IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRUNK AREA DUE TO TAIL PIPE BEING TOO CLOSE TO FLOOR MELTED, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK
1991 Jeep Cherokee
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cherokee years
Owner complaints for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 22 of 233 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 145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
17 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH LOST ALL POWER AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, LOSING TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD TO BE PUSHED ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE GAVE NO WARNING. TOOK TO DEALER, PROBLEM WAS NOT REMEDIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
BOTH U-JOINTS IN THE FRONT AXLE WERE REPLACED. *SLC
THE ENGINE IS ROUGHER SOUNDING FOR THE LOW MILES, EVEN THE GEARS SOUND TOO WORN. *AK
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE FIRE. NLM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE MAKES SQUEAKING NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT: PULLEY DUE TO WOBBLING. HAD SERPENTINE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THEN PARKED VEHICLE. DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT INTO HER WORK PLACE, AND SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE. THE FIRE BURNED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE/DASH BOARD AND THE ROOF. THE CONSUMER LOST HER VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THEN PARKED VEHICLE. DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT INTO HER WORK PLACE, AND SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE. THE FIRE BURNED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE/DASH BOARD AND THE ROOF. THE CONSUMER LOST HER VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
OIL PAN AROUND DRAIN PLUG CONTINUOUSLY LEAKS OIL.
Official recalls
598V005000 · 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.
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.
91V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 11, 1991
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BRAKE FLUID TUBE MAY ALLOW THE TUBE TO CONTACT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DAMAGING THE TUBE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AND RESULT IN PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.
Remedy: REPOSITION BRAKE TUBE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH STEERING SHAFT; ALSO, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBES.
90V206000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Dec 18, 1990
SUSPENSION JOUNCE BUMPER COULD CONTACT LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBE WHEN SUSPENSION IS AT FULL JOUNCE (BOUNCE).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTACT AT FULL JOUNCE MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE TUBE TOCOLLAPSE AND RESTRICT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKEWHICH AFFECTS THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: REPLACE LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBE WITH TUBE DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH BUMPER.
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
6DP02005 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Apr 25, 2002 · Closed Sep 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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.
DP95007 · Vehicle Sudden Acceleration
Opened Nov 17, 1995 · Closed Dec 5, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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