Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1989 Jeep Wrangler. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL:FUEL PUMP
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET CAN CRACK CAUSING FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS.
- Consequence
- FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKED FROM THE FUEL TANK CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
- Remedy
- REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT GASKET.
VISUAL SYSTEMS:WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE:PIVOT:DRIV
- Summary
- WINDSHIELD FRAME METAL MAY CRACK AT THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTINGS DUE TO METAL STRESS DURING WIPER OPERATION.
- Consequence
- THIS CAN CAUSE DISLOCATION AND BINDING OF THE WIPERSYSTEM LINKAGE WHICH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY ANDRESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- RETROFIT WITH A WINDSHIELD FRAME REINFORCEMENT AT THE WIPER PIVOT LOCATIONS AND INSTALL NEW REDESIGNED LINKAGE COMPONENTS TO REDUCE STRESS AT THE PIVOT MOUNTINGS.
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC
- Summary
- ON 1987 THROUGH EARLY 1990 MODELS, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES CAN WEAR DUE TO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL OPENING SPLASH SHIELDS. ON THE LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODELS, PERIODIC RUBBING CONTACT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE SPLASH SHIELD IN CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
- Consequence
- EITHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND AN INCREASED RISK OFVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- THE 1987 TO 1990 MODEL VEHICLES WILL HAVE BOTH SPLASH SHIELDS REPLACED AND BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES REPLACED AS NECESSARY. ALL AFFECTED LATE 1990 THROUGH 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL FASTENERS INSTALLED TO FURTHER SECURE THE LEFT SIDE SPLASH SHIELD. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
FUEL:FUEL SYSTEM OTHER PARTS
- Summary
- IN A REAR IMPACT COLLISSION, FUEL TANK MAY LEAK FUEL IN EXCESS OF AMOUNT ALLOWED BY FMVSS 301 BECAUSE OF MISBUILT FUEL TANK SKID PLATES.
- Consequence
- IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS COULD RESULTIN A FIRE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301.
- Remedy
- INSTALL FLANGE ON FUEL TANK SKID PLATE.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (62)
62 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 62 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 19 | 30.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 16.1% |
| Parking brake | 9 | 14.5% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 11.3% |
| Power train | 7 | 11.3% |
| Seats | 5 | 8.1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 6.5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 6.5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4.8% |
| Tires | 2 | 3.2% |
How 1989 compares with other Wrangler years
Best and worst Wrangler years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 38 | 5 |
| 1988 | 50 | 3 |
| 1989 | 62 | 4 |
| 1990 | 79 | 4 |
| 1991 | 76 | 6 |
| 1992 | 77 | 4 |
| 1993 | 108 | 3 |
| 1994 | 151 | 2 |
| 1995 | 202 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 523 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 15 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1989 Wrangler for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1989 Jeep Wrangler FAQ
How many recalls does the 1989 Jeep Wrangler have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 94V106000 (fuel pump), 93V150000 (visibility), 92V148000 (brake), 90V168000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1989 Jeep Wrangler problems?
Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (19), Engine and engine cooling (10), Parking brake (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1989 Jeep Wrangler get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 16 city, 19 highway and 17 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1989 Wrangler compare with other years?
Among the 1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler model years at least five years old, the 1986 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (202). The 1989 drew 62. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.