1989 Jeep Wagoneer problems

jeep logo

The Jeep Wagoneer is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) nameplate of Jeep vehicles, with several models marketed for the 1963 through 1993 model years and again since the 2022 model year.

Various versions of the Wagoneer were manufactured in the US and other nations by Kaiser Motors (1962−1971), by American Motors (1971−1987), by Chrysler (1987−1993), and Stellantis from 2021.

A revival of the Jeep Wagoneer was introduced as a concept version on September 3, 2020, and as the production model on March 11, 2021. Sales begin in the second half of 2021 with 2022 model year versions.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer

Social links

Common 1989 Jeep Wagoneer problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1989 Jeep Wagoneer, several common problems have been reported:

  • Coolant Temperature Fluctuations: Rapid coolant temperature fluctuations have been a concern among owners, resulting in overheating warnings and potential engine issues.
  • Sudden Vehicle Shutdown: Instances of the vehicle completely shutting down while driving have been reported. This sudden shutdown poses a safety risk and can be a significant inconvenience for drivers.
  • Safety Concerns: Owners have raised safety issues, including component failures, recalls, and extended waiting times for parts at dealerships. These safety concerns have been a point of dissatisfaction among some Wagoneer owners.
  • Reliability and Repair Costs: The Jeep Wagoneer has been rated moderately reliable, with an estimated annual repair cost of $691. Approximately 15% of repairs are expected to be severe, leading to potentially costly maintenance expenses for owners.

These reported problems highlight various issues that owners of the 1989 Jeep Wagoneer have faced, ranging from heating system malfunctions to safety concerns and unexpected vehicle shutdowns. Addressing these issues promptly and ensuring regular maintenance can help mitigate potential risks associated with owning this vehicle.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer engine

Are old Jeep Wagoneers reliable?

The 1984-1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer series was known to have a few common quality and reliability issues, including: Rust: Due to its metal body, the Grand Wagoneer is susceptible to rust and corrosion, especially in areas with high humidity or harsh weather conditions.

What was the best year for Jeep Wagoneer?

Although Wagoneer didn't change a whole lot in all that time, people tend to consider the Grand Wagoneer of 1984-91 the best of the bunch. The last of the Wagoneers offered a wonderful mix of amenities, power, and utility in a V-8-powered woodgrain box that could go anywhere and do anything.

What year is the Jeep Grand Wagoneer in breaking bad?

1991

The year 1991 was chosen because the Diecast model shows 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

How many miles can you put on a Jeep Wagoneer?

With the proper regular maintenance at the right time, you will be driving your Wagoneer for well over 200,000 miles.

Are old Jeep Wagoneers reliable?

The Jeep Wagoneer's history can broadly be broken down into three generations, including the most recent relaunch. The most reliable Jeep Wagoneers tend to be those from the second generation, which extended between 1984 and 1991.

What was the best year for Jeep Wagoneer?

Although Wagoneer didn't change a whole lot in all that time, people tend to consider the Grand Wagoneer of 1984-91 the best of the bunch. The last of the Wagoneers offered a wonderful mix of amenities, power, and utility in a V-8-powered woodgrain box that could go anywhere and do anything.

Why was the Jeep Wagoneer discontinued?

The Grand Wagoneer would sail through its twilight years with minor changes and was discontinued after 1991, a victim of more rigorous safety standards and its unfortunate single-digit fuel economy.

What year was the Jeep Wagoneer in breaking bad?

1991

The 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured in the TV series "Breaking Bad" driven by the wife of the series' protagonist, Skyler White.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jeep Wagoneer problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Jeep Wagoneer vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer complaints

The NHTSA has received 16 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Jeep Wagoneer.

2006-11-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-06-09
  • VIN: 1J4FN78L8KL
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 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. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER STATEMENT WAS CORRECT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1995 AND THE LETTER WAS NEVER RECEIVED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE MECHANIC SHOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE.
2001-08-07

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-03-05
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: WHILE IN REVERSE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WHICH CAUSED MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED*AK *JB
2001-06-29

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1J4FN78L4KL
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: NO SUMMERY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
2000-06-19

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL ON THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. NLM
2000-04-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-02-25
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1JCUB7562ET
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
1999-04-10

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-03-28
  • VIN: IJ4FN78L2KL
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: 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! ONE EXPECTS TO HAVE TO REPLACE CERTAIN PARTS ON A USED VEHICLE, BUT NOT A SEAT! THE PART THAT ANCHORS THE SEAT IN PLACE EITHER HAS A DESIGN FLAW, OR THE PARTS ARE STRESSED AND BREAK. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO OTHERS. *AK
1998-06-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-01-01
  • VIN: 1J4FN78LKL4
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: 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. *AK
1997-08-27

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS ACTUATOR PUMP/MTR ASSY FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
1996-10-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-10-11
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: RADIATOR FAILED.
1996-10-16

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-10-16
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: PROBLEM WITH DRIVERS'S WINDOW.
1996-09-10

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-23
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF PARKING GEAR INTO REVERSE, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
1995-11-03

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-10-30
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS: ABS LIGHT CAME ON; IMMEDIATELY AFTER, COMPLETE BRAKE LOSS; COULD NOT APPLY BRAKE PEDAL AT ALL. TT
1994-12-06

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-02-01
  • VIN: 1J4GS5871KP
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: AIR TUBE/CHECK VALVES FAILED, RESULTING IN HARD START/POOR RUNNING/BACKFIRING/LOWER MILEAGE/IMPROPER POLLUTION CONTROL. *AK
1994-12-06

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-02-01
  • VIN: 1J4GS5871KP
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSFER CASE SEAL LEAKED.
1994-12-06

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-02-01
  • VIN: 1J4GS5871KP
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT.
1994-12-06

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-02-01
  • VIN: 1J4GS5871KP
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: FRONT PASSENGER TIRES WEAR OUT ON THE OUTSIDE EDGES.

1989 Jeep Wagoneer recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1989 Jeep Wagoneer.

1996-12-27
  • Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
  • Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
  • Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
1991-10-02
  • Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  • Summary: THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LEAKING FROM THE LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO BREAK; FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE.
  • Consequence: CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO RESULTS IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE MASTERCYLINDER SNAP RING, RESULTING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKEHOSE DUE TO HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WILL CAUSE FAILURE OF ONE HALF OF THEBRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN EXPECTED.
  • Remedy: REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.
1990-10-02
  • Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
  • Summary: MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.
  • Consequence: HIGH ENGINE IDLE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PLACED IN GEAR COULDRESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.
  • Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Leave your review of 1989 Jeep Wagoneer

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1989 Jeep Wagoneer problems:

What are Some common problems? - Jeep Cherokee Forum
What are Some common problems? - Jeep Cherokee Forum
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/what-some-common-problems-29380/

Nov 19, 2009 ... Common problems: Rear main seal leaks. Valve cover leaks. Oil filter adaptor leaks. Rear upper shock bolts break. Shackle bolts can break loose ...

1989 Jeep Cherokee Idling, Stalling Problems. | NC4x4
1989 Jeep Cherokee Idling, Stalling Problems. | NC4x4
https://nc4x4.com/forum/threads/1989-jeep-cherokee-idling-stalling-problems.58741/

Aug 15, 2009 ... Well-Known Member. Joined: Oct 5, 2008. Location: Hickory nc.

What were the most common quality and reliability issues with the ...
What were the most common quality and reliability issues with the ...
https://www.quora.com/What-were-the-most-common-quality-and-reliability-issues-with-the-1984-1991-Jeep-Grand-Wagoneer-series

Feb 2, 2023 ... The 1984-1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer series was known to have a few common quality and reliability issues, including: Rust: Due to its metal body, ...

Common problems/weak parts on the 4.0 6cyl cherokee 84-01 ...
Common problems/weak parts on the 4.0 6cyl cherokee 84-01 ...
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/common-problems-weak-parts-4-0-6cyl-cherokee-84-01-a-391283/

Mar 21, 2007 ... 1989 Jeep Cherokee Hesitation Problem. 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited Automatic 4.0 Litre Inline 6 cyl. 4WD 175,000 Miles I have been having a ...

Considering Buying a 1989 Jeep Cherokee XJ But Don't know If It's ...
Considering Buying a 1989 Jeep Cherokee XJ But Don't know If It's ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Jeep/comments/qdj54s/considering_buying_a_1989_jeep_cherokee_xj_but/

Oct 22, 2021 ... Although one of my concerns would be I'm going to be working a restaurant job and that will likely take up a bit of my time. So you bring up a ...

Other years of Jeep Wagoneer

jeep wagoneer 1990 photo
Wagoneer 1990
Jeep

19

5

2

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
jeep wagoneer 1991 photo
Wagoneer 1991
Jeep

2

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
jeep wagoneer 1992 photo
Wagoneer 1992
Jeep

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
jeep wagoneer 1993 photo
Wagoneer 1993
Jeep

6

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
jeep wagoneer 1994 photo
Wagoneer 1994
Jeep

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
jeep wagoneer 1996 photo
Wagoneer 1996
Jeep

2

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Are you having problems with your 1989 Jeep Wagoneer?

Add car complaint
1989 Jeep Wagoneer photo