1981 Jeep Wagoneer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1981 Jeep Wagoneer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 181,724 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 87V178000 1987-11-23 180,000 affected
Defect

THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.

Consequence

WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 81V015000 1981-01-04 1,724 affected
Defect

THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY.

Remedy

EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.

Defect investigations

Investigation EA88009 Opened 1987-11-16 · closed 1990-01-09

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ANALYSIS:MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE.TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1981 Jeep Wagoneer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.