RoadVitals

1989 Jeep Cherokee

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
191
Latest May 2, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
29
16 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 191 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Jeep Cherokee, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 20 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
97I002000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

May 2, 1997
1,010,400 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
The risk: PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93057ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL

Opened Jun 14, 1993
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
EA90024ClosedEngineering Analysis

FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES

Opened Apr 26, 1990
Closed Jan 14, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 91V003000
PE90033ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES

Opened Jan 16, 1990
Closed Apr 26, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 191
Brakes
Filed May 2, 2019

I HAD MY JEEP TOWED TO THE DEALER AS I HAD NO BRAKES AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT THE ABS PUMP AND COMPONENTS WERE BAD, AND IT WOULD COST $1600 TO CONVERT IT TO NON ABS WITH MASTER CYLINDER, BOOSTER AND CUSTOM BRAKE LINES. I ASKED WHY IT WASN'T COVERED AS THE RECALL STATED THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD PICK UP MY JEEP AND THEY COULD ORDER THE PARTS, BUT THEY WOULD NEVER ARRIVE. I THEN CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLY TO BE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND FOR 10 DAYS. AFTER SPEAKING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, I DEMANDED A SUPERVISOR WHO ALSO STATED THEY COULDN'T HELP ME DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE(1989 JEEP CHEROKEE). I EXPLAINED THAT ON THEIR WEBSITE UNDER MY VIN THAT THE RECALL STATED IT WAS COVERED FOR LIFE, MEANING AGE DIDN'T MATTER. THEY STATED THAT I WAS ON THE HOOK FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY COULDN'T CONTACT THE DEALER TO REDUCE THE COST, AND OFFERED NO HELP WHATSOEVER. HOW IS THIS LEGAL? THIS ISN'T A LOCK OR HINGE, IT'S MY ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
11205390
Incident
Apr 23, 2019
Mileage
255,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2016

DEALERSHIP CAN NOT GET PARTS TO FIX THE ABS BRAKES WHICH WERE RECALLED AND HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. MY JEEP HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE NOVEMBER 2015 WAITING FOR PARTS. NOW THEY TELL US THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THEM. I HAVE PAID ABOUT $350 TOWARDS ABS PARTS DURING THE TIME THAT IT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE PARTS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
10872607
Incident
May 31, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 2, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I DROVE IT FOR 6 WEEKS. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 75 MPH WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DELAMINATED AND CAUSED A WRECK IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED 3 TIMES I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH MINOR INJURYS. THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE DOT STAMP IS AS FOLLOWS.BEYK8L1328.

NHTSA ID
10862565
Incident
Apr 3, 2016
Mileage
219,051 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO 22 MPH OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SEIZE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID
10743940
Incident
Jul 16, 2015
Mileage
97,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE PART ONE MONTH LATER OR PROVIDE A DATE OF ARRIVAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE WHEN APPLIED. THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 304,074.

NHTSA ID
10558216
Incident
Aug 8, 2013
Mileage
304,074 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555425
Incident
Dec 11, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2013

1989 JEEP CHEROKEE. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEM AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 24, 2013 FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE CONSUMER HAS MADE NUMEROUS CALLS TO THE DEALER TO TRY AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEM WAS A LIFETIME RECALL AND IT WOULD BE RECTIFIED. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN 9 MONTHS, AND THE REPLACEMENT STILL HASN'T OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
10551258
Incident
Jan 24, 2013
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO OTHER BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES THAT WERE PRESENT. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WISH TO HAVE THE OTHER FAILURES CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,251 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10220927
Incident
Nov 6, 2007
Mileage
127,251 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-014-15

EQUIPMENT

Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no longer supported with OEM retrofit kits. NOTE: Dealers are encouraged to honor any customers? request for the installation of the Child Seat Tether Anchors and Dealer reimbursement will be made by FCA US LLC regardless of vehicle age or mileage. See the Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual and/or Warranty Bulletin D-08-33 for reimbursement detail.

2302602

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

2300800B

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Jeep Cherokee by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026320—
2025000—
2024000—
2023310—
2022483059.9
20211504064.9
20202783061.9
20191,61111060.1
20186807159.9
20171,3256158.7
20161,4039260.8
20151,78011461.1
20142,63913359.2
2006170027.2
20012298160.7
20003697161.4
19993668161.0
199839811159.0
199739010263.1
199644710161.9
199560811967.7
19945199966.5
199341871566.7
19921135969.5
19912339667.7
19902709666.8
1989Viewing1916366.4
1988974361.9
1987579767.9
1986218367.6
1985177465.4
1984774—
1983013—
1982022—
1981122—
1980132—
1979021—
1978120—
1977010—
1976041—
1975050—
1974031—
1973100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.