Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 Wagoneer.
The 1978 Jeep Wagoneer carries a minimal owner-complaint record with just one reported issue, centered on tires, and a single recall on file. Across the broader model history tracked from 1990 through 2025, complaint volumes have ranged widely, peaking at 188 in 2022 and bottoming out at a single complaint in 1992. This places the 1978 model year at the quiet end of the spectrum, suggesting a comparatively trouble-free entry in the Wagoneer's long production run.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 183.5 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 66.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4257 lb |
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.
For the 1978 Jeep Wagoneer, federal records show a very low volume of issues, with only one reported complaint concerning tires. There were zero recorded crash or fire complaints for this specific model year. In the context of the broader federal record, the generation transitioned from a period of relative stability through the 1990s and early 2000s to a significant spike in complaints, recalls, and TSBs between 2022 and 2025. Because the 1978 model falls well before this surge and exhibits minimal reported faults, it avoids the volatility seen in later iterations. Given the lack of severe safety complaints and the low overall complaint count, this is a good year to buy.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.