Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Wagoneer.
The 1981 Jeep Wagoneer represents a model year that falls outside the range of available complaint data, which begins in 1990 — nearly a decade after this vehicle's production — meaning researchers must approach its reliability profile without the benefit of year-specific complaint records that exist for later Wagoneers. Across the documented span of 1990 through 2025, the model's complaint history shows striking variability, ranging from a low of just one complaint in 1992 to a high of 188 complaints in 2022, suggesting that the Wagoneer's long-term reliability reputation depends heavily on which model year is examined. For the 1981 specifically, the absence of complaint data places it in a gap that requires researchers to rely on broader historical context rather than empirical complaint trends when assessing where this model year sits in the Wagoneer's overall reliability trajectory.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 186.6 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 5988 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.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY. Remedy: EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.
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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.