1987 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1987 Jeep Cherokee, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance1929.7%
- Engine812.5%
- Steering710.9%
- Brakes69.4%
- Electrical57.8%
- Fuel system46.3%
- Seat belts46.3%
- Transmission34.7%
- Body & structure34.7%
- Tires & wheels34.7%
- Suspension23.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; 97I002000 CONCERNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL , RECALL 88V106000 CONCERNING THE POWER ASSIST HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES/RECALL 87V035000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES/ 86V159000 CONCERNING THE STEERING LINKAGES, AND 86V160000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVER: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYLSER, AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. *AK
WHEN BRAKING AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. RECALL 87V03500 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD RACE WHILE TRYING TO STOP AND WOULD OVERCOME THE USAGE OF FULL BRAKING. THE ENGINE RACING HAD OCCURRED DURING THE START OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WOULD BE TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, THEN WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. *SCC *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE IDLER PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND ALMOST HIT THE CONSUMERS HEAD, IT BOUNCED OFF THE CONSUMERS GARAGE WALL AND IMPACTED THE GARAGE CONCRETE FLOOR, THE BEARINGS WITHIN THE IDLER PULLEY FAILED, CAUSING THE PULLEY BOLT THREADS TO BACK OUT OF THE HOUSING. *YD
THE BEARINGS WITHIN THE IDLER PULLEY (NUMBER 53002905) FAILED CAUSING THE PULLEY BOLT THREADS TO BACK OUT OF THE HOUSING, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITH THE HOOD UP SLIGHTLY ABOVE ENGINE IDLE SPEED WHEN IDLER PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND BECAME AIRBORN. NLM
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME FOR DIAGNOSTICS TEST. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 86V159000 REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; 97I002000 CONCERNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL , RECALL 88V106000 CONCERNING THE POWER ASSIST HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES/RECALL 87V035000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES/ 86V159000 CONCERNING THE STEERING LINKAGES, AND 86V160000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVER: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYLSER, AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; 97I002000 CONCERNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL , RECALL 88V106000 CONCERNING THE POWER ASSIST HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES/RECALL 87V035000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES/ 86V159000 CONCERNING THE STEERING LINKAGES, AND 86V160000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVER: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYLSER, AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. *AK
VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCEING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. RECALLS 87V035000, THROTTLE AND 88V106000, BRAKES. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT VIN NUMBER FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS JEEP IS UNPREDICTABLE BECAUSE IT ACCELERATES FOR NO EXPECTED REASON IT SEEMS TO GET STUCK ON A HIGH THROTTLE IDLE SPEED WHEN I FIRST TURN IT ON. I WOULD TURN IT ON AND IT WILL ACCELERATE AT VERY HIGH REVOLUTIONS , IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO EXPLODE, SO I TURN IT OFF THEN ON AGAIN AND IT WILL DO THE SAME THING, I WILL TURN IT OFF AND ON A COUPLE OF TIMES AND MAYBE IT WILL GET BACK TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED, ALL THIS WHILE THE CAR IS IN PARK. AND SOMETIMES I WILL TURN IT ON AGAIN AND IT TURNS ON LIKE NORMAL LIKE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IF I TURN IT ON AND ITS ACCELERATED AND I TAKE FOR A RIDE IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO TAKE OFF ON ME AND WHEN I STEP ON THE CLUTCH IT MAKES A HISSING NOISE. THIS PROBLEM SUCKS BEACUSE WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE MACHANICS NOTHING SHOWS UP AS A PROBLEM ...BECAUSE IT IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN ITS GOING TO DO IT. SO I LOOK LIKE THE FOOL TRYING TO SHOW THE MECHANIC WHAT IT MAY DO.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE SEEPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; 97I002000 CONCERNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL , RECALL 88V106000 CONCERNING THE POWER ASSIST HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES/RECALL 87V035000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES/ 86V159000 CONCERNING THE STEERING LINKAGES, AND 86V160000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM DELIVER: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CONTACTED DAIMLER/CHRYLSER, AND THEY STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. *AK
WHILE WIFE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE SHE WAS REAR ENDED. THE GAS TANK, LOCATED IN THE REAR RUPTURED, CAUSING A FIRE AND SUFFERED A FATALITY WHEN THE FIRE BLEW OUT ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS THAT WAS SITTING IN REAR SEAT. CLAIMS THAT PLACEMENT OF TANK IN REAR OF VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, UNBLE TO UNLOC K SEAT BELT TO REMOVE IT. *AK
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE BROKE AND NO LONGER LATCHES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR. NLM
REINFORCEMENT RUBBER HOSE PORTION OF HYDRAULIC CLUTCH LINE RUNS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, HEAT DESTROYED RUBBER HOSE, CAUSING IT TO BURST WHEN CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED, PREVENTING SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH REAR BUMPER BRACKETS COMPLETLY RUSTED OUT & REAR BUMPER DISCONNECTED FROM RIGHT BRACKET & HANGING ONLY BY ONE BRACKET & DRAGGING ON GROUND BEHIND VEHICLE AS IT WAS MOVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE BUMPER COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND PRESENTED A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UPPER HINGE WELD IS BROKEN. DRIVER CAN NOT GET IN OR OUT OF DOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER NOTICED PINK FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. THE GASKET AND SEALS WERE REPLACED ON THE TRANSFER CASE. HOWEVER THE LEAK CONTINUED. AFTER PARTS WERE REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION WAS PUT ON DEALERSHIP FOUND A POROUS LEAK IN WHICH A SMALL PIN HOLE WAS IN THE SIDE TOP OF TRANSFER CASE NEAR AIR VENT. THE TRANSFER CASE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC
CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY FRONT RIGHT TIRES TREAD COMPLETELY PEELED OFF, CONSUMERS SON BRIEFLY LOST CONTROL OF AUTO, NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED, TIRES ONLY HAD 8-10000 MILES- THEY WERE FIRESTONE TIRES SIZE P205R/7515 FR360.*AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. ACCELERATOR STICKS INTERMITTENTLY, HAVE TO RESTART JEEP SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO IDLE DOWN. IF I AM TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF UP TO 3500 RPM MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART JEEP UNTIL IT UNSTICKS ITSELF. 2. HAVE NOTICED REALLY LOOSE FRONT END FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALER. I REPLACED A TRACKING ARM AND FRONT SHOCKS, NOW IT IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE AT LOW SPEED TURNS, I READ UNDER NHTSA DEFECTS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE'S STABILITY IS VERY POOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER DURING A COLLISION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .