EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1990 Jeep Cherokee
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 270 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Jeep Cherokee, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and engine categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 18 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 165 |
| Apr 1999 | 4 | 169 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 170 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 172 |
| Jul 1999 | 5 | 177 |
| Aug 1999 | 2 | 179 |
| Sep 1999 | 7 | 186 |
| Oct 1999 | 3 | 189 |
| Nov 1999 | 6 | 195 |
| Feb 2000 | 3 | 198 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 199 |
| Apr 2000 | 2 | 201 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 202 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 203 |
| Jul 2000 | 2 | 205 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 206 |
| Nov 2000 | 1 | 207 |
| Dec 2000 | 2 | 209 |
| Jan 2001 | 5 | 214 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 216 |
| Apr 2001 | 3 | 219 |
| Jul 2001 | 4 | 223 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 224 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 225 |
| Mar 2002 | 2 | 227 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 228 |
| Jun 2002 | 3 | 231 |
| Jul 2002 | 2 | 233 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 234 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 235 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 236 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 237 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 238 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 240 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 241 |
| Dec 2003 | 3 | 244 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 245 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 246 |
| Jul 2004 | 2 | 248 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 249 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 250 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 251 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 252 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 253 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 254 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 255 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 256 |
| May 2008 | 1 | 257 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 258 |
| Mar 2010 | 2 | 260 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 261 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 262 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 263 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 264 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 265 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 266 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 267 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 268 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 269 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 270 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes15347.7%
- Driver assistance5416.8%
- Engine299.0%
- Fuel system165.0%
- Transmission134.0%
- Interior & seats113.4%
- Seat belts72.2%
- Electrical72.2%
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
9 campaigns cover this model year
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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE DISC FROM ITS HUB, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE.
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
consumer complaints indicate that corrosion of hte brake rotors have caused separation of the brake disc from its hub, resulting in brake failure.
REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE MODE AND THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY POSED BY ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE SEPARATIONS.THE REAR AXLE SHAFT AND HOUSING DESIGN IS TYPICAL OF THOSE IN WHICH THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS CARRIED ON THE AXLE HOUSING.THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE SHAFTS, SUPPORTED BY ROLLER BEARINGS, ARE SITUATED INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING.THE INBOARD SPLINED END OF THE AXLE SHAFT RECEIVES POWER TRANSMITTED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, PROVIDING TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS.THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THAT THE AXLE SHAFT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE ENTIRE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT FAILURE.AS IDENTIFIED BY CHRYSLER, THE SUBJECT REAR AXLES ARE DANA 35C AND 35CM MODELS, WHICH HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SINCE THE 1990 MODEL YEAR.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT AXLE SHAFTS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.SEE HARD COPY RESUME FOR FULL TEXT OF SUMMARY.
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 1990 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he increasingly applied pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. There was a 100-feet stopping distance delay. The dealer was notified of the failure and declined to diagnose the vehicle. The contact provided a description of the failure to the dealer who informed him that the brake pump motor assembly needed to be replaced; however, the parts were no longer available nationwide. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V260000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which he associated with the failure; however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 195,492.
- NHTSA ID
- 11491351
- Incident
- Oct 28, 2021
- Mileage
- 195,492 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE VACUUM PUMP MOTOR FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM LOCATED AT (6300 KING DR, VENTURA, CA 93003 (805) 323-3363) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11315821
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 164,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) YEARS BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6300 KING DR, VENTURA, CA 93003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER MAKING THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11184643
- Incident
- Mar 2, 2019
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE BRAKE PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PARTS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (7911 W ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, (708) 366-1001) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR BOTH PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11083945
- Incident
- Feb 1, 1995
- Mileage
- 52,000 mi
MY 4YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME WHEN MY BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY WENT OUT AT ABOUT 45MPH. LUCKILY WE WERE ON A STRAIGHT COUNTRY BACKROAD WITH A GRAVEL SHOULDER TO AID IN SLOWING DOWN. TOWED THE JEEP TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS LATER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON 04/24/2017 WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE TO BE THE ACTUATOR PUMP UNDER A #702 RECALL. I WAS GIVEN 2 OPTIONS, SELL MY JEEP TO CHRYSLER FOR ~$600 OR GET IT REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS WITH BOTH PARTS AND LABOR TO BE COVERED BY CHRYSLER. CONSIDERING I HAD PURCHASED THE XJ (SO CLEAN AT THE TIME) FOR $3000 PLUS HAD DROPPED $1,100 ON NEW TIRES TWO MONTHS PRIOR IN FEBRUARY I DID NOT FIND SELLING IT FOR ~$600 A FINANCIALLY WISE DECISION. SO I OPTED WITH GETTING THE PARTS REPLACED. WELL FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS NOW WHENEVER I CHECK IN ON MY JEEP, THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME THEY ARE STILL WAITING ON PART NUMBERS FROM CHRYSLER SINCE THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT COME ACROSS THIS RECALL YET AND WHEN I CONTACT CHRYSLER I AM JUST INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE ORIGINAL PARTS AND ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR ONE LEFT OUT THERE. THIS LAST WEEK THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE AN ORIGINAL PART PLUS THE OFFER STILL STANDS FOR ~$600. I HAVE YET TO GET A RESPONSE THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT THE OTHER OPTION I ORIGINALLY AGREED UPON (REPLACING WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS). I DON'T SEE $600 AS A SOLUTION TO THE RECALL AS BOTH NADA AND KBB PRICE MY JEEP FROM $2,200-$4,900 IN MY AREA (BEND, OR). I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO GET MY BELOVED JEEP BACK UP TO SAFETY STANDARDS FOR MY DAUGHTER AND I. I LOVE JEEP, PROBABLY ALWAYS WILL BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE SHORTED MONEY OR SAFETY BECAUSE OF NEGLECT TO REPAIR. THANKS FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ THIS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11014769
- Incident
- Apr 24, 2017
- Mileage
- 196,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN UNKNOWN HISSING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE LIFETIME WARRANTY COULD NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,160. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10865786
- Incident
- Mar 4, 2016
- Mileage
- 188,160 mi
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO VACUUM PUMP FAILURE. CHECKED RECALLS AND SAFETY RECALL #318T WAS ISSUED JULY 1991. CHRYSLER STATES THERE ARE NO PARTS AND THEREFORE WILL NOT EFFECT RECALL. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10653938
- Incident
- Oct 10, 2014
- Mileage
- 21,452 mi
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT IN ARCADIA, FL IN MARCH 2013. *SMD A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, ACROSS FROM TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT WERE PARKED. THE OWNERS DAUGHTER GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE JEEP,STARTED IT AND PLACED IT IN DRIVE, WITH THE INTENTION OF REMOVING IT FROM THE DITCH, AS SHE FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL, THE JEEP FLEW OUT OF THE DITCH GOING AIRBORNE, AND KNOCKED DOWN THE OWNER TO THE GROUND, CAUSING BRUISES, NEXT, THE JEEP FLEW OVER THE ROAD NEVER TOUCHING THE PAVEMENT, THE DRIVER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, PRESUMABLY OUT OF FEAR, UNTIL IT RESTED ON TOP OF TWO PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, WHO WAS NOT LICENSED, CLAIMED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, THE WRECKER SERVICE, WHO WAS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IN PARK IN ORDER TO START IT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10537657
- Incident
- Mar 24, 2013
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
SEATS
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
SEATS
SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 59.9 |
| 2021 | 150 | 4 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2020 | 278 | 3 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 2019 | 1,611 | 11 | 0 | 60.1 |
| 2018 | 680 | 7 | 1 | 59.9 |
| 2017 | 1,325 | 6 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2016 | 1,403 | 9 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2015 | 1,780 | 11 | 4 | 61.1 |
| 2014 | 2,639 | 13 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 2006 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 27.2 |
| 2001 | 229 | 8 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 2000 | 369 | 7 | 1 | 61.4 |
| 1999 | 366 | 8 | 1 | 61.0 |
| 1998 | 398 | 11 | 1 | 59.0 |
| 1997 | 390 | 10 | 2 | 63.1 |
| 1996 | 447 | 10 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 1995 | 608 | 11 | 9 | 67.7 |
| 1994 | 519 | 9 | 9 | 66.5 |
| 1993 | 418 | 7 | 15 | 66.7 |
| 1992 | 113 | 5 | 9 | 69.5 |
| 1991 | 233 | 9 | 6 | 67.7 |
| 1990Viewing | 270 | 9 | 6 | 66.8 |
| 1989 | 191 | 6 | 3 | 66.4 |
| 1988 | 97 | 4 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 1987 | 57 | 9 | 7 | 67.9 |
| 1986 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 67.6 |
| 1985 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 65.4 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1980 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.