AI Damage1989 Jeep Wagoneer: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Jeep Wagoneer filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 36% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 18% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 9% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (36% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 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.
While in reverse vehicle accelerated suddenly, resulting in a collision which caused minor injuries to driver. Vehicle was totaled
Transmission jumped out of parking gear into reverse, causing accident/injury.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 mph on normal road conditions, the abs light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified independent mechanic who determined the abs pump had not output. There was a recall # 96v260000 pertaining to the abs problem.
Consumer was never notified of recall on the throttle position sensor. Nlm
Engine failure resulted in engine fire (ohio traffic crash report).
Driver's side seat broke - only 1/2 the side is now attached, happened while I was getting out of vehicle. Had I been in an accident, I'm sure I wouldn't be here now. Dealer wants $900 to fix. According to auto-parts store, it's common for the seats to break! If this isn't a safety issue I don't know what is!
When traveling at any speed the vehicle will cut off without prior warning. Also, there is a tsb on the vehicle due to this problem with the crankshaft. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
Abs actuator pump/mtr assy failed prior to/after recall repair.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Wagoneer has 16 complaints (30 years in the data). This year has 11, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- Wagoneer 19843 sources
- Wagoneer 19865 sources
- Wagoneer 198710 sources
- Wagoneer 19883 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 1989 Jeep Wagoneer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (9%), smoke, burning smell, fire (9%), warning lights, check engine (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 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 1989 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 1989 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.