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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 →

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

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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170,468 miles · Apr 12, 2006
Power TrainCrash

PARTICULAR INCIDENT INVOLVED SAID VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARD DOWN A SUBTLE GRADE AFTER THE OWNER EXITED THE VEHICLE W/KEYS IN HAND. THE VEHICLE SHIFT LEVER WAS ENGAGED IN D (DRIVE) AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER CAR INCURRING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF SAID VEHICLE. WHEN VEH…

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PARTICULAR INCIDENT INVOLVED SAID VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARD DOWN A SUBTLE GRADE AFTER THE OWNER EXITED THE VEHICLE W/KEYS IN HAND. THE VEHICLE SHIFT LEVER WAS ENGAGED IN D (DRIVE) AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER CAR INCURRING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF SAID VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE MOTOR IS TURNED OFF, WHILE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS ENGAGED IN D (DRIVE), R (REVERSE), 3, OR 1-2 (LOW GEAR) AND IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, VEHICLE CAN MOVE FREELY FORWARD OR BACKWARD (AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR). FOLLOWING INCIDENT, CONDITIONS LEADING TO THE INCIDENT COULD BE RECREATED AT WILL (VEHICLE ROLLED FREELY WHILE IN GEAR AND ENGINE TURNED OFF). VEHICLE DOES NOT ROLL FREELY WHILE IN P (PARK). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155234

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2004
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED DOWN THE STREET, AND HIT A TREE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067301

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE 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

NHTSA ODI #8007578

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BOTH U-JOINTS IN THE FRONT AXLE WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #565106

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2001
Power TrainInjury

CHEROKEE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, TRAPPING DRIVER. DRIVER WAS THROWN ONTO CONCRETE AND JEEP DROVE OVER LEFT LEG, CRUSHING IT.

NHTSA ODI #9003265

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2001
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. TRANSMISSION IN PARK. PAKING BRAKE ON. DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE TO OPEN REAR LIFTGATE. AS SOON AS DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER DOOR KNOCKED THE DRIVER TO THE PAVEMENT AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ROLLED OVER PART OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND KNE…

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VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. TRANSMISSION IN PARK. PAKING BRAKE ON. DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE TO OPEN REAR LIFTGATE. AS SOON AS DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING BACKWARDS. THE DRIVER DOOR KNOCKED THE DRIVER TO THE PAVEMENT AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ROLLED OVER PART OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND KNEE INJURIES REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION AND 3 MORE FOLLOWUP SURGERIES. MORE FACIAL SURGERY MAY BE REQUIRED. THE DRIVERS VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE REAR STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARCKED ON LEVEL PAVEMENT. WITTNESSES WERE PRESENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747875

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE ENGINE IS ROUGHER SOUNDING FOR THE LOW MILES, EVEN THE GEARS SOUND TOO WORN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #727931

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Power Train

THE JEEP CHEROKEE EQUIPPED WITH THE AW4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ALL AUTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED SINCE THE BEGINING OF THE 1987 MODEL YEAR HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WILL CAUSE UNWANTED AND DANGEROUS AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM SECOND GEAR AT AN UNACCEPTABLE HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I…

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THE JEEP CHEROKEE EQUIPPED WITH THE AW4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH IS ALL AUTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED SINCE THE BEGINING OF THE 1987 MODEL YEAR HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WILL CAUSE UNWANTED AND DANGEROUS AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM SECOND GEAR AT AN UNACCEPTABLE HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IF THE OPERATOR HAS MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE 1-2 GEAR SHIFT POSITION FOR BETTER CONTROL AND ENGINE BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE SPEED DROPS BELOW 28 TO 23 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL WITHOUT WARNING ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR. IF THE VEHICLE IS ON WET, ICY OR GRAVEL COVERED ROADS IT WILL GO INTO A SKID CONDITION USUALLY WITH LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND CONTACTED CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER REPLYED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION AS PER ITS DESIGN. OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO I CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY INCLUDING THEIR ENGINEERS. THE SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT, HOWEVER NOT ENOUGH CUSTOMERS HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CONDITION TO WARRANT THEM TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE IT IS NOT MENTIONED IN THEIR OPERATORS MANUAL, AND IF SOMEONE LOST CONTROL THEY WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT HAD CAUSED IT. I THEN CAME UP WITH ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY THAT COULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I OFFERED IT TO THE COMPANY IN 1992 SO THEY COULD MAKE IT EITHER AVAILABLE TO THEIR PAST CUSTOMERS AND TO RE-DESIGN THE CIRCUITRY INTO THE NEW CHEROKEES PRODUCED SINCE THAT TIME. THEY DECLINED THE OFFER. THE DESIGN CHANGE WOULD NOT HAVE COST THEM MORE THAN $10.00 PER VEHICLE FOR RETROFITTING PAST VEHICLES AND LESS THAN $5.00 PER VEHICLE TO INCORPORATE THE CIRCUITRY INTO NEWLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFO AND CHRYSLERS RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.CHEROKEE-JEEP.COM THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #726289

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 1999
Power Train

CLUTCH PEDAL BROKEN WHERE THE CONTROL HORN ATTACHES TO THE PEDAL. THIS WAS WELDED TO THE PIVOT TUBE ON ONE SIDE ONLY, CAUSING ALL THE STRESS ON THIS COMPONENT TO BEAR ON A 1/4" SQUARE PIECE OF METAL.

NHTSA ODI #702016

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN RECALL WORK PERFORMED FOR SHIFT INTERLOCK THE SHIFT HANDLE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #541897

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.

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.

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

6

DP02005 · 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