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
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Steering
BALL BEARING BUSHINGS RESTRAINED BY METAL BAND IN STEERING COLUMN BOTH SEPARATED AS WELL AS ELONGATE ALLOWING BALL BEARINGS TO FALL OUT, RESULTING IN STEERING LOCKING, POPPING NOISES AND LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAN BE EASILY DETECTED BY JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL, STEERING WHEEL WITH MOVE UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE…
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BALL BEARING BUSHINGS RESTRAINED BY METAL BAND IN STEERING COLUMN BOTH SEPARATED AS WELL AS ELONGATE ALLOWING BALL BEARINGS TO FALL OUT, RESULTING IN STEERING LOCKING, POPPING NOISES AND LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAN BE EASILY DETECTED BY JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL, STEERING WHEEL WITH MOVE UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE ONCE BEARINGS HAVE DISLODGED. I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT, SO I VISITED A JUNKYARD, I INSPECTED 7 JEEP CHEROKEE'S STEARING COLUMNS AND 2 HAD THIS PROBLEM. MY LAST INCIDENT WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS IN FEBRUARY 2000, I DISPOSED OF THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2000 DUE TO THIS REOCCURING PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722679
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
POSSIBELE ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE LOST SPEED AND OVER HEATED, CATCHING FIRE AND RSULTING IN TOTAL DAMAGE. YH
NHTSA ODI #551979
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
SuspensionVehicle Speed Control
1. ACCELERATOR STICKS INTERMITTENTLY, HAVE TO RESTART JEEP SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO IDLE DOWN. IF I AM TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF UP TO 3500 RPM MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART JEEP UNTIL IT UNSTICKS ITSELF. 2. HAVE NOTICED REALLY LOOSE FRONT END FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT…
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1. ACCELERATOR STICKS INTERMITTENTLY, HAVE TO RESTART JEEP SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO IDLE DOWN. IF I AM TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF UP TO 3500 RPM MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART JEEP UNTIL IT UNSTICKS ITSELF. 2. HAVE NOTICED REALLY LOOSE FRONT END FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT FROM DEALER. I REPLACED A TRACKING ARM AND FRONT SHOCKS, NOW IT IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE AT LOW SPEED TURNS, I READ UNDER NHTSA DEFECTS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720152
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEED CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE BY ITSELF WHENEVER VEHICLE REACHED 50-55 MPH, AND ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF NHTSA RCALLS # 87V-022 000, EQUIPMENT/SPEED CONTROL; AND 87V-035 000 : THROTTLE LINKAGES & ACCELERATOR. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UN…
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SPEED CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE BY ITSELF WHENEVER VEHICLE REACHED 50-55 MPH, AND ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF NHTSA RCALLS # 87V-022 000, EQUIPMENT/SPEED CONTROL; AND 87V-035 000 : THROTTLE LINKAGES & ACCELERATOR. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EITHER RECALL DUE TO VIN. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #841619
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE STAYED OPEN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #840890
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
EACH TIME THE ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR BEGAN LEAKING AT THE SEAM WHERE IT IS PUT TOGETHER, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MAN AT THE PARTS DEPT. SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED ALOT AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707608
Mileage unknown · May 11, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCEING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. RECALLS 87V035000, THROTTLE AND 88V106000, BRAKES. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT VIN NUMBER FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. *YH
NHTSA ODI #837750
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #706121
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
REPLACED IDLE SPEED UNIT AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS).
NHTSA ODI #781806
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Steering
STEERING COLUMN BOLT LOOSENED, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO COME APART.
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.#===
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