Jeep Comanche MJ years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Jeep Comanche MJ model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
Buy a 4.0, ideally a 1991–92 HO: 190 hp and Chrysler's easier-to-diagnose engine management, the same reason Off Road Xtreme recommends the HO in the XJ. 1987–90 Renix trucks are good too, but they're diagnosed with a multimeter. 1986 trucks have no 4.0. If you do buy a 2.5, Comanche Club members say look for 4.10 or 4.56 gears.
At a glance
Jeep Comanche MJ year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | — | Unveiled in August at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, for MY1986: XJ-based, long bed only, 2.5 I4, 2.8 GM V6 or 2.1 Renault turbodiesel; $7,049 base 2WD |
| 1987 | — | Short bed (113 in wheelbase) added; 4.0 I6 (173 hp) replaces the V6; AW4 auto; NP231/NP242; Chrysler buys AMC in March; diesel dropped |
| 1988 | — | Eight-slot grille; 4.0 rated 177 hp; Eliminator trim and Olympic Edition |
| 1989 | — | Aisin AX-15 five-speed replaces the Peugeot BA-10/5 mid-year |
| 1991 | Sweet spot | Chrysler engine management replaces Renix; 4.0 'High Output' 190 hp; Chrysler 8.25 rear appears; no automatic with the 2.5. The 1991–92 HO is the one to buy: easier to diagnose than the Renix 4.0, which is why Off Road Xtreme recommends the HO in the XJ that shares the engine |
| 1992 | — | Final year; production ends June 12, 1992 after 952 trucks built that calendar year |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a Jeep Comanche MJ costs (October 2026)
Cheap but rising slowly. Clean, rust-free 4x4 five-speed 4.0 trucks, especially Pioneers and Eliminators, bring the money; rusty 2WD trucks and 2.5s don't.
| Project / needs work | $4k–7k |
|---|---|
| Driver | $10k–16k |
| Excellent / restored | $16k–27k |
Based on 12 Bring a Trailer sales from October 2025 to October 2026 (median $12,600, range $5,100–27,000) and 35 BaT sales since 2019. Top: a refinished 1988 Pioneer 4x4 five-speed at $27,000 (2026) and an original-owner 1989 4x4 at $20,000 (2024).
Recalls by year
- Fuel line fitting ↗ 1986
- Certification label ratings ↗ 1986
- Accelerator cable bushing ↗ 1986
- Parking brake pawl ↗ 1986
- Steering linkage couplers ↗ 1986–1987
- Intake-manifold stud chafing fuel hose ↗ 1987
- Cruise control module ↗ 1987
- Throttle body tolerance ↗ 1987
- Brake booster vacuum reservoir ↗ 1986–1987
- Throttle position sensor high idle ↗ 1989–1990
- Salt-belt front rotor corrosion ↗ 1990–1991
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Jeep years to avoid across every generation.