Most common 1999 Jeep Wrangler problems
Share of the 213 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Wrangler complaints by model year
Best Wrangler years: 2017, 2015. Years to avoid: 2024, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2019. Compare all years →
1999 Jeep Wrangler recalls (1)
Unknown or other
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The left side and right side instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws could loosen over time.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the ground screws, drill a new pilot hole adjacent to the original hole, and the screws will be reinstalled in the new holes.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Jeep Wrangler:
Instrument panel ground screw
The instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws can loosen
What 1999 Jeep Wrangler owners say
Electrical system all 53 →
1st issue: the dash gauges will go off and on intermittently. I have fought with this problem for years now. The dealer of course doesn't know what I'm talking about. Never heard of it. I have completely removed the dash looking for problems. Bad grounds? I can't tell where. I suspect the plugs the cluster slips into. I've tried to pull the mounts closer for a better connection. It seamed to work for a while. Then it comes back. A good sound beating on the dash brings them back on. Amazing what that plastic will take. All this started after the warranty expired. I refuse to take it in and pour money at it till they figure it out. All I want is to know how to fix the gauges. I'm about ready to cut the wires and solder them directly on. 2nd issue: I began smelling plastic burning or something. Later the heater fan quit working. …
Normal use of fan speed control switch of 1999 Jeep Wrangler. The male tabs on back of switch break causing shorts and failure. Replaced under warranty twice. The second time was in new york on vacation and the short caused a dash fire in which the wiring harness had to be replaced. Luckily nobody was hurt due to close proximaty of dealership. Replaced a third time myself due to rejection by dealer and Chrysler to cover cost. There has been at least three and maybe four switches since purchasing this vehicle new. This issue has been ongoing almost immediately after purchase. Chrysler dealerships in wilmington, nc and geneva, ny where fire occured kept old parts. All parts replaced brand new and still continue to fail. My fear is the switch will continue to fail and cause further fires and possibly loss of vehicle or personal injury. …
Engine & cooling all 51 →
Sudden acceleration occurred while idling in traffic while the brakes were being applied. This caused the vehicle to run in back of a truck. No injuries reported. Dealer was notified. The consumer stated that the dealer downloaded software to power train computer from the 1998 service bulletin. The bulletin stated that when the temperature rose to 103 celsius it could cause high RPM in parking lot maneuvers or stop and go traffic. The consumer stated that this should have been done to all 99 models. The consumer sold the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the speedometer failed and the engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was not taken in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
Air bags all 22 →
Consumer states while traveling at25 MPH, under snowy conditions, consumer lost control of vehicle, side swiped another vehicle before coming to a stop. Upon impact,none of the air bags deployed.
As per serveral service bulletins already submitted, my 1999 Jeep Wrangler was purchased early in 2000 with 30,000 miles on it. Several months later the airbag light comes on and all other gauges stop working. The dealership already did a repair on the part and it worked okay for about 6 months and since then, 20,000 + miles later it continues to do the same thing again. I am no longer under warranty and have not yet contacted the dealership again to let them know that the repair did not correct the failure. It still occurs erratically, but almost on a daily basis over 1 year after the repair was done.
1999 Jeep Wrangler engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 18 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Jeep Wrangler a good car?
Based on 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Wrangler rates better than average: 55% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Wrangler at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Jeep Wrangler?
The electrical system — 53 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › interior/under dash. Next are the engine & cooling (51) and air bags (22).
How many recalls does the 1999 Jeep Wrangler have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Jeep Wrangler, the most recent from May 6, 1999 (unknown or other). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Wrangler?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2019. See the full Jeep Wrangler years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Jeep Wrangler problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.