AI Damage1987 Jeep Wagoneer: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Jeep Wagoneer filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 10% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Vehicle caught on fire due to the gas tank rupturing during a rear end accident. As a result of the fire, in less than a minute the fire engulfed the entire rear end, resulting in a fatality and two injuries.
00 t 005 000/tread separation: right rear tire experienced a tread separation while traveling on a dirt road at 25-30 mph, notice a flapping sound before the problem commence. Driver and passenger in a 1987 jeep, wageneer; aftermarket equipment install at 80400 miles, dot unavailable.
Also steering wheel broke loose on this trip and had to be repaired because the bolts broke loose inside shaft and has sence been repaired but developed grinding leaving stop lights.I suspected something bottoming out hurt transmission,I searched this site and discovered the service bulletin on the to long drive line…
Engine cooling system is enclosed with no pressure relief valve, which could result in plastic fill bottle exploding if engine overheats. (1st vehicle on doc# 607835).
Cruise control failed prior to recall, recall repairs refused due to the month that vehicle was manufactured (87v-022).
Electric control module failed, causing fuel pump/fuel injection to continue running even with key removed.
Purchase jeep new and the front seat belt automatic restraint never work keep taking it to the dealer say don't have time to fix the seat belt . Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Wagoneer has 16 complaints (30 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Wagoneer 19843 sources
- Wagoneer 19865 sources
- Wagoneer 19883 sources
- Wagoneer 198911 sources
- Wagoneer 199013 sources
- Wagoneer 19933 sources
- Wagoneer 19983 sources
- Wagoneer 20013 sources
- Wagoneer 2022830 sources
- Wagoneer 2023673 sources
- Wagoneer 2024521 sources
- Wagoneer 2025357 sources
- Wagoneer 2026164 sources
- Wagoneer 20273 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Jeep Wagoneer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, steering, tires. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), overheating, coolant loss (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Jeep 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 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.