealership, as far as we know. - Gears were slipping, car became noisy, check engine light came on, and we were unable to accelerate vehicle. | 1121.6%ODI 11568613Brand new with 20 miles on the car, drove 120 miles home from the dealership and did not drive hard or aggressively. The car was pouring oil and needed to be towed to the nearest dealer for a blown crank shaft seal. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 3115.0%ODI 11449056The first instance I was pulling out of the driveway. When I got to the end I tried to turn my steering wheel and it was completely locked. The alert started going off to service the lane Assiatiance. I couldn’t move the tires at all. I turned the car off and re started it multiple times to try to get it to unlock. After about 5 times it unlocked but still said to service the lance assistance. Called dealership they made an appointment 2-3 weeks out to look at it. Two weeks later driving at 35-40mph alert goes off that brake system needs to be… | 76.5%ODI 115736342023 Jeep Wagoneer steering wheel became locked with alerts on the dashboard "Power Steering Unavailable Service Required." Thank GOD I parked in a parking lot when I went food shopping. This has happened twice before to my wife in the garage but no alerts came out. I spent two hours stuck and 1 hour waiting for a tow truck. It was a cold day and after the heat to the seats and steering were on, the steering became soft and I was able to steer the car home. I took car to dealership the next day and they gave me a loaner. Two days later I went t… | 611.8%ODI 11719440This is the 3rd time the Jeep Wagooner has "bricked up." The vehicle will shut off without notice and lose all power, the emergency brake comes on and stops vehicle abruptly. This poses safety risk to driver passengers and surrounding vehicles. The car will not be able to be restarted for 30 secs. Once car is restarted, dash lights flash everywhere and car loses power steering. This happen 1st time 2 weeks after I bought a brand new 2024 Jeep Wagoneer. I took it to dealer and they told me it was defective battery. They replaced battery, it has … | 116.7%ODI 11680220ABS and Stability control lights came on and I immediately lost braking pressure within 100 yards of warning lights and could not stop the vehicle and drove through a stop light. Fortunately there were no cars in the intersection. I also have had steering warning light as well as engine warning light. My Wagoneer’s engine stumbled and put itself in park at a stop light in another issue with the vehicle. The loss of braking force is most concerning safety issue to me. My car is only 4 days old and has already had numerous issues. |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 199.2%ODI 11449056The first instance I was pulling out of the driveway. When I got to the end I tried to turn my steering wheel and it was completely locked. The alert started going off to service the lane Assiatiance. I couldn’t move the tires at all. I turned the car off and re started it multiple times to try to get it to unlock. After about 5 times it unlocked but still said to service the lance assistance. Called dealership they made an appointment 2-3 weeks out to look at it. Two weeks later driving at 35-40mph alert goes off that brake system needs to be… | 65.6%ODI 11551419Driving vehicle with no vehicles within 100 yards directly in front of vehicle and with 1 car in the lane to vehicles right on a 2-lane road. Vehicle on the right was about 30-40 car lengths ahead of my own vehicle. The collision detection system and emergency braking system sounded off, lit up the dash panel stating BREAK, and then applied the brakes while going 50 mph with drivers behind me. The driver behind me had to swerve onto the left median to avoid colliding with my vehicle. The obvious issue here is that no vehicle was within any dist… | 611.8%ODI 11676505This vehicle has presented a myriad of electrical problems as follows: 1. Glitching in the central display panel. Slow to turn on, flickers at times. 2. ALM (Active Lane Management) system randomly and suddenly turning off. Often unable to turn the ALM system back on while driving. The same issue with the Adaptive Cruise Control system. 3. Vehicle sensors showing "unavailable" on the driver's display screen. 4. Vehicle was completely dead due to both batteries dying (main and auxillary) 5. Engine ran hot after a short period of time. Tem… | 350.0%ODI 11677089With only 4811 miles on our Jeep Wagoneer, it had TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE causing my wife to drive thru a stop sign avoiding pedestrians. I had it towed by Jeep roadside assistance to St.Clair Chrysler Jeep in St. Clair MI. on [XXX]. A week later on [XXX] I was told to come pick up the car and that it was repaired. The porter went to move the car and again TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. The vehicle was again repaired and when I went to get it, I asked if the brakes were guaranteed to work and no one would say that they were. This car model has a lot of brake… |
| Suspension | 157.3%ODI 11484870The initial unresolved issue is a slight tremor at speeds above 70mph. I was told that because of the speed limit that this occurs, it is above the limit of area the dealership. The are not able to road test for the issue. New issue is my Wagoneer is slipping into four wheel drive. I received a software update and now there’s a churning underneath my truck and it has become more of a strained ride As if it’s lagging but no longer slipping into 4 wheel drive. May have been damaged during the slippage and the commute to my residence. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.0%ODI 11747336Immediately after taking delivery of this brand-new 2024 Jeep Wagoneer L, a severe and violent mechanical vibration was detected while driving at highway speeds. When the vehicle reaches 70 mph and above, the steering wheel shakes aggressively in the driver's hands, and the entire vehicle chassis vibrates violently. This severe shaking impacts vehicle tracking, makes it difficult to maintain steady steering control at cruising speeds, and creates an immediate road safety hazard for the occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle is currently… | 116.7%ODI 11683518While driving on the interstate, the vehicle continuously bounces, shakes, and vibrates, making it difficult to maintain safe control. The issue occurs at highway speeds and creates concern for both safety and drivability. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2022: 111 complaints · 2023: 73 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 29 | 63 | 111 |
| 2023 | 17 | 37 | 73 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 204 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 107 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Electrical System:Ignition:Module | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Seat Belts | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 711688ON A TRIP AND AT 65 MPH WENT OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AS SUSPENSION TRAVELED FELT LIKE THE DRIVE LINE WAS COMMING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN.SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DID INDEED BOTTON OUT NOT THE SUSPENSION. ALSO STEERING WHEEL BROKE LOOSE ON THIS TRIP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE INSIDE SHAFT AND HAS SENCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT DEVELOPED GRINDING LEAVING STOP LIGHTS.I SUSPECTED SOMETHING BOTTOMING OUT HURT TRANSMISSION,I SEARCHED THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE IN REAR.TOOK TO JEEP… | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1ODI 711688ON A TRIP AND AT 65 MPH WENT OVER RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AS SUSPENSION TRAVELED FELT LIKE THE DRIVE LINE WAS COMMING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN.SOMETHING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN DID INDEED BOTTON OUT NOT THE SUSPENSION. ALSO STEERING WHEEL BROKE LOOSE ON THIS TRIP AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS BROKE LOOSE INSIDE SHAFT AND HAS SENCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT DEVELOPED GRINDING LEAVING STOP LIGHTS.I SUSPECTED SOMETHING BOTTOMING OUT HURT TRANSMISSION,I SEARCHED THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TO LONG DRIVE LINE IN REAR.TOOK TO JEEP… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.