1999 Jeep Wrangler Sport from North America - Comments

- Intermittent Airbag Light

- Front and rear axles rebuilt at 45K miles

- Radio number six and it still doesn't work right

- Seats sag

- Wipers do not work

- Chrysler = Crap

- Maintenance expensive

- Quality reminiscent of the 80's.

I read the comments to the other 99 Wrangler Sport review, and as a rational individual I guess the only way to respond to them is to say that if you are the type of person who enjoys a five year car payment of $440 a month to end up with a vehicle that has a lot of things constantly go wrong with it, you should buy one. (The comments sound like the owners actually acknowledge and enjoy these problems? I must admit, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, and I am not sure how to even argue this point.) Sure if you are a teenager and your parents buy you one, I guess you don't care when both your front and rear axles need to be rebuilt at 45K miles to the tune of three thousand dollars. It has never been offroad. When I asked the Jeep service department if this was unusual, he said (and I am quoting the service advisor's words verbatim) "Yeah, Jeep drivetrains are pretty delicate. We do a lot of these jobs."

Between the faulty ABS system, the faulty airbag system, 6 different radios, paint on the outside mirror peeling off in one big chunk, water leaks, and wipers that only work when they want to, I say to those people- Have fun! It must be a Jeep thing. If you feel that something like this is worth $27K, then buy one. Maybe some people's idea of fun is different from mine.

One of these same individuals actually thinks that the Ford BroncoII was built to mimic the Jeep Wrangler. Again, I may be missing something, but I see no similarities other than they both are 4X4 and both are automobiles. And as far as I can tell, the BroncoII is still being built. It's called the Explorer. And it sells better than the "Delicate" Jeep Wrangler. I agree, the Jeep would have been better off if any other company other than Chrysler would have bought them out.

Stop your complaining. So you got a lemon from the factory, big deal. Ever heard of the Lemon Law? Do a little research on the laws in your state.

Jeeps are flat out the best. If you treat it right, they will run forever. If you abuse it, and drive it like a ferrari, it will break down. The drivetrains in Jeeps are ment to be driven with common sense on the road. This is why they hold up so well off road, b/c you are not driving any faster than say 10mph at best.

Do the math. Was 1999 a year ago? No. That wouldn't be covered by a lemon law. Maybe lemon laws cover five year old cars where you are from... And maybe you can drive 10mph on the highway where you are from. As I said, it has never been off road. I don't know where you get that it was driven "like a Ferrari" or what you mean by "common sense".

I couldn't agree with you more that anything built by Chrysler belongs off of the road and anyone with common sense should not drive them more than 10mph. It shouldn't be abused. After all it's not a truck. Common sense tells me that it should not be driven at the reckless speed of 65mph on the road. And you are right about me getting a lemon from the Chrysler factory. And I only had to pay on it for five years, so it's no big deal. Yeah, they are flat out the best. I hope I get scabies next. THAT would be the best!

I have had 2 jeeps, a 1988 Wrangler, 4.2 liter, and a 1999 Wrangler Safari 4 liter. I still have the 1988 and enjoy driving it, at 160 K I replaced the motor with a Jasper motor, and since then replaced everything else, except the transmission. Now, I have to be careful stepping too hard on the rotten floorboards, but then I don't have to worry about standing water in the vehicle, there are no shortage of drains. A Jeep thing.

The 1999 held up well, until 94K when it started to fail, due to a computer problem, according to the mechanic. I traded it for a Ford Ranger 4X4. The Jeep paint and body held up well, the paint fell off the mirrors, but no major engine work needed. Still, it wasn't much after 5 years and 94K; I got a lot more on the trade in than I would have paid for it.

The 1988 is very simple mechanically, and more fun to drive than the later models. It turns sharper, is lighter, runs in muck better, and gets better gas mileage. It cost way less than the 1999 model. What does that tell you about Chrysler.

I have 3 points to make:

1) The ORIGINAL Ford Bronco was a sort of Jeep clone.

It was small like the Jeep.

It had removable doors and a fold down windshield.

Also the top could be removed as well.

I owned a 1970 model and it was great in the snow.

It had a 170 cu. inch six cylinder engine and a three speed column mounted shifter.

2) Yes the black paint does tend to peel off the Wrangler

side mirrors. No big deal, you can always paint them again.

At least the mirrors are big and rugged.

3) Jeep Wranglers are wonderful, fun vehicles and they are tough. There is nothing flimsy about them. They are not for everybody. If they're not for you buy a Civic, but don't take cheap shots at a true 4 wheel drive legend.

Yeah they are fun. If you like to sink lots of money into a vehicle with under 50K miles, they are a real blast. And Chrysler Corporation is a legend alright. Do a search on the internet for Chrysler Problems or go to www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com It's true they are not for everybody though. If you want something used for transportation and not have to worry about it breaking down, they are probably not for you. There really is nothing flimsy about them.. As long as you keep sinking a few hundred a month into them for repairs, it will stay new forever. I guess the Jeep dealership that said that the drivetrains are delicate didn't know what they were talking about. Major drivtrain failure is common at 45 thousand miles on only the "toughest" vehicles. And really, paint should just "fall off". Yeah it's wonderful. Fun. I hope to buy ten more.

I bought a 1994 Wrangler s, 4 cyl. automatic and am in car heaven!! Its still cold here in Missouri, but I have the top off and I love it!!

Best of all is mudding on weekend, keggers in the bluffs and woods and the fact that this car is quiet possibly the easiest way to add another notch to my score, wink wink...

But since this place asks that I post constructive criticism, here goes... HA HA HA, why if you know so much about cars and how terrible Chrysler is would you not buy a Wrangler that was 3 years older, and made by the Gods of off road, aka JEEP!

In one year I have put 22000 miles on a vehicle I paid 6500 for with only 64,000 miles and all I've done is change the oil!

In response to 10th Feb 2005, 15:30.

I've owned 3 Wranglers and all have been very nice.

Personally, I have found the AMC designed YJ's to be more reliable than the Chrysler designed TJ's.

I still own a 1995 YJ Wrangler and it still looks and runs great with 140,000 on it.

In response to the negative comments about Jeeps, I say this.

I am 37 years old and have owned almost 40 different makes and models of cars, trucks and SUVS.

Currently I own 6 cars.

1972 Chevy pickup 3/4 ton.

1997 VW Jetta GL.

1947 Willy's Jeep CJ2a.

1948 Willy's Jeep CJ2a.

1989 Jeep Cherokee (XJ).

And a 1998 Jeep Sahara edition TJ.

I work on all of my own cars and know first hand the problems associated with them. (I have owned almost 40 and worked on all of them.) Jeep through the ages have had different pros and cons from year to year.

My 1947 and 1948 Willy's Jeeps are restore projects.

The 47 is 90% done and is bone stock with the addition of a tach, blinker system, 12v conversion, 195 thermostat and seat belts. It gets 35 miles to the gallon at a staggering top speed of 50 mph.

It is rough riding. The best way to say it is kidney punching on road, and a dream off road. It handles washboard roads beautifully.

It was designed for the military to chase Nazi's through the woods. Not for on road driving.

My Cherokee has 340000 miles on it, It is the most reliable car I have owned (so far).

I have only had the TJ for a short time, but you have to know what you you are getting in to.

It has a Ford design two piece rear main seal. I have put 6 in my Cherokee. They have a tendency to go out.

Kaiser bought Jeep from Willy's and changed little.

AMC bought Jeep and changed a lot of things on the Jeep for good and bad. Made it bigger, faster, stronger. But it was still for off road.

Chrysler bought Jeep and started to put the name Jeep on everything. And in my opinion are getting away from the things that made Jeep, well Jeep.

I know first hand some of the problems with Chrysler's electrical problems. Having dealt with a lot of my friends newer Jeeps, Dodges and cars.

The Jeep up until 2006 kept a lot of the basics of Jeep; I6 motors, I4 motors. (I miss the V-8)

Body off frames, small and nimble. Rough riding off road suspensions (better off road than on road). Most of the bounce is the short wheel base.

The new JK Jeeps are more on road than off road. (In my opinion.) I test drove one, and it to me, not the same. Not like the older Jeeps, it rides like a car. Lots of fancy stuff to break and cost lots of money.

That is one of the basic fundamentals basic, basic, basic, but still functional.

On the TJ the gauges had a problem with unplugging, because of the rough off road suspension, this has been corrected, I think about 2000.

My TJ's airbag light flashes off and on when the passenger air bag is unplugged, to remind you to plug it back in. This safety feature was installed in 1998 so you could put a rear facing child seat in the front.

And for four wheeling, they had a problem of going off when the front bumper touched a rock. To plug it back in, remove the glove box, looking in the hole to your left is a yellow wire check that it is plugged in. And also check the fuses.

The reason that when it rains, water drips on the floor, is because the drain tube is plugged and needs to be cleared.

One of the biggest problems I have noticed with a lot of the electrical problems (in my other Jeeps) is the simple fact of what it is. A bouncy, off road, convertible with no insulation. (fixed in 1997) Water, sand, mud, everything gets into everything.

I grew up outside of Moab Utah, and know what a Jeep is really for.

My brothers and I build them, fix them, compete with them, and break them, fix them and keep going. Fix the weak points or upgrade them and so on.

Every car has its problems, every car is different.

I LOVE JEEPS. I always will, because I can deal with their weak points and problems, and fix them. They are for me and I am for them, the real Jeeps. Jeeps are built, not bought.

My Cherokee has a 6" lift on the front and 10" on the rear. Roof rack and 32" tires, and due to simple upgrades I can get over 22 miles to the gallon. Take the roof rack off and get over 26 miles to the gallon.

If you have such a problem with Jeeps, my suggestion is next time you go to buy your next $20000+ car, get what you want, not what the neighbor got.

The Internet is a great thing, research and find the best car for you. Not what looks the best in Car and Driver, because that Challenger is not the best day to day driver or family car.

Sell that, as you call it money pit. One of the top resale value cars, Jeep Wrangler.

And we get the picture, you got the wrong car for you. And now you are angry.

I am sorry. Get over it.

J ust

E mpty

E very

P ocket

My motto.

To 23:29.

I have an 07 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (JK). My best buddy has an 05 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (LJ). We've gone out wheeling together a couple of times, and, while I agree with your comments about Chryco making too big a departure with the JK, they are surprisingly similar off-road. He has better maneuverability, mine climbs and descends slopes better. As stockers the LJ has a better breakover angle but the reality is that they work about the same because my skid plate is boat shaped in front rather than being curved down like the LJ's. So they function about the same. His LJ is quieter than my JK until you get around 55mph, then the superior sound deadening and redo of the top of the windshield begins to pay its dividends.

Chrysler really had little choice with many of the changes. They HAD to make the frame heavier for rear crash-worthiness. They HAD to have ABS and Stability control with its accompanying traction control and roll control. They HAD to go over to a lighter more efficient engine design. These were based on federal mandates.

They didn't have to add a 4 door to the lineup. They didn't need to add power windows. But, really, 2/3 of the grousing I've heard about the new model should have been directed at our congressmen a number of years ago... not at Chrysler who is getting stuck between the expectations of the faithful and the federal government which is bent on eliminating vehicles that are anything more than A-B appliances, wind tunnel friendly, bubble-topped, econo-cars. If AMC, Willys, or Kaiser were still around, they could do little better.

As far as price goes, the old LJ Rubicon was priced almost identically to the 07 JK Unlimited Rubi.

I'm tired of waving at TJers and just getting a baleful glare in return. We are all getting pinched, Chryco included. My Rubi is no mall-crawler. It's a true off-road machine. Granted, Jeeps have often been used for other things, but that doesn't change their basic identity. 4 doors is just an admission that some of us need to go cool places with the family in tow. So a JK is still a Jeep. But what the future holds is up in the air. We may as well band together to protect what is left of the Jeep identity before there is nothing left to protect.