JeepGrand Wagoneer1990Overview/jeep/grand-wagoneer/1990/base/

1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

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

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 10/12/11 mpg. Service specifications call for 4 quarts of oil with a filter using 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-40 API viscosity. This model year is characterized by high reliability, recording zero recalls and only two owner complaints regarding the gasoline fuel system, placing it at the low end of a 1990-2026 model history that peaked with 55 complaints in 2022.

Model year202520242023202219931991199019891988

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
EPA fuel economy10/12/11 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.6 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight4508 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 58.3 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined10 / 12 / 11 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Grand Wagoneer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

13.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 13.30 sec — 1990 5-door
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
19905-door 5.9L V813.30 sec19.20 sec144 hp4x4

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-140 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.9 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

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 5,000 miCarburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
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 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 22,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Bands (adjust) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect)
Every 52,500 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (replace) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · PCV Valve (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.

The 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer sits at the quiet start of this generation's federal record, with just 2 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations, and 1 TSB. Those two complaints split evenly between Fuel System, Gasoline and Visibility, with zero crash- or fire-related reports, though the data does not specify root causes. The immediately following years, 1991 and 1992, also show minimal activity, but 1993 marks a sharp inflection point, jumping to 9 complaints and 7 recalls before the model line settles into a moderate but steadier pattern of 1–4 complaints and 1–2 recalls per year through 1999. This arc places 1990 among the least federally scrutinized model years in the run, predating the bulk of the generation's reported activity. For a buyer, that low early-record profile makes 1990 a comparatively attractive year, provided a thorough pre-purchase inspection confirms the individual vehicle's condition.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
986961997-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingDEALER SERVICE INFORMATION ON EMISSION RECALL #696. *YC

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 Grand Wagoneer. 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 Grand Wagoneer 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 Grand Wagoneer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Grand Wagoneer get?

EPA figures are 10 city / 12 highway / 11 combined mpg.