JeepComanche1990Overview/jeep/comanche/1990/base/

1990 Jeep Comanche

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Comanche.

The 1990 Jeep Comanche is documented with a 4‑quart oil capacity and a recommended viscosity of 20W‑40, 20W‑50, or 10W‑40 API. Reliability records show 14 total owner complaints for the model year, the highest annual figure in the 1990‑1992 range, with the parking brake identified as the primary complaint area and two recalls noted. The complaint tally drops sharply to just two reports by 1992, indicating a marked improvement in later years of the series.

Model year199119901989198819871986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 52,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBattery (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1990 the Comanche received 14 complaints and 2 recalls, a higher complaint volume than the 6 complaints and 1 recall seen in 1991 and the 2 complaints with no recalls in 1992. The number of investigations remained at zero throughout the three‑year span, while TSBs declined from 10 to 9. The 1990 year therefore sits at the peak of the complaint trend within this generation, suggesting a sharper focus on issues that were largely resolved in subsequent years. Top complaint areas—Parking Brake and Vehicle Speed Control each with three reports—highlight specific safety concerns, but the absence of fire complaints and a modest five crash reports indicate that severe incidents were not widespread. Given the higher complaint density relative to surrounding years, a 1990 model should be inspected carefully for brake and speed‑control components, yet it can still be a viable purchase if those issues are addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Parking Brake3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Vehicle Speed Control1
Seat Belts1
Structure1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V005000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:RotorReported 12/01/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

90V177000Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise ControlReported 02/10/1990

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE. Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
21006012001-03-16Power TrainAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
0816981998-04-17EquipmentINFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK
0703971997-05-09Engine And Engine CoolingVARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Comanche. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Comanche take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 30 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-40 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Comanche have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.