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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1990 Jeep Wrangler Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
6%of 79 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Jeep Wrangler, 6% of the 79 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Recall 617 was not replaced. E brake cables not replaced. Did not replace both front brake calipers. I had to get, two new differentials and clutch in less than a year. With the new recalls listed in the paper what about my gas tank? This is another safety measure to keep my vehicle safe on the road.”

NHTSA complaint #10744164, filed 2015-07

“The parking brake failed on my daughter's 1990 Jeep Wrangler a few years ago when she was in college (sdsu, san diego, ca). She was in class. It rolled across the parking lot and crashed into the side of a mazda mini-van. She insisted she set the parking brake. It now looks like she probably did. Can we collect from chrysler for the damage to the other vehicle?”

NHTSA complaint #758166, filed 2002-02

“While driving 65 MPH the front left wheel and tire fell off, causing the vehicle to skid. Two days after purchase the vehicle stall, would not start and was not holding in idle. The problem still existed being then, vehcile looked at by independent inspector and was discovered that the muffler, ball joints and u-joint had failed. The vehicle was repaired at consumer's expense, still the vehicle idles improperly.”

NHTSA complaint #815876, filed 1997-09

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202618%
20251318%
202417924%
20235114%
20226817%
202114916%
2020478%
20198011%
201817710%
20175016%
20167416%
20155111%
20148813%
201323035%
201228234%
2011408%
20106810%
2009349%
2008678%
2007468%
2006578%
2005416%
20042614%
20032222%
20021413%
20012314%
20007028%
1999209%
19983312%
19975313%
19953216%
19941913%
19931312%
19921114%
1991811%
199056%
1989711%
198824%
198725%

Other parts of the 1990 Jeep Wrangler

Brakes
28 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Seats
12 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1990 Jeep Wrangler

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology