MYRModel Year Report

1987 Jeep Cherokee

▲ Better than typical
1987 Jeep Cherokee
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:37:52.750Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
57
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1987

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1987 57 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 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: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2016: 1,411 complaints 2016 2017: 1,335 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,659 complaints 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 9 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1987 57 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2001: 229 complaints 2001 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2015 2016: 1,411 complaints 2017: 1,335 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2018 2019: 1,659 complaints 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1987 57 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1990 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1994 1995: 610 complaints 1996: 447 complaints 1996 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2006 2014: 2,650 complaints 2015: 1,791 complaints 2015 2016: 1,411 complaints 2017: 1,335 complaints 2017 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,659 complaints 2019 2020: 314 complaints 2021: 171 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2026: 9 complaints

1987: 57 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19820
19830
19847
198517
198621
198757
198898
1989191
1990275
1991234
1992114
1993418
1994522
1995610
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
200617
20142,650
20151,791
20161,411
20171,335
2018685
20191,659
2020314
2021171
202249
20233
20269

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

39% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer was sitting in the vehicle with the engine idling in front of a hospital entrance, when all of a sudden the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning and crashed into a building. Six people were injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-01

Throttle cable was stuck. And engine caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-06-11

While traveling on the highway without prior warning. The throttle was stuck and the vehicle accelerate and hit an embankment. And roll three or more times. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-30

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Line was plugged which blew oil onto the motor and caught fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-28

Steering

12% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and column.

Show complaint excerpts

Steering column wobbles at tilt joint . On left turns, steering column locks in position making car undriveable.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-27

Service brakes

9% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Seat belts

7% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly.

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-12-29Steering86V159000 Steering linkage couplers remained in acid etching bath too long.

    Remedy: Replace out of tolerance steering linkage couplers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1987-02-13Fuel system, gasoline86V160000 A stud may have been installed on top of the intake manifold of engine that could contact the fuel supply hose.

    Remedy: Remove stud and replace fuel supply hose and line assembly on vehicles with accumulated mileage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1987-02-23Vehicle speed control87V022000 Cruise control module could have inconsistent cruise control operation.

    Remedy: Replace module, as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1987-04-01Vehicle speed control87V035000 Vehicle may contain an out of tolerance throttle body.

    Remedy: Replace suspect throttle bodies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1987-08-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-03-10 High speed stalling
  6. I
    1987-10-23Engineering analysisClosed 1989-03-28 Elec. Rear window
  7. I
    1987-10-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-28 Fires caused by cltch lk
  8. I
    1988-02-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-09-19 Throttle control
  9. I
    1988-03-10Engineering analysisClosed 1989-10-03 Stalling
  10. I
    1989-03-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-28 Cruise control erratic
  11. R
    1989-05-05Service brakes, hydraulic88V106000 Brake booster vacuum reservoir canisters may develop leaks due to bumper impact.

    Remedy: Replace brake booster vacuum cannisters with new type cannisters; also, install a restriction orifice to ensure sufficient vacuum in event cannister leakage occurs.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    1989-08-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-12-11 Safety belt retractor
  13. R
    1997-09-15Vehicle speed control97I002000 Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a shift interlock on the automatic transmission of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1987 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V159000 · Steering
  • Recall 86V160000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 87V022000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 87V035000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 88V106000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97I002000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1987 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Jeep Cherokee is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Jeep Cherokee?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1987 Jeep Cherokee have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.