IllustrationWHILE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A STOP IN THE DRIVEWAY REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL RIM SPLIT IN HALF. *AK *LA
1983 Jeep Wagoneer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wagoneer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 1 of 2 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.
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Wheels. 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reportsTOLD BY DEALER THEY DO NOT MAKE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS!
Official recalls
187V178000 · 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.
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
3EA88009 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Nov 16, 1987 · Closed Jan 9, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ANALYSIS:MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE.TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO DESTROY AVEHICLE.AMC HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS TSB'S REGARDING THE PROPER/IMPROPER METHOD OF SEAL-ING THE VALVE COVER-HEAD INTERFACE.1981-84 AMC 6-CYLINDER ENGINES AREEQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC VALVE COVER WHICH HAS 5 GUIDE PINS AND 2 FASTENERS.THE COVER USED IN LATER MODELS WAS RE-DESIGNED TO HAVE 5 ATTACHING POINTS,AND THIS NEW VALVE COVER CAN BE USED ON OLDER ENGINES BY MEANS OF AMODIFICATION KIT.AS EXPECTED, COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FIRES IN 1985 MODELSDROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, INDICATING THAT THE ADDITION OF THE NEW VALVE COVERMAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.STATUS: IR TO THE MANUFACTURER SENT 12/1/87.PROPOSED ACTION: OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.===
PE88001 · Fires Caused By Cltch Lk
Opened Oct 23, 1987 · Closed Jan 28, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
DP87022 · Rear Window
Opened Jul 14, 1987 · Closed Oct 23, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
REAR WINDOW