Jeep CJ5 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints across 10 model years of the Jeep CJ5 (1972–1982). The most-complained-about year is 1978.

Pick your Jeep CJ5 model year

• 1972
• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1981
• 1982

What Jeep CJ5 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The 1978 model year has the most, with 1.

• Steering: column1
• Power train: manual transmission1

All Jeep CJ5 recalls (12)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Jeep CJ5, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Lubricant (power train)

   NHTSA 82V125000 Reported December 13, 1982 13,532 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Original production transmission lubricant used in the involved vehicles may not provide adequate lubrication to protect the transmission"s first gear.

   Remedy: The dealer will replace the original production lubricant at no charge to the owner.

   Model years: 1982

2. Seat belts: rear/other

   NHTSA 80V158000 Reported December 5, 1980 478 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Some of the involved vehicles were assembled with tongue-end rear seat belt assemblies instead of the buckle end and tongue-end assemblies. Without the buckle end assemblies, the rear seat belts cannot be fastened.

   Remedy: The dealer will inspect and replace the rear seat belts, if incorrect belts were installed, at no charge.

   Model years: 1981

3. Manual transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 79V070000 Reported March 14, 1979 1,174 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Certain vehicles may have an incorrect gasket between the transmission and the transfer case. An incorrect gasket may interfere with the normal flow of lubricant. This condition could cause the transmission to become damaged and inoperative.

   Remedy: The gasket between the transmission and the transfer case will be replaced, if necessary.

   Model years: 1979

4. Connecting (steering)

   NHTSA 78V243000 Reported November 6, 1978 363 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   The clamp bolts on the adjuster tube that fastens the connecting rod to the pitman arm end assembly may be loose. These loose bolts could cause shifting of the steering wheel position, relative to the straight-ahead-front wheel position, and loss of steering.

   Remedy: The dealer will tighten the bolts where necessary, and check and correct the steering wheel alignment free of charge.

   Model years: 1979

5. Electrical system: module

   NHTSA 78V065000 Reported March 31, 1978 102,398 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Vehicles were built with wire connectors that fail to allow the current flow needed to support the electronic control of the engine ignition.

   Remedy: Dealer will install improved wire connectors without charge to owners.

   Model years: 1975, 1976

6. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 78V049000 Reported March 9, 1978 2,726 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   The coupling which attaches the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear may have oversized serrations which could prevent the coupling from being properly tightened in the steering gear shaft when the steering wheel is turned. This may also cause free play in the steering wheel.

   Remedy: The involved vehicles will have the couplings replaced.

   Model years: 1978

7. Manual transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 78V039000 Reported February 17, 1978 96,933 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   The involved vehicles may have been built with the transmission adapter plate seal improperly seated. This condition could allow a gradual transfer of lubricant from the transmission to the transfer case.

   Remedy: The dealer will inspect the lubricant levels on the involved vehicles and, where necessary, replace the rear oil seals.

   Model years: 1976, 1977, 1978

8. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

   NHTSA 76V034000 Reported March 1, 1976 18,858 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Model years: 1976

9. Unknown or other

   NHTSA 76V025000 Reported February 13, 1976 1,918 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

   Model years: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976

10. Shackle (suspension)

    NHTSA 74V157000 Reported September 17, 1974 19,088 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Model years: 1974

11. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 72V173000 Reported July 7, 1972 15,819 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Model years: 1972

12. High/low beam dimmer switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 72V086000 Reported April 19, 1972 10,357 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Model years: 1972

Other Jeep models

• Grand Cherokee29,093 complaints
• Wrangler15,984 complaints
• Cherokee14,838 complaints
• Liberty8,881 complaints
• Compass3,705 complaints
• Patriot2,790 complaints
• Commander2,752 complaints
• Renegade2,202 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.