MYRModel Year Report

1981 Jeep Cherokee

○ Not enough data
1981 Jeep Cherokee
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:27:42.430Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Cherokee Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 97 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 270 complaints 1990 1991: 233 complaints 1992: 113 complaints 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 519 complaints 1995: 608 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2636 complaints 2015: 1776 complaints 2016: 1398 complaints 2016 2017: 1323 complaints 2018: 678 complaints 2019: 1582 complaints 2020: 258 complaints 2021: 136 complaints 2021 2022: 44 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1981: 1 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19820
19830
19847
198517
198621
198757
198897
1989191
1990270
1991233
1992113
1993418
1994519
1995608
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
200617
20142636
20151776
20161398
20171323
2018678
20191582
2020258
2021136
202244
20233
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SEATS

1 of 1 total report mentions: seats.

Show complaint excerpts

WHEN INSTALLING THIS AFTERMARKET SEAT SLIDER, THE FIRST BOLT TIGHTENED TWISTED OFF SO EASILY IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN THE EQUIVALENT OF A GRADE#1 BOLT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020508

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19810715 — vehicle speed control

THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY.

Remedy: EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.

Campaign 81V015000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19871023 — EA (closed 19890328)

ELEC. REAR WINDOW

I 19871116 — EA (closed 19900109)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 19880527 — visibility

THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.

Campaign 87V178000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seats issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 81V015000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V178000 (visibility) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1981 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1981 Jeep Cherokee?

The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1981 Jeep Cherokee have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.