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1990 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 21 of 270 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports11 fire reports7 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

54 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2013
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 P…

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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 ODI #10537657

10,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE OWNED A JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1990 FOR YEARS NOW. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENTS MORE THAN TEN TIMES NOW, MOST RECENTLY IN 2008. IT SEEMS EACH TIME I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG, POSSIBLY BRAKING, AND ZOOM! THE ENGINE REVS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. IT IS LIKE DRIVING A CAR OUT OF CONT…

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I HAVE OWNED A JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1990 FOR YEARS NOW. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENTS MORE THAN TEN TIMES NOW, MOST RECENTLY IN 2008. IT SEEMS EACH TIME I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG, POSSIBLY BRAKING, AND ZOOM! THE ENGINE REVS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. IT IS LIKE DRIVING A CAR OUT OF CONTROL. I AM AWARE THAT CHRYSLER HAS BLAMED SUCH OCCURRENCES ON OPERATOR ERROR BUT, MORE THAN ONCE NOW, I HAVE CHECKED TO BE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THIS ACCELERATION WAS HAPPENING. THE WHOLE TIME I'M STOMPING ON THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AGAINST IT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO FASTER EVEN THOUGH I'M BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ENOUGH TIMES THAT I HAVE EVEN HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. I KNOW I SHOULD JUST BUY A NEW VEHICLE BUT I MORALLY I COULD NOT SELL IT TO ANYONE, NOR TRADE IT IN, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS REAL. I THINK CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MANY ACCIDENTS THIS HAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED OVER THE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315694

200,000 miles · Mar 30, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

VEHICLE WAS ON ROAD WHILE THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117097

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION, 2000-2500 RPMS AT STOP OR NEUTRAL WHEN NORMAL IS 800 RPMS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT OVER THREE YEARS. IN THE TWO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING STOPPED THE HIGH REVVING. THIS LAST TIME, IT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR 20 MINUTES. I HA…

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SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION, 2000-2500 RPMS AT STOP OR NEUTRAL WHEN NORMAL IS 800 RPMS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT OVER THREE YEARS. IN THE TWO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING STOPPED THE HIGH REVVING. THIS LAST TIME, IT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR 20 MINUTES. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE AND USE NEUTRAL IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. IF HAS EFI, ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND CRUISE CONTROL. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN BUT IT DOES HAPPEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068329

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN STARTING UP VEHICLE ENGINE RACES VERY HIGH, VHEICLE FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO TAKE OFF, CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011707

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE CONSUMER START THE THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8006534

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 90V17700/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 301T. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER REGARDING RECALL. DEALER STATED VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892461

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, AND RAN OVER OWNER'S WIFE. THIS OCCURRED IN JULY 1997.*AK ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP, VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND STRUCK A BARBEQUE GRILL, A SET OF STEPS, THEN HIS WIFE, WHERE SHE WAS CRUSHED AND THEN DRUG APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET, AT THE SCENE A PO…

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, AND RAN OVER OWNER'S WIFE. THIS OCCURRED IN JULY 1997.*AK ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP, VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND STRUCK A BARBEQUE GRILL, A SET OF STEPS, THEN HIS WIFE, WHERE SHE WAS CRUSHED AND THEN DRUG APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET, AT THE SCENE A POLICE OFFICER POINTED OUT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE MAT WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDALS, POSSIBLE THROTTLE FAILURE AND IN THE EVENT CONSUMER TRYING TO HIT THE BRAKES CAUSING THE MAT TO BE STUCK. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891979

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL INTERMITENTLY HAVE A HIGH IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED. VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED OI A SAFETY RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #886611

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IT HAS A VERY HIGH IDLE, AND IT GETS STUCK IN THIS POSITION. THEIR IS RECALL 90V117 FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #878587

Official recalls

5

98V005000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Jan 12, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

96V260000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Dec 27, 1996

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

91V003000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 2, 1991

THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LEAKING FROM THE LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO BREAK; FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO RESULTS IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE MASTERCYLINDER SNAP RING, RESULTING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKEHOSE DUE TO HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WILL CAUSE FAILURE OF ONE HALF OF THEBRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN EXPECTED.

Remedy: REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

91V063000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Apr 15, 1991

IMPROPER INSERTION/CRIMPING OF THE HOSE-TO-END FITTINGS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CAN CAUSE DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM, AND DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DISCHARGE OFHYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE AREA OF THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE.

90V177000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Oct 2, 1990

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HIGH ENGINE IDLE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PLACED IN GEAR COULDRESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.

Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

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

6

EA97001 · Brake Disc/hub Separation

Opened Jan 13, 1997 · Closed Jan 9, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE DISC FROM ITS HUB, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE.

PE96053 · Brake Disc/hub Separation

Opened Sep 5, 1996 · Closed Jan 13, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

consumer complaints indicate that corrosion of hte brake rotors have caused separation of the brake disc from its hub, resulting in brake failure.

PE95049 · Rear Axle Shaft Separation

Opened Aug 17, 1995 · Closed Jan 26, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

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.

PE93057 · Driveshaft/univ.joint Fail

Opened Jun 14, 1993 · Closed Oct 29, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

PE91067 · Steering Gear Lockup

Opened Apr 16, 1991 · Closed Jun 14, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA90024 · Failed Antilock Brakes

Opened Apr 26, 1990 · Closed Jan 14, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available