1999 Jeep Wrangler: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 213 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear subframe fractured near the axle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2022
“Frame rotted from rust where the rear suspension attaches to the frame. Too much rust to repair. Remaining vehicle is in good shape considering only 107k miles. Suspension broke free from the frame during normal road operation. I am told that the problem is epidemic with jeep tj frames. Apparently so because there is noting available on the used parts market. Lots of tj bodies and parts available but no frames to go along with them.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2019
“Jeep is a 5 speed transmission. Couldn't shift correctly, heard a rattle. Engine had fallen due to rusting frame. Frame so rusted, engine fell. Only 90,000 miles on vehicle. Not driven daily. Was in motion.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While changing the rear driver side tire, it was discovered that the spare tire hub was extremely corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any open recalls. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 25,001.”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2017
“Fuel- jeep hard to fill with fuel or must fill fuel at very slow rate. Nozzle does not lock or fill properly. (stationary) electrical- hazard lights(in rear) randomly turn on by themselves while driving. (any mph, city streets and highways)”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Jeep wrangler (tj body) 1999 frame rust I was driving the vehicle at interstate (68-72mph) speeds when a severe vibration started suddenly and the manual transmission shift lever dropped to a lower than normal position. I pulled off in a safe area and inspected first for a flat tire and then looked under the vehicle. I noted the right frame rail had rusted through from the inside and the transmission-transfer case mount/skid plate ass'y had separated from the right (passenger side frame rail and dropped approx. 2-3 inches. This caused severe driveline vibration and erratic vehicle control. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While driving various speeds, the odometer back light seized without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred previously. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99v117000 (unknown or other). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While driving over a bump at 35 mph, the instrument cluster failed to function. The contact had to hit the console before the cluster illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While driving approximately 50 mph over a bump in the road, the blower motor failed to function. The instrument panel warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While driving approximately 40 mph, the speedometer failed and the engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not taken in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING GROUND ATTACHMENT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE GROUND SCREWS, DRILL A NEW PILOT HOLE ADJACENT TO THE ORIGINAL HOLE, AND THE SCREWS WILL BE REINSTALLED IN THE NEW HOLES.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
BESTOP AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS,MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 27 AND MAY 20, 2004, DESIGNED FOR USE WITH THE BESTOP HARDTOP MADE FOR THE 1986-1995 AND 1997-2003 JEEP WRANGLER. THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK BECAUSE THE LATCH BRACKET MISPOSITIONS THE ROTARY LATCH TO THE COCKPIT COVER. AS A RESULT, THE COCKPIT COVER MAY NOT STAY LATCHED TO THE ROOF RACK AND COULD SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF RACK. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REAR SHELL ROOF RACKS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER.
Remedy: BESTOP WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BESTOP CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT (800) 845-3567.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET AIRTEX ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 1997-2004 JEEP WRANGLER; 1997-2001 JEEP CHEROKEE; 1997-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE; AND 2000-2003 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES. THE PLASTIC ELECTRICAL GROMMET CONNECTORS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUELS AND MAY DEGRADE CAUSING A POTENTIAL LEAK PATH FOR FUEL.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-880-3056.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Wrangler by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Jeep Wrangler. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Jeep Wrangler problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,425 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Jeep Wrangler have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.