Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 CJ5.
The 1978 Jeep CJ5 Overview represents a single model year of the CJ5 line, noted for having recorded just one owner complaint, with steering identified as the top area of concern. Two recalls were issued for this year, reflecting the limited but specific service actions taken. In the context of the CJ5's reliability history, the low complaint count suggests a relatively trouble‑free year, aside from the steering‑related issue. This positions the 1978 CJ5 as a year where overall dependability was strong, with the steering system being the primary focus for owners and service personnel.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 138.6 in |
| Overall width | 68.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 83.5 in |
| Curb weight | 2743 lb |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1978 Jeep CJ5 dominate in one area — the steering, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recall 78V-049 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE COUPLINGS REPLACED.
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.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.