1979 Jeep Cj5 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSFER CASE. AN INCORRECT GASKET MAY INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL FLOW OF LUBRICANT. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DAMAGED AND INOPERATIVE.
What could happen:
The fix: THE GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 CJ5.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V070000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSFER CASE. AN INCORRECT GASKET MAY INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL FLOW OF LUBRICANT. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DAMAGED AND INOPERATIVE.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION, MANUAL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: AN INOPERATIVE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IF THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, THE LUBRICANT LEVEL MAYBE LOW. IT SHOULD BE CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. DRIVING AT PROLONGED HIGHWAY SPEEDSSHOULD BE AVOIDED UNTIL VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE CLAMP BOLTS ON THE ADJUSTER TUBE THAT FASTENS THE CONNECTING ROD TO THE PITMAN ARM END ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE. THESE LOOSE BOLTS COULD CAUSE SHIFTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION, RELATIVE TO THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD-FRONT WHEEL POSITION, AND LOSS OF STEERING.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE BOLTS WHERE NECESSARY, AND CHECK AND CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT FREE OF CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 CJ5.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V243000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
Summary: THE CLAMP BOLTS ON THE ADJUSTER TUBE THAT FASTENS THE CONNECTING ROD TO THE PITMAN ARM END ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE. THESE LOOSE BOLTS COULD CAUSE SHIFTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION, RELATIVE TO THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD-FRONT WHEEL POSITION, AND LOSS OF STEERING.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE BOLTS WHERE NECESSARY, AND CHECK AND CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; LINKAGES, CLAMP BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF STEERING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLAND AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
06/10/2010 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACTS OWN A 1979 JEEP CJ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CHRYSLER DEALER REFERRED…