1996 Jeep Wrangler recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: 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.
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 1996 WRANGLER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E026000.
- 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: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (1), Electrical system (1), Engine (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
08/05/2013 · Steering
MY JEEP WRANGLER SUFFERED WHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED AS A "DEATH WOBBLE". THIS VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW BY ME, WITH ALL ORIGINAL STOCK EQUIPMENT, TO INCLUDE TIRES WITH 6900 (SIX THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED) MILES EXPERIENCED A SEVERE FRONT-END WOBBLE THAT NEARLY CAUSED A CAR BEHIND ME (AND SEVERAL OTHERS BEHIND IT) TO PILE-UP AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER TO THE…
08/11/2008 · Electrical system
SPEEDOMETER FAILS... ODOMETER FAILS.... TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES... PARTS HAVE BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR AND MANY TIMES AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR
03/26/2007 · Engine
I HAVE A 1996 PRE-OWNED JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON ITS CATYLIC CONVERTER AT LEAST A YEAR AGO. I HAD CALLED AGAIN TO HAVE MY CAR ON THE LIST. MOST RECENTLY, I CALLED ABOUT A MONTH AGO IN FEBRUARY TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY RECEIVED THE BACK-ORDER PART ONCE EVERY 3 WEEKS IF THEY WERE LUCKY. WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE RATTLING…
02/08/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
POWERTRAIN TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATIC. MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR PROPERLY, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND WHINNING. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS DURING COLDER TEMPERATURE UNDER 32 DEGREES. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK
02/07/2001 · Wheels / tires
THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING (SEARS RESPONSE 215X70X15 DOT #CKUL 220-051). NLM