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1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 4 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

4 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENG…

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THE WHOLE CRANKCASE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE FAILED, CAUSING A COMPLETE MELTDOWN OF ALL ENGINE PARTS. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING - THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED LOSING POWER WITH SMOKE AND FOWL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AREA. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DAMAGED ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR AROUND $1200. ALL VACUUM HOSES, ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES, THE BRAKE FLUID RESOVOUR, ALL HOSES AND BELTS, THE CATALITIC CONVERTER, TO NAME A FEW, WERE THE ITEMS REPLACED. NOW NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER THERE IS STILL MAJOR CARBORATOR AND EMISSION PROBLEMS. IN JUNE, 1999, $500 WORK ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM TO CORRECT IT SO IT WOULD PAST THE SAFETY INSPECTION TESTS. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE DRIVE TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN LEAKING FLUID AND THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-70 MPH). I AM ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHILE STILL ROLLING, TURN THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE MOST OF THE TIME. OTHER TIMES I MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WAIT FOR A MINUETE OR TWO AND THEN RESTART. I RUN A PREMIUM GASOLINE AND EVERY OTHER TANK USE OCTANE BOOSTER. THE ENGINE GAGUES ALWAYS HAVE A NORMAL READING - EVEN WHEN THE EMISSION DEVICE FAILED - THE ENGINE NEVER SHOWED TO BE HOT, OIL PRESSURE WAS NORMAL AND BATTERY CHARGE WAS NORMAL. THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE COMPLETLY BROKE OFF. I NOW MUST OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR EXIT THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE HOOD LATCH WILL NOT OPEN ALL THE TIME. SOMETIME IT IS NECESSARY TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE HOOD BEFORE THE RELEASE ENGAGES. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED IN 2-99 WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF EACH OTHER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716025

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1998
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #536269

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1996
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT

NHTSA ODI #979211

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1995
Equipment

COOLANT LEAKED INTO HEATER/AC HOUSING, AC IS NO LONG WORKING. TT

NHTSA ODI #973306

Official recalls

2

87V178000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Nov 23, 1987

THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.

85V140000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Oct 29, 1985

CERTAIN OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WHERE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: FLUSH AND REFILL BRAKE SYSTEM WITH NEW HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID.

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

1

EA88005 · Elec. Rear Window

Opened Oct 23, 1987 · Closed Mar 28, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI EXAMINATION OF VEHICLES SUGGESTS THATIMPINGEMENT OF THE TAILGATE LOCK DUST COVER AGAINST THE KEY MAY EITHERINDUCE OR CONTINUE UNINTENDED UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE TAILGATE WINDOW.STATUS:CHRYSLER RECALLED BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 19, 1987.HOWEVER,WE BELIEVE THAT THE SELF EXAMINATION CALLED FOR IN THE RECALL NOTICE DOESNOT MEET WITH THE INTENT OF THE LAW.CHRYSLER HAS BEEN REQUESTED TOREEXAMINE THE RECALL BY LETTER DATED 11/20/87.