1989 Jeep Cherokee
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 17 |
| 1986 | 21 |
| 1987 | 57 |
| 1988 | 98 |
| 1989 | 191 |
| 1990 | 275 |
| 1991 | 234 |
| 1992 | 114 |
| 1993 | 418 |
| 1994 | 522 |
| 1995 | 610 |
| 1996 | 447 |
| 1997 | 390 |
| 1998 | 399 |
| 1999 | 366 |
| 2000 | 369 |
| 2001 | 229 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2014 | 2645 |
| 2015 | 1784 |
| 2016 | 1406 |
| 2017 | 1331 |
| 2018 | 683 |
| 2019 | 1628 |
| 2020 | 288 |
| 2021 | 156 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
59% of complaints: service brakes — 113 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I HAD MY JEEP TOWED TO THE DEALER AS I HAD NO BRAKES AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190502
24% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 46 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and linkages.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO TRAFFIC, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030909
10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE BATTERY HAD BEEN RECHARGED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950206
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing injectors and fuel injection system.
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES
FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES
THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LE
Remedy: REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.
Campaign 91V003000 — check if this car was fixed
MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Campaign 90V177000 — check if this car was fixed
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
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
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 PU
Campaign 96V260000 — check if this car was fixed
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 IMPR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 97I002000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1989 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (113 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (46 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 91V003000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 90V177000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V260000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97I002000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1989 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Jeep Cherokee is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Jeep Cherokee?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Jeep Cherokee have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.