1992 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 1992 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
- Brakes4029.4%
- Driver assistance1914.0%
- Body & structure118.1%
- Engine118.1%
- Transmission96.6%
- Electrical85.9%
- Interior & seats75.1%
- Powertrain (other)64.4%
- Seat belts53.7%
- Tires & wheels42.9%
- Suspension42.9%
- Steering32.2%
- Fuel system32.2%
- Exterior lighting32.2%
- Other / unspecified21.5%
- Visibility10.7%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT CALLED MOPAR AND THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER; BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY MOPAR TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED 21 YEARS AGO BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAVING ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART, AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGES TO GARAGE. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *YH
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS.*MR AFTER HAVING PAID FOR REPAIRS ON HIS CAR, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE ROTORS.*CB ALSO WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR. *JB
SPRING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK FLEW OFF, CAUSING SEAT TO ABRUPTLY FLY FORWARD, FLOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE ALWAYS SATURATED FROM RAIN, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED SPRING TO RUST. CJ
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR HAS BEEN STEADILY LOSING OIL FOR THE LAST MONTH AND I AFTER I CAME BACK FROM LUNCH AT WORK ONE DAY, WHICH WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING SO I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR A HALF AN HOUR THEN WENT DIRECTLY TO THE GAS STATION WHERE HE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPAIRED, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND IF HE TOOK IT APART IT WOULD END UP COSTING MORE THAN THE CAR WAS WORTH. SINCE WE JUST PAID THE CAR OFF, I WAS HOPING THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE CRACKED MANIFOLD. IT HAS BEEN STEADILY LOSING OIL AND I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN ALMOST EVERY OTHER WEEK NOW, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. ALSO AT TIMES THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH DOES NOT WORK AS THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE MY CAR WILL NOT START AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IT WILL START. *LA
CONSUMER STATES HER JEEP VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN SHE MAKES A TURN IT REALLY VIBRATES. SHE SAYS SHE HAS TAKEN IT TO FOUR DEALERS AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. *NLM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN PUTTING GEAR INTO REVERSE FROM PARK VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE.*AK
LOCK ON TRANSMISSION TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM JUMPING INTO GEAR. RECALL 733 WAS REPAIRED BY ANOTHER PART AND CHRYSLER DOES NOT WANT TO PAY THE BILL.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TOWING A BOAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
IGNITION BROKE AND VEHICLE CAN START WITHOUT A KEY, AND STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
(1) COVER ON INTERIOR HALOGEN LAMP FELL OFF. (2) HALOGEN LAMP WAS EXPOSED AND FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD SUFFERED BURNS TO HAND FROM HALOGEN LAMP. (3) HALOGEN LAMP WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. *JB
SPRING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK FLEW OFF, CAUSING SEAT TO ABRUPTLY FLY FORWARD, FLOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE ALWAYS SATURATED FROM RAIN, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED SPRING TO RUST. CJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEAR SIR/MADAM: I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION MATTERS RELATED TO A CERTAIN SAFETY DEFECT WHICH I BELIEVE RESULTED IN CAR CRASHES CAUSED BY THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF DAIMLER/CHRYSLER'S, CHRYSLER GROUP VEHICLES. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IS MY FORMER EMPLOYER AND I WORKED THERE AS AN ENGINEER. DURING MY TENURE THERE, I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE GROUP THAT NOW HAS AS ITS MEMBERS, THE CORPORATIONS EXPERT WITNESS DEFENDING THE CORPORATION IN LAW SUITS RELATED TO THESE CRASHES. THIS SAME GROUP WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND RELEASING THE CONTROLS WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT IN TIME I WAS PART OF THE TEAM AT DAILMER/CHRYSLER THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING CRASHES CAUSED BY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ACCORDINGLY, I BELIEVE THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME VERY GOOD IF NOT EXCLUSIVE INSIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CAR CRASHES ARE THE RESULT OF DAILMER/CHRYSLERS FLAGRANT NEGLIGENCE IN DEVELOPING THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE CRASHES. IF MY ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOU, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I AM WILLING TO HELP IN WHATEVER CAPACITY I CAN. IT IS WRONG THAT DAILMER/CHRYSLER BUILT AND SOLD VEHICLES WHICH MAY HURT IF NOT KILL SOMEONE. REGARDLESS OF YOUR DISPOSITION OF THIS MATTER, IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A REPLY ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 18, 2003 OUTLINING YOU INTENDED COURSE OF ACTION TO MY CONCERN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. *NLM
AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THEN INTO DRIVE, SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK.
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
DURING AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT ON THE 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON IMPACT. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED FACIAL AND HEAD INJURIES AS A RESULT. *NM
REAR BENCH MIDDLE SEAT SEATBELT ASSEMBLY HAS COME COMPLETELY APART. CONSUMER STATES PASSENGERS ARE NOT RESTRAINED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
DOUGLAS TIRE 215/75R15, 1200 MILES ON TIRES ALL AT 55 TO 60 MPH. I HAD THEM BALANCED AND AT SLOW SPEED THEY WERE SMOOTH. THE FOLLOWING DAY I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 TO 70 MPH AND I COULD HEAR A LOUD SLAPPING NOISE AND THE CAR SHOOK. AT HIGH SPEEDS THE TIRES MUST TAKE ON A DIFFERENT SHAPE. WALMART REFUSED ANY CONCESSION SO I'M CONFINED TO SLOW DRIVING UNTIL I CAN AFFORD ANOTHER SET OF TIRES; ANOTHER BRAND THAT IS. MY TIRE LINE IS XTRA-TRAC II (ROMAN NUMERAL 2). YOU DON'T GIVE ME THE OPTION TO SELECT THAT LINE. I CANNOT TELL WHILE DRIVING WHICH TIRE OR HOW MANY TIRES ARE BECOMING DEFORMED WHILE DRIVING. PARKED, THEY ALL LOOK GOOD. *KB
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT P255/70R15 SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ON 7/4/99. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDM2AWR246 TIRESIZE: P255/70R15) (DOT NUMBER: VDM2AWR246 TIRESIZE: P255/70R15) (DOT NUMBER: VDM2AWR246 TIRESIZE: P255/70R15)
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
WHENEVER CONSUMER DRIVES OVER A BUMP AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH AND ABOVE, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES BADLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO 6 DIFFERENT MECHANICS FOR A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. *AK *SLC
THE REAR HATCH OF THE VEHICLE OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. WHEN I GOT TO 60 I NOTICED MY SUV BEGAN TO SHAKE. HITTING A BUMP MOST OF THE TIME STARTS THE PROBLEM. IT VIBRATED SO MUCH AND SO LOUDLY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 55. I TOOK IT TO THE FIRST MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE "STEERING STABILIZER" IT DID COST ABOUT $150-$300 TO FIX. I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY BUT IT WASN'T CHEAP. IT WORKED FOR AWHILE. I HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL OTHER CAR SERVICE COMPANIES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE MOMENT IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN THIS STARTED BUT IF I GO OVER 60 THERE IS A 90% CHANCE OF IT HAPPENING. IF I GO OVER 60 AND HIT A BUMP THERE IS A 100% CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING.
FAILURE OF THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE STEERING GEAR IS BAD, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. *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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS.*MR AFTER HAVING PAID FOR REPAIRS ON HIS CAR, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE ROTORS.*CB ALSO WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR. *JB
THE FUEL TANK HAS RUSTED OUT AND IT IS 39 MONTHS OLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR HATCH OF THE VEHICLE OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NLM
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR HATCH OF THE VEHICLE OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. NLM
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE WHEEL CAME FLYING OFF AND THE LUGS: NUTS CAME OFF ALSO. REGAINED TIRE; THE WHEEL WAS TORN WHERE ALL THE LUGS: NUTS WERE LOCATED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE WHEEL COMING OFF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO OPEN, WHEN LOCK WAS DISENGAGED. TT
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 .