Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 57 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
57 reports
11,000 miles · Feb 8, 2006
Steering
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…
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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 86V16000…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10142616
67,000 miles · Nov 9, 2004
Power Train
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 NE…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10091719
131,000 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Steering
STEERING COLUMN SNAPPED. AS A RESULT, STEERING FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067370
72,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Equipment
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10070419
200,000 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
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 STO…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10041963
90,000 miles · Apr 27, 2003
Steering
STEERING COLUMN WOBBLES AT TILT JOINT . ON LEFT TURNS, STEERING COLUMN LOCKS IN POSITION MAKING CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016576
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING IN FRONT OF A HOSPITAL ENTRANCE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014853
280,000 miles · Dec 30, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. AND ROLL THREE OR MORE TIMES. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001699
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
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
BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CANNISTERS WITH NEW TYPE CANNISTERS; ALSO, INSTALL A RESTRICTION ORIFICE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT VACUUM IN EVENT CANNISTER LEAKAGE OCCURS.
A STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON TOP OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF ENGINE THAT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CHAFING OF THE FUEL HOSE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REMOVE STUD AND REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE AND LINE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE.
STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS REMAINED IN ACID ETCHING BATH TOO LONG. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COUPLERS COULD BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN STEERING WHEEL MISALIGNMENT WITH EVENTUAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE OUT OF TOLERANCE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7
PE89151 · Safety Belt Retractor
Opened Aug 11, 1989 · Closed Dec 11, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:retractor
===
PE89095 · Cruise Control Erratic
Opened Mar 1, 1989 · Closed Jun 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
===
EA88025 · Stalling
Opened Mar 10, 1988 · Closed Oct 3, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:THE MULTI-POINT INJECTIONSYSTEM (MPI) USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAS HAD WIRING HARNESS FAILUREAND FAILURE OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CPS).BOTH FAILURES HAVE A HIGHFREQUENCY AND ARE THE SUBJECT OF JEEP TASK FORCES.NUMEROUS MODIFICATIONSTO BOTH ITEMS HAVE BEEN MADE.ANALYSIS:THE STALLING PROBLEM IS SEMI-INTERMITTENT, THAT IS WIRINGHARNESS FAILURE IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS WHERE THEHARNESS IS DISTURBED (CORNERING AND ROUGH ROAD).CPS FAILURE CAN OCCUR ANYTIME, BUT FAILURE APPEARS TO BE ACCENTUATED BY HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES(EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS, ETC.) AND DISTORTION OF THE CPS HOUSING FROMEXHAUST HEAT DAMAGE OR THERMAL FLEXING.BOTH CONDITIONS RESULT IN NOSIGNAL.STATUS:RECOMMEND OPENING EA AND SENDING A MORE REFINED IR.===
PE88029 · Throttle Control
Opened Feb 23, 1988 · Closed Sep 19, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY:THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDERENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES.AREVIEW OF THE ODI FILES HAD INDICATED THAT 1987-1988 JEEP VEHICLESEQUIPPED WITH THE 4.O LITER ENGINE ALSO WERE EXPERIENCING SOME THROTTLECONTROL PROBLEM.A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THE AVAILABLEINCIDENT REPORTS DOES NOT INDICATE THAT A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND EXISTSOR IS DEVELOPING.THE WARRANTY CLAIMS ATTENUATE, AND THE ALLEDGEDINCIDENTS APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FACTORS. #===
EA88005 · Elec. Rear Window
Opened Oct 23, 1987 · Closed Mar 28, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI EXAMINATION OF VEHICLES SUGGESTS THATIMPINGEMENT OF THE TAILGATE LOCK DUST COVER AGAINST THE KEY MAY EITHERINDUCE OR CONTINUE UNINTENDED UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE TAILGATE WINDOW.STATUS:CHRYSLER RECALLED BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 19, 1987.HOWEVER,WE BELIEVE THAT THE SELF EXAMINATION CALLED FOR IN THE RECALL NOTICE DOESNOT MEET WITH THE INTENT OF THE LAW.CHRYSLER HAS BEEN REQUESTED TOREEXAMINE THE RECALL BY LETTER DATED 11/20/87.
PE88001 · Fires Caused By Cltch Lk
Opened Oct 23, 1987 · Closed Jan 28, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
PE87048 · High Speed Stalling
Opened Aug 19, 1987 · Closed Mar 10, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:THE FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDER(242 CID) IN-LINE ENGINE IS APPARENTLY NEW TO THE INSTALLATION INTO THEJEEP CHEROKEE.ANALYSIS:THE FUEL INJECTED ENGINE ALLEGEDLY STALLS WHILE THE VEHICLE ISCRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (35-55MPH).TWO FAILURE MODES HAVE BEENIDENTIFIED, STALLING WHEN CORNERING OR GOING OVER A BUMP AND THE OTHERIS ENGINE STALL WHILE CRUISING--USUALLY IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURESITUATIONS.JEEP HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDGASKET FIT TO THE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH AFFECTS THE HIGH TEMPERATUREPERFORMANCE OF THE CPS (CRANK POSITION SENSOR/ENGINE SPEED SENSOR)MODULE. CHRYSLER/JEEP HAS A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE PROBLEM.STATUS:CRECOMMEND CLOSING THIS PE AND CONTINUING THE ANALYSIS IN AN EA.#===
1987 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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