1999 Jeep Wrangler

Above average

Owners filed 213 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,850 milesMedian miles at failure

106 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe34
000
Electrical System19
120
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash13
010
Air Bags11
201
Structure › Body9
000
Unknown or Other8
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission6
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System6
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel6
000
Electrical System › Wiring5
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic06E022000
Filed Mar 13, 20067,440 vehiclesBrake Parts, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump06E011000
Filed Feb 1, 20067,291 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.

Equipment04E041000
Filed Jun 7, 200480 vehiclesBestop, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Unknown or Other99V117000
Filed May 6, 19991,989 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING GROUND ATTACHMENT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME.

Risk. IF THE LEFT SIDE SCREW LOOSENS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE HEADLAMPS ARE TURNED ON. IF THE RIGHT SIDE SCREW LOOSENS, THE DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR MAY NOT FUNCTION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE GROUND SCREWS, DRILL A NEW PILOT HOLE ADJACENT TO THE ORIGINAL HOLE, AND THE SCREWS WILL BE REINSTALLED IN THE NEW HOLES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure
Filed Mar 22, 2022145,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear subframe fractured near the axle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 7, 2019197,000 milesKY

I STARTED HEARING A BANGING/CLANGING NOISE UNDER THE REAR OF THIS VEHICLE UPON STARTING/STOPPING OR REVERSING. THE NOISE IS BEST DESCRIBED AS A SHARP METALLIC CLANG. UNDERCAR INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS HAVE PULLED AWAY FROM THE FRAME AND THE TRACK BAR THAT LOCATES THE AXLE SIDE-TO-SIDE HAS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR AXLE HOUSING ALONG WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATING FROM THE AXLE HOUSING. REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE HOUSING. THIS SAME VEHICLE WAS REPORTED TO YOU 03 NOVEMBER 2016 FOR THE SAME ISSUE INVOLVING THE CENTER SECTION OF THE FRAME RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING THE TRANSFER CASE MOUNT/SKID PLATE TO DROP. SAFETY CAPS WERE INSTALLED ON THE FRAME AT THIS TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED BACK INTO SERVICE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 9, 2019107,000 milesMI

FRAME ROTTED FROM RUST WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. TOO MUCH RUST TO REPAIR. REMAINING VEHICLE IS IN GOOD SHAPE CONSIDERING ONLY 107K MILES. SUSPENSION BROKE FREE FROM THE FRAME DURING NORMAL ROAD OPERATION. I AM TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS EPIDEMIC WITH JEEP TJ FRAMES. APPARENTLY SO BECAUSE THERE IS NOTING AVAILABLE ON THE USED PARTS MARKET. LOTS OF TJ BODIES AND PARTS AVAILABLE BUT NO FRAMES TO GO ALONG WITH THEM.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 30, 201990,000 milesWI

JEEP IS A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. COULDN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY, HEARD A RATTLE. ENGINE HAD FALLEN DUE TO RUSTING FRAME. FRAME SO RUSTED, ENGINE FELL. ONLY 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. NOT DRIVEN DAILY. WAS IN MOTION.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 23, 201725,001 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE CHANGING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HUB WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,001.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 17, 2017126,000 milesCA

FUEL- JEEP HARD TO FILL WITH FUEL OR MUST FILL FUEL AT VERY SLOW RATE. NOZZLE DOES NOT LOCK OR FILL PROPERLY. (STATIONARY) ELECTRICAL- HAZARD LIGHTS(IN REAR) RANDOMLY TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. (ANY MPH, CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS)

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Dec 15, 2016150,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 3, 2016176,000 milesKY

JEEP WRANGLER (TJ BODY) 1999 FRAME RUST I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT INTERSTATE (68-72MPH) SPEEDS WHEN A SEVERE VIBRATION STARTED SUDDENLY AND THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER DROPPED TO A LOWER THAN NORMAL POSITION. I PULLED OFF IN A SAFE AREA AND INSPECTED FIRST FOR A FLAT TIRE AND THEN LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. I NOTED THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL HAD RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE AND THE TRANSMISSION-TRANSFER CASE MOUNT/SKID PLATE ASS'Y HAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL AND DROPPED APPROX. 2-3 INCHES. THIS CAUSED SEVERE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AND ERRATIC VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 11, 2016175,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ODOMETER BACK LIGHT SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V117000 (UNKNOWN OR OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Suspension
Filed Apr 2, 2016118,000 milesNY

I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE 6 YEARS AND HAVE 118000 MILES AND FOUND FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY MAKE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 201585,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO HIT THE CONSOLE BEFORE THE CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 24, 2015146,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Apr 22, 2015110,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Apr 7, 2015115,750 milesMI

THE FRAME ON MY 1999 JEEP WRANGLER TJ IS ROTTING THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES. A VEHICLE ONLY 15 YEARS OLD NORMALLY HAS PROBLEMS, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE A FRAME RUSTING THOUGH. I AM ASKING YOU TO URGE CHRYSLER TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ME AND MANY JEEP OWNERS WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL AND REPLACE THE FRAMES. OTHER AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS HAVE DONE THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU. *TR

StructureFire
Filed Aug 5, 2014115,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 23, 201468,000 milesNJ

TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME CONTAINED A HOLE AND A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. JCC

Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2014IN

I HAVE A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA V.6. 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. MY JEEP IS IN GREAT SHAPE HOWEVER I STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS. I NOTICED AROUND THE APEX ON BOTH SIDES THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY. I HAD IT A NEW PIECE WELDED IN PLACE AND IT WAS WORKING GREAT. THEN I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THE PLATE THAT LIES BELOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS RUSTED FROM THE FRAME AND NOT SUPPORTING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THAT WELDED TOO. I LOOKED THE OTHER DAY AND NOTICED A HOLE BETWEEN THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL AND GOLF BALL. I TOOK IT AGAIN TO MY WELDER AND HE SAID THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF MY FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY. I WAS TOLD BY MY BODY SHOP THAT BECAUSE OF JEEPS DESIGN WATER WAS ABLE TO GET AND NOT OUT CAUSING IT TO RUST. THE BODY OF MY JEEP IS IN GREAT CONDITION AS WELL AS MY MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IF NO ONCE CATCHES IT I COULD HAVE LOST MY FRONT WHEELS AND OR TRANSMISSION. I THINK ITS DANGEROUS. I'M LOOKING AT $3000.00 TO REPLACE MY FRAME. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 17, 201460,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INITIAL START-UP, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE FAILURE WOULD SPORADICALLY RESET. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V117000 (INSTRUMENT PANEL SCREWS) BUT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 28, 201430,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND GAUGE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE DUE TO THE LOOSE SCREWS THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE INSTRUMENT STRUCTURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ELECTRICAL BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 99V117000 (UNKNOWN OR OTHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 12, 201315,000 milesKY

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. THE BRAKES WERE FACTORY INSTALLED AND NOT AFTER MARKET. I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE IT HAS REMAINED. *TR

20 of 213 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202610300Routine
202563420Routine
20246931170Above average
20233481460Above average
202238915110Above average
202191715270High concern
202060912120Above average
20197389100Above average
20181,81614250High concern
20173095210High concern
20164605150Do not drive
20154713270Do not drive
20146544240Do not drive
20136507161Do not drive
201283410192Do not drive
201148511200Do not drive
201068611350Do not drive
20093727140Do not drive
20088739250Do not drive
200755710250Do not drive
2006730370Above average
2005650292Fatalities reported
2004192371Fatalities reported
200398431Fatalities reported
2002108651Fatalities reported
20011707160Routine
20002515200High concern
1999 — this page213560Above average
1998265691Fatalities reported
1997401756Fatalities reported
19962100Routine
1995202361Fatalities reported
1994151461Fatalities reported
1993108541Fatalities reported
199277621Fatalities reported
199176830Routine
199079751Fatalities reported

Compare every Wrangler year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.