U.S. public vehicle records

1978 Jeep CJ7: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1978 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Tires:Tread/Belt

Tires:Tread/Belt: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

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. 1 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.

2001

2001: 1

Pattern summary

Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 559424 · 2001-02-05 (February 5, 2001)

CONSUMER PURCHASED FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES (P235/75R15) AND HAD THEM REPLACED DUE TO RECALL 00T005, HOWEVER FIRESTONE IS DENYING REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. *SLC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559424 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

78V039000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission

Reported: 1978-02-17 (February 17, 1978)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE TRANSMISSION ADAPTER PLATE SEAL IMPROPERLY SEATED. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW A GRADUAL TRANSFER OF LUBRICANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSFER CASE.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE LUBRICANT LEVELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REAR OIL SEALS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

78V049000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 1978-03-09 (March 9, 1978)

THE COUPLING WHICH ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE OVERSIZED SERRATIONS WHICH COULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM BEING PROPERLY TIGHTENED IN THE STEERING GEAR SHAFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS MAY ALSO CAUSE FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

Remedy: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE COUPLINGS REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records

0.0%Valid incident date0 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

0.0%Ordered incident and filing dates0 / 1 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1981	1982	1983	1985	1986
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	350.0% ODI 511380 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Look up ODI 511380 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 567354 CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE SMOKE AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT)*JB Look up ODI 567354 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 521571 SUPER SWAMPER LOAD "C" 6-PLY TIRES BLISTERED AND BLEW OUT. Look up ODI 521571 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10264351 · 196,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 JEEP CJ7. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 693 TIRES, SIZE 32/1150/R15LT (NA). WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. HE ALSO NOTICED SEVERE TIRE SEPARATION DOWN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE, WHICH EXPOSED SIX BELTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI… Look up ODI 10264351 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 829505 WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE WOULD STALL OUT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS IS A HAZARD. IT'S A CONSISTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO MECHANIC & DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. A TSB SAYS IGNITION CONNECTOR CAUSES STALLING. #TSB0305. *AK Look up ODI 829505 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 960986 JEEP CAUGHT FIRE AFTER PARKED 20 MINS. TT Look up ODI 960986 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 827024 FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAS NO SAFETY SWITCH FOR THE HIGH PRESSURED FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IN A VEHICLE COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 827024 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 962375 HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SENDING UNIT GASKET IN THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS HIS 1979 CJ7. TT Look up ODI 962375 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 10104949 · 237,000 mi I HAVE A 1983 JEEP CJ7. ON APRIL 23, 2003, WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE. CAUSING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO COME OFF, THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE ROAD AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. WE WERE ALMOST KILLED. THE AXLES IN MY JEEP ARE THE MODEL 20 TYPE, AND ARE KNOWN BY EVERY 4-WHEELER TO EVENTUALLY BREAK. ALL THE JEEPS WITH THE MODEL 20 TYPE REAR AXLES ARE TWO PIECE AND VERY DEFECTIVE. IT COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS TO REPLACE THE AXLE AND FIX THE DAMAGE. WHY WASN'T ANYTHING DONE ABOUT THIS KNOWN DEFECT????… Look up ODI 10104949 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 546648 CLUTCH LINKAGE FAILURE. Look up ODI 546648 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

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 failure mileage distribution
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.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1985: 0 complaints · 1986: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1985	0	0	0
1986	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1985	6	0	0
1986	2	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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Tires:Tread/Belt
Tires:Tread/Belt	—

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.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.