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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

145 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 96V260000 CONCERNING ANTI LOCK BRAKES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE WEEKS TRYING TO GET RECALL CORRECTED, AND CONTACT KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DEALERSHIP, TELLING HIM DIFFERENT STORIES REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EVEN DONE THE DIA…

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DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 96V260000 CONCERNING ANTI LOCK BRAKES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE WEEKS TRYING TO GET RECALL CORRECTED, AND CONTACT KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DEALERSHIP, TELLING HIM DIFFERENT STORIES REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EVEN DONE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND AS OF RIGHT NOW THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER THE PARTS, BUT WERE UNCERTAIN OF DATE OF AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED HE COULD CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND MAYBE TAKE IT SOME WHERE ELSE, BUT REALLY NOTHING FOR SURE OF WHAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10129210

135,000 miles · Jul 14, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

SECOND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE (UNDER RECALL 96V260000). PUMP MOTOR / ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL FAILURE FOR SECOND TIME. CAUSED ACCUMULATOR TO FAIL - MANUFACTURER REFUSES STAND BEHIND ABS SYSTEM - WILL REPAIR ONLY THE PART UNDER LIFETIME RECALL. HAVE HAD TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS PRODUCT FAILURE. ALL POWER ASSIST IS…

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SECOND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE (UNDER RECALL 96V260000). PUMP MOTOR / ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL FAILURE FOR SECOND TIME. CAUSED ACCUMULATOR TO FAIL - MANUFACTURER REFUSES STAND BEHIND ABS SYSTEM - WILL REPAIR ONLY THE PART UNDER LIFETIME RECALL. HAVE HAD TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS PRODUCT FAILURE. ALL POWER ASSIST IS LOST TO BRAKES - LEFT WITH MANUAL BRAKES ONLY - BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, PUMP RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES/HUMS WHEN DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10128795

165,000 miles · Jun 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, THE ABS SYSTEM IS RUNNING CONTENTIOUSLLY, THERE WAS A RECALL AND HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE, HOWEVER, HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLINCONSUMER THE DEFECTIVE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10126016

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES DID NOT OPERATE. THE ABS CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ABOUT 3 SECONDS LATER AND THE OWNER HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10111341

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS ALWAYS ACTIVATES AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, PRODUCING A LOUD CLICKING, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND PULLING CAR SHARPLY TO RIGHT AND LEFT. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. ABOUT EVERY 5 MONTHS, CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH PARKING BRAKE LIGHT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS LASTS ANYWHERE …

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ABS ALWAYS ACTIVATES AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, PRODUCING A LOUD CLICKING, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND PULLING CAR SHARPLY TO RIGHT AND LEFT. CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. ABOUT EVERY 5 MONTHS, CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH PARKING BRAKE LIGHT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 10 MINUTES TO 2 DAYS, UNTIL EVERYTHING SUDDENLY TURNS BACK ON AND BRAKING IS RESTORED. DEALER CANNOT SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087009

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PUMP ON 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059402

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL WORK, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE PUMP AND MOTOR ON THE ABS. ALSO THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. WHEN THE CONSUMER LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SHE DROVE TO AN INTERSECTION, AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A STOP SIGN. WHEN SHE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE MOT LIABLE F…

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THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL WORK, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE PUMP AND MOTOR ON THE ABS. ALSO THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. WHEN THE CONSUMER LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SHE DROVE TO AN INTERSECTION, AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH A STOP SIGN. WHEN SHE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE MOT LIABLE FOR THE LOST OF BRAKES, ONLY WHAT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THEY GAVE HER THE CAR BACK WITHOUT ROAD TESTING IT FIRST. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT "ANDERSON MOTORS," SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, ESPECIALLY IF DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. RECALL#96V260000. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044309

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD WHEN BRAKING, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046207

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA# 96-V-260-000: 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. THIS RECALL FAILED. DEALER STATED NEED TO REPLACE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042073

175,000 miles · Aug 19, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1991, JEEP, CHEROKEE WITH ABS. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. NO POWER BRAKE ASSISTANCE.NEED TO STAND WITH 2 FEET ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033137

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