Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Jeep Wrangler, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 21 | 23% |
| Power train | 11 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 12% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 7% |
| Parking brake | 5 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Fuel gauge don't work, don't know how much gas is in the tank
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 1992 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated upon completing a VIN search online, he became aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 94V106000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was ta
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I AM ON MILITARY ORDERS AND AM PLANNING ON SHIPPING MY JEEP WRANGLER TO MY NEXT DUTY STATION LOCATED IN LIMA PERU. I AM TOLD THAT PRIOR TO CUSTOMS SHIPPING THE VEHICLE IT HAS TO BE CLEAR OF ALL RECALLS. THE LOCAL DEALE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP WRANGLER. AFTER CHECKING THE VIN, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO OPEN RECALLS, INCLUDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V106000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 02V041000 (SERVICE BRAKES). AFTER N
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN TO YOU UNDER REFERENCE #10429043, FOR A LEAKING GAS TANK. CHRYSLER HAS SINCE BLOWN ME OFF AND NOT ADDRESSED THIS RECALL OR SAFETY ISSUE. I NOW CARRY TWO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN THE CAR AWAITING
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I AM ON MY SECOND TIME REPLACING THE SLAVE CYLINDER. THE OWNER BEFORE ME REPLACED IT 3 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE COULD SMELL A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
GAS TANK OVERFLOWS EVERY SINGLE TIME IT IS FILLED UP, IF IT WASN'T FOR ME HAVING TO HOLD IN THE NOZZLE THE ENTIRE TIME AND NOTICING IT IS OVERFLOWING, IT WOULD JUST KEEP OVERFLOWING GAS ONTO THE GROUND. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1992 Jeep Wrangler. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
SALT CORROSION PRODUCTS BETWEEN THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRE AND THE ADJACENT BATTERY FEED IN THE BULKHEAD CONNECTOR MAY SHORT THESE CONNECTIONS, CAUSING THE CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THE IGNITION KEY CONTROL OF THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. THE CAR CAN START WITHOUT THE STARTER SEQUENCE BEING INITIATED BY THE I
Risk: THE UNINTENDED START OF A VEHICLE WITH A MANUALTRANSMISSION LEFT IN A DRIVE GEAR CAN RESULT IN A RUNAWAY VEHICLE.
Fix: THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRING WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE BATTERY FEED WIRE BY RELOCATING IT WITHIN THE BULKHEAD CONNECTOR ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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 T
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.
Fix: 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
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UP
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 21 of them (23%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.