1978 Jeep Wagoneer recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.
What could happen: WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
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 1978 WAGONEER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V178000.
- 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: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Summary: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: TAILGATE WINDOWVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER TAILGATEWINDOW.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: 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 (1)
02/15/2002 · Wheels / tires
FIRESTONE, FR721, P2357515, DOT#UDHLF71392HOGL.CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WAS THUMPING AND SOON AFTERWARDS TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, CONSUMER PURCHASED 4 NEW FIRESTONE 721 TIRES, ALL FAILED BY 30,000 MILES, 2 OF THE TIRES HAD PLY SEPARATION, AND THE OTHER 2 HAD SIDEWALL FAILURES, THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER. *JG *AK