1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: common problems

Owners of the 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 5

What fails most often

1 Engine and cooling 40% of all complaints
2 Fuel system 40% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
4 Latches, locks, linkages 20% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
6 Seat belts 20% of all complaints
7 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
8 Structure 20% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (40% of all).
Fuel system: 2 complaints (40% of all).
Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
5.9 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 3-speed
manual, 4-speed

Drive: AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

seat belts1 · 20%
smoke, burning smell, fire1 · 20%
stalls while driving1 · 20%
vibration1 · 20%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine and cooling	2	0	0
Fuel system	2	0	0
Electrical system	1	0	0
Latches, locks, linkages	1	0	0
Powertrain	1	0	0
Seat belts	1	0	0
Service brakes	1	0	0
Structure	1	0	0
Suspension	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0
Visibility	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

The defective gas gauge indicator makes it appear that the gas tank has more gas than is actually in the tank which causes the vehicle to stall, can cause an accident.
Fuel system · 1997-08-28 · NHTSA complaint #815780

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19951
19961
19971
20001
20021

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand Wagoneer has 9 complaints (23 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.

What to check before buying

Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%), stalls while driving (20%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1987 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.