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1994 Jeep Wrangler

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Jeep Wrangler do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 265.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 151 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Parking Brake. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

25 reports
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130,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

I PARKED MY 1994 JEEP WRANGLER OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE AT 6AM THE MORNING OF 4/4/12... AT 11AM I FINISHED FOR THE DAY, LEFT MY JEEP WHERE IT WAS, AND WENT FOR A RUN AROUND WHERE I WORK. AT 11:27AM MY OFFICE MANAGER CALLED MY CELLPHONE AND BEGGED ME TO COME BACK RIGHT AWAY "YOUR JEEP IS ON FIRE!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S GONE!!! NOW THE WOO…

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I PARKED MY 1994 JEEP WRANGLER OUTSIDE MY WORKPLACE AT 6AM THE MORNING OF 4/4/12... AT 11AM I FINISHED FOR THE DAY, LEFT MY JEEP WHERE IT WAS, AND WENT FOR A RUN AROUND WHERE I WORK. AT 11:27AM MY OFFICE MANAGER CALLED MY CELLPHONE AND BEGGED ME TO COME BACK RIGHT AWAY "YOUR JEEP IS ON FIRE!!! OH MY GOD, IT'S GONE!!! NOW THE WOODS ARE ON FIRE!!!". I RAN BACK TO FIND 3 FIRE TRUCKS, MY JEEP NOTHING BUT A CHARRED SHELL STILL ON FIRE. I SPOKE WITH MY OFFICE MANAGER, SHE HEARD AN ALARM (MY HORN HAD I GUESS MELTED AND WENT OFF), WHEN SHE RAN OUTSIDE SHE SAW SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FIRE DRIPPING FROM UNDER THE FRONT (MELTING PLASTIC OF MY DASHBOARD). THE JEEP WAS DRIVING ITSELF UPHILL IN REVERSE! SHE RAN TO IT, TRYING TO STOP IT AND ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MY BELONGINGS FROM INSIDE OF IT (SHE COULD NOT). SHE SAID THERE WAS FIRE SHOOTING FROM UNDER MY DASHBOARD. IT DROVE ITSELF ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON A TREE. IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, AND THEN EXPLODED. (I HEARD THE EXPLOSION AS I WAS RUNNING THROUGH THE WOODS TRYING TO GET BACK). MY JEEP IS GONE NOW... NOTHING SALVAGEABLE. I NEVER HAD ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THE PAST... BUT AFTER SOME INTERNET SEARCHING I'VE FOUND THAT JEEPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING UP IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454600

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10007062

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLES LOUDLY. NOISE IS INTERMITTENT, INDEPENDENT OF SPEED, ENGINE TEMP OR IF TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. DT

NHTSA ODI #769135

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP DUE PROBLEM WITH GASKET. THIS VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 94V106000 FUEL PUMP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020404

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, I WAS IN 1ST GEAR (MANUAL SHIFT) SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A A BEARING OR PUSHROD SHOT THRU THE OIL PAN, WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NOTHING SEEMINGLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY YEARS, BUT HAS VERY LOW MILES. IT WAS MATICULOUSLY MAIN…

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I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD, I WAS IN 1ST GEAR (MANUAL SHIFT) SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A A BEARING OR PUSHROD SHOT THRU THE OIL PAN, WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NOTHING SEEMINGLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY YEARS, BUT HAS VERY LOW MILES. IT WAS MATICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. OIL WAS CHANGED IN THE VEHICLE EVERY 3000 MILES. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, WAS A REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK. IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AT THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THAT.

NHTSA ODI #755178

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS A WELDED TUBULAR HEADER. AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES THE WELD AT THE COLLECTOR CRACKS. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM AT RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY A 600.00 REPAIR. IN TALKING TO THE REPAIR DEPT. AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THIS IS…

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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS A WELDED TUBULAR HEADER. AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES THE WELD AT THE COLLECTOR CRACKS. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM AT RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY A 600.00 REPAIR. IN TALKING TO THE REPAIR DEPT. AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE TO MY FATHER'S 1997 JEEP WRANGLER ALSO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #748756

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN STARTING CAR IT RATTLES VERY BADLY, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL EXHAUST FUMES. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER.-*AK

NHTSA ODI #879129

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsVisibility

I FEEL WRANGLER ARE ADVERTISED AS RUGGED - BUT THEY ARE ANYTHING BUT RUGGED!! LOTS OF TROUBLE. CHRYSLER DID NOTHING TO HELP EXCEPT OFFER COSTLY REPAIRS (NEW SEAT FOR $1,200 THAT WAS CHEAPLY MADE, FIX DOOR LOCKS FOR $200 THAT KEPT BREAKING AND WINDOWS THAT WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN EASILY) THAT I FELT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AT MY …

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I FEEL WRANGLER ARE ADVERTISED AS RUGGED - BUT THEY ARE ANYTHING BUT RUGGED!! LOTS OF TROUBLE. CHRYSLER DID NOTHING TO HELP EXCEPT OFFER COSTLY REPAIRS (NEW SEAT FOR $1,200 THAT WAS CHEAPLY MADE, FIX DOOR LOCKS FOR $200 THAT KEPT BREAKING AND WINDOWS THAT WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN EASILY) THAT I FELT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AT MY EXPENSE. CHRYSLER'S ANSWERS WHEN I COMPLAINED WERE - I USED EXCESSIVE FORCE ALL THE TIME. THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE - FIRST TIME I RECLINDED IT. AFTER TEARING IT APART - IT WAS OBVIOUSLY MADE VERY CHEAPLY - ONE THIN METAL PART GOING UP THE BACK OF THE SEAT. HOW IS THAT GOING TO HOLD ANYONE IN CASE OF REAR IMPACT OR RECLINING THE SEAT WITHOUT BREAKING?? SAME WITH THE PLASTIC PARTS FOR THE WINDOW ROLLER (EASILY BREAKABLE) AND WHO DESIGNED THE STUPID PART (BAR AND PIN) FOR THE DOOR LOCKS. OH YEAH, AND MY ENGINED DIED ONCE - $200 IN NEW WIRING AND TOE BILLS. THEY TOLD ME I MUST HAVE BEEN OFFROAD RUFFING IT - EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAIN. I NEVER TOOK THE JEEP OFFROAD EVER - BUT OF COURSE THEY WOULD NOT BELIEVE ME. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES NOW. MY MAIN POINT IS CHRYSLER FAILED ME - SOLD ME A VERY CHEAPLY MADE VEHICLE AND DID NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR CHEAP PRODUCT. I FELL I AM THE BEST OR WORSE ADVERTISER FOR THIS VEHICLE THEY HAVE AND I MAKE SURE TO FULLY EXPLAIN ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY WRANGLER.

NHTSA ODI #734177

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

SENDING UNIT IS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY/GASKET IS CRACKED. CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 94V106000, CONSUMER FEELS IF REAR ENDED JEEP MAY BLOW UP BECAUSE OF FUEL LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #872158

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER 4 TIMES ALREADY AND GOING ON NUMBER 5. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY FRIENDS , AND I AGREE THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR THIS AGE OF VEHICLE. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT IT AND TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726147

Official recalls

2

02V041000 · Parking Brake:conventional

Feb 7, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SELF-RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

94V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jun 9, 1994

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

5

EA01003 · Parking Brake Resulting In Rollaway

Opened Jan 11, 2001 · Closed Mar 25, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE00038 · Parking Brake

Opened Sep 15, 2000 · Closed Jan 11, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ALLEGED THE THE PARKING BRAKE FAIL TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHEN APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY

EA99014 · Brake Roter Disc/hud Separation

Opened Jun 28, 1999 · Closed Mar 28, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

RQ97016 · Fuel Leakage

Opened Oct 27, 1997 · Closed Jun 30, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS ON FUEL LEAKAGE AND 3 REPORTS ON ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURE REPORTS

PE95049 · Rear Axle Shaft Separation

Opened Aug 17, 1995 · Closed Jan 26, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE MODE AND THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY POSED BY ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE SEPARATIONS.THE REAR AXLE SHAFT AND HOUSING DESIGN IS TYPICAL OF THOSE IN WHICH THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS CARRIED ON THE AXLE HOUSING.THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE SHAFTS, SUPPORTED BY ROLLER BEARINGS, ARE SITUATED INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING.THE INBOARD SPLINED END OF THE AXLE SHAFT RECEIVES POWER TRANSMITTED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, PROVIDING TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS.THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THAT THE AXLE SHAFT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE ENTIRE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT FAILURE.AS IDENTIFIED BY CHRYSLER, THE SUBJECT REAR AXLES ARE DANA 35C AND 35CM MODELS, WHICH HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SINCE THE 1990 MODEL YEAR.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT AXLE SHAFTS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.SEE HARD COPY RESUME FOR FULL TEXT OF SUMMARY.

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