RoadVitals

1994 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.
519
Latest Oct 13, 2015
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.
9
Latest May 6, 2011
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.
9
1 currently open
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.
65
27 injuries, 5 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 519 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Jeep Cherokee, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and brakes categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 9 NHTSA investigations name it; and 29 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

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.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

May 6, 2011
1,126 units potentially affected
The defect: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1994-1996 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM JANUARY 2007, THROUGH APRIL 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT," FOR THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REQUIRED THIRD BRAKE LAMP.
The risk: INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHTView on NHTSA.gov

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.

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.

Safety investigations

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

RQ98023OpenRecall Query

BRAKE ROTOR DISC/HUB SEPARATION

Opened Nov 13, 1998

CHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-005, ON JANUARY 5, 1998, INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 225,000 1993 GRAND CHEROKEE, 1990-91 CHEROKEE, WRANGLER AND COMANCHEE, AND 1989-91 EAGLE PREMIER AND DODGE MONACO.THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE SALT BELT STATES.OWNERS IN CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSET, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WILL RECEIVE REPLACEMENT ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROPOTECTION.CHRYSLER BEGAN OWNER NOTIFICATION ON MARCH 9, 1998.ODI HAS RECEIVED 15 COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 1992-95 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR DISC HAD SEPARATED FROM ITS HUB, CAUSING THE VEHICLES TO SEVERELY PULL TO ONE SIDE AND/OR SIGNIFICANTLY EXTENDED ITS STOPPING DISTANCE.TWELVE OF 15 COMPLAINTS ORIGINATED FROM WITHIN THE RECALLED STATES.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTORLed to recall 98V005000
EA12005ClosedEngineering Analysis

Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2012
Closed Nov 14, 2014

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSLed to recall 13V252000
DP02005ClosedDefect Petition

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Apr 25, 2002
Closed Sep 10, 2002

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
EA01005ClosedEngineering Analysis

DOOR HINGE

Opened Jan 24, 2001
Closed Jul 15, 2002

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK CASE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000...UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ, 04/19/18 *JB *JS

NHTSA ID
10781739
Incident
Oct 9, 2015
Mileage
164,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jul 27, 2015
Crash reported1 death reported

MY MOTHER WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME INCLUDING THE SEAT TO COMPLETELY NOT HOLD TOGETHER,, MY MOTHER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AS IT PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER,, KILLING HER INSTANTLY.

NHTSA ID
10743933
Incident
Oct 19, 2012
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Jul 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE) AND 02V053000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10735186
Incident
Sep 19, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2014

AFTER RECEIVING THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE OF THE AFFECTED PARTS ON MY JEEP, I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE GIVEN A CALL BACK WHEN THE SPECIFIC PART CAME IN. 3 MONTHS PAST AND I RECEIVED NO CALL SO I DECIDED TO CALL AGAIN AND YET HAVE TO GET A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I WOULD HOPE THAT IF IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO SEND ME A RECALL NOTICE IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632026
Incident
Sep 9, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Jun 24, 2014

LAST YEAR THE NHTB ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE'S ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK PLACEMENT. IT WAS STATED EACH EFFECTED JEEP WOULD RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION FROM CHRYSLER TO INSTALL A TRAILER HITCH IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE GAS TANK FROM ERUPTING. EACH TIME I CALL CHRYSLER/JEEP AT THE 1-800 NUMBER, I RECEIVE "THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER AS WELL AS THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS". THIS HAS GONE ON FOR 11 MONTHS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION IN SITE. HOW LONG IS CHRYSLER ALLOWED TO PUT OFF INSTALLING THE TRAILER HITCHES ON THE VEHICLES? I PURCHASED A NEW WRANGLER IN APRIL 14 WITHOUT A TRAILER HITCH AND REQUESTED ONE BE PUT ON AND WITHIN A MONTH THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE HITCH. SO IS THERE REALLY A SHORTAGE? I DRIVE THE GRAND CHEROKEE TO WORK EVERY DAY AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 12 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE RESOLUTION NOW. PLEASE LET ME HOW THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO PROCEED AND BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605495
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2011
Crash reportedFire reported4 deaths reported

FOR AT LEAST A YEAR NOW THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE YOU RECALL JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES YEARS 1993-2004. THEY SAY THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 64 DEATHS DUE TO THIS DEFECT. JUST YESTERDAY, A FAMILY OF 4 WAS OUT ON A DRIVE WHEN THEY WERE REARENDED. THE JEEP BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PAPERS AND NEWS CHANNELS SAY THE GAS TANK WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AND IT JUST COULDN'T BE STOPPED. THE ENTIRE FAMILY, TWO CHILDREN, AGES 4 AND 11, AND THE PARENTS WERE KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT. I MYSELF DRIVE A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND MY GAS TANK IS IN THE BACK OF THE REAR AXLE AND NOT IN FRONT OF IT. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN, AGES 7 AND 12. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND CORRECT IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS TAKING MORE AND MORE LIVES AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. RECALL THE JEEPS AND MAKE CHRYSLER FIX THERE MESS UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10409104
Incident
Jun 26, 2011
Seat belts
Filed Aug 2, 2010

I HAVE A 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NOT ONLY LETS GO SUDDENLY, BUT OFTEN DOES NOT EVEN ENGAGE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10346889
Incident
Jul 28, 2010
Mileage
242,505 mi
Filed Apr 4, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER REQUESTING INFORMATION ON A 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS REAR ENDED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WAS PINNED IN THE SEAT BY THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10223937
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Manufacturer communications

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

R2118796A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.

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.

9002849

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.

9002849

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Part Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission Issue Description: The manual valve insulator, attaching rivet and instruction sheet are now available as a kit. If the insulator requires replacement please order kit 68253161AA. Insulator only used on Auto-RWD transmission Note: The color of the insulator is not relevant for service.

2302602

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC

2301702

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SUBJECT REGARDING DOOR SAG/CREAKING SOUND. *SLC

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
1994Viewing5199966.5
199341871566.7
19921135969.5
19912339667.7
19902709666.8
19891916366.4
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.