The 1987 Jeep YJ has 5 recalls, the most serious involving loose wheel lug nuts and improperly tightened steering shaft clamp bolts that can cause loss of steering control while driving.
The brake system also carries a serious concern: the front brake hoses can rub against the wheel well splash shields, and over time that contact wears through the hose wall, leaking fluid and cutting the hydraulic braking system to half its normal capacity. With reduced brake pressure, stopping distances increase significantly. On vehicles equipped with plastic fuel tanks, the sending unit gasket can crack and allow fuel to leak, creating a fire risk if the leaking fuel reaches an ignition source. On the engine side, the cruise control system can fail to hold a steady speed once set, causing the vehicle to surge and drop unpredictably around the target speed rather than maintaining it, which can be disorienting and difficult to manage in traffic. There is also a visibility concern: the sheet metal around the windshield wiper pivot mountings can crack, allowing the wiper linkage to shift out of position and bind up, leaving the driver without working wipers in rain or snow.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank sending unit gasket may crack on vehicles with plastic fuel tanks, allowing fuel to leak and fuel vapors to exceed emission standards. A fire could occur if an ignition source is present.
What the fix does
The fuel tank sending unit gasket will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
Front brake hoses may rub against wheel opening splash shields, wearing through the hose over time and causing brake fluid loss from half the hydraulic system.
What the fix does
1987–early 1990 models: replace both splash shields and inspect/replace both front brake hoses as needed. 1990–92 models: add fasteners to left splash shield and inspect/replace left front brake hose as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Sheet metal cracks at the windshield wiper arm pivot mountings, causing the wiper linkage to dislocate and bind. This makes the wipers inoperative, reducing visibility in bad weather.
What the fix does
A reinforcement piece will be added to the windshield frame at the pivot locations, and wiper linkage components will be redesigned to reduce stress.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Cruise control may not maintain your set speed. When activated, the vehicle speed fluctuates above and below your target speed instead of holding steady.
What the fix does
The electronic control module will be replaced to restore proper cruise control function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wheel lug nuts and intermediate shaft clamp bolts may not be tightened properly, which could cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
