Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 Wagoneer.
The 1979 Jeep Wagoneer represents a model year that, according to available complaint data spanning 1990 to 2025, stands as one of the lowest recorded complaint years for the Wagoneer platform with just 2 owner complaints, the vast majority of which centered on tire-related issues, alongside 2 safety recalls; this starkly contrasts with the model's later history, which saw complaints climb to as high as 188 in 2022, suggesting that while the 1979 model year appears relatively trouble-free in the data, the Wagoneer's reliability trajectory has varied considerably over subsequent decades.
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Wagoneer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Limited 2.5L I-4 | 15.70 sec | 20.00 sec | 105 hp | 4x4 |
| 1987 | Limited 4.0L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 17.00 sec | 173 hp | 4x4 |
| 1963 | SUV 3.8L I-6 | 16.10 sec | 20.50 sec | 140 hp | 4x4 |
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.
The JSON provides federal‑record data beginning in 1990, with no entry for 1979, so the target year cannot be placed within the supplied year‑by‑year trend. The earliest recorded year (1990) shows 19 complaints and 5 recalls, while complaints remain low through the mid‑1990s before jumping sharply in 2022‑2025. Because 1979 precedes all years covered by the data, the source does not specify its complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB counts. Consequently, we cannot determine whether 1979 follows an improving or deteriorating pattern relative to the surrounding years. Takeaway: without any federal‑record figures for 1979, there is no basis from this dataset to judge it as a good or bad year to purchase.
All 2 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 RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. A DAMAGED BEARING COULD RESULT IN AXLE AND WHEEL DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH SEALS, RETAINER RINGS AND PLATES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
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.