1990 Jeep Wrangler S review from North America

Clutch Solenoid (Replaced 4 times)

Started was replaced approximately every 10,000 miles.

Horn stopped working at 2500 miles.

4WD stopped working at 40,000 miles.

Exhaust system rotted out at 50,000 miles.

Roll bar bolts broke and were all replaced throughout the ownership period.

Door hinges all rusted.

Soft top dry rotted and had to be replaced.

Intake manifold bolts started breaking at 15,000 miles.

Brake calipers started locking up when hot and not releasing @ 52,000 miles.

This was the biggest piece of trash that I've ever owned!! :- (

I had problems with it right from the start. The horn stopped working at 2500 miles and the dealership could never get it to work properly, so I gave up at having a horn.

The hydraulic clutch solenoid was replaced several times and when it went out, I couldn't shift using the clutch, I had to just let off the gas and shift.

The starter was replaced a bunch of times too. The dealership claimed that it wasn't covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. (They tried to weasle out of any warranty repairs!!). They did however fix it each time, after having to be threatened with legal action.

It was a very fun vehicle to drive, especially when it was hot out and the top was folded down or removed. It was like driving a street legal go cart. :-) But, unfortunately, those times were few and far between. :- (

I lived in upper Michigan at the time and it was great to drive through the snow. Well that was until I got stuck and found out that the 4WD unit decided to go south. The vacuum hoses that engage the front hubs, had all rotted and would not engage the hubs. To get it out, I had to disconnect the hose that ran to the vacuum unit and cut the bad piece off and connect a vacuum tester that I had in my tool box to it and create vacuum with that. I was under the hood, with the transfer case in low and the transmission in 1st gear. The tires were spinning in the rear and I had to get under the hood and engage the hubs (I might add that this was very dangerous), and it pulled itself right out of the ditch it was in, with me riding along. Luckily it would only go about 2 or 3 MPH in lo-lock, so I could jump in and stop it. The dealership didn't fix that, since the rot was caused from battery acid running down under the battery tray and dripping on to the hoses. That was my fault, so I didn't complain out that, but they could have put the battery out in the front, like normal cars, where it wouldn't leak onto some of the most vital components of the vehicle.

The exhaust systems completely rotted out right before I got rid of it.

One weird thing that happened was that every once in a while, the tops of the bolts that hold the roll bar down through the floor and frame, would have the heads broken off them. I don't know what caused this, but it would only happen when it was cold outside (Below freezing). I would have to use an easy-out on them and I replaced them with regular high strength bolts and didn't have the problem with the new bolts.

The last weekend that I had it, I was moving and got stuck in rush hour traffic in my new town. The brake calipers locked up on the highway and would not release until I let it sit for an hour or so and cool off. Then as soon as they would get hot again, same thing. I got rid of it that weekend and never looked back. I just feel sorry for whomever bought that piece of junk.

The biggest problem I had was with the dealership who sold it to me. They never wanted to fix anything and said that all of my problems were because I off-roaded it. Hmmm, I thought that is what it was made for. They claimed that I had so much sand under it, that it caused all of these problems with the clutch and starter. I'm not totally void of any mechanical ability, and used to wash and wash her at least once a week, even in the sub zero winter. I would flush the undercarriage every time I would wash it. I was in the Air Force at the time and we had a heated auto workshop where I took care of her, so I know it wasn't about the sand, as there was very little left after I washed it.

I loved it when it ran, and have thought about getting another one, but my better judgment keeps preventing that. :-) If I did, it would HAVE to be one of the Riubicon models, because of the heavy duty drivetrain and great looks.

I had a Jeep Comanche (pickup) that I traded in on this, and it was great vehicle and reliable as it could be. it had the same 2.5L motor, and for some reason they both broke exhaust manifold bolts every once in a while and had to be replaced. That must've been a design flaw, since they both did that, and I've read of a lot of others doing it too.