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
- 191
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1989
Opened by NHTSA
59% of complaints
Complaints per year
1989: 191 complaints
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 | 2,650 |
| 2015 | 1,791 |
| 2016 | 1,411 |
| 2017 | 1,335 |
| 2018 | 685 |
| 2019 | 1,659 |
| 2020 | 314 |
| 2021 | 171 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
59% · 113 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
I had my Jeep towed to the dealer as I had no brakes and the ABS light was on.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-02
Vehicle speed control
24% · 46 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and linkages.
Show 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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-09
Engine and engine cooling
10% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
Show complaint excerpts
The battery had been recharged and then caught on fire in the driveway. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-06
Also filed under Electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel system, gasoline
8% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing injectors and fuel injection system.
Electrical system
8% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1990-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-04-26 Failed antilock brakes
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1990-04-26Engineering analysisClosed 1991-01-14 Failed antilock brakes
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R
1991-03-07Service brakes, hydraulic91V003000 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…
Remedy: Replace ABS low pressure hose; rebuild master brake cylinder; inspect, service interference problems, and replace front brake hose as necessary.
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R
1991-03-14Vehicle speed control90V177000 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.
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I
1993-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-10-29 Driveshaft/univ.joint fail
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R
1997-04-24Service brakes, hydraulic96V260000 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…
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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1989 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 113 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 46 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 20 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 91V003000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 90V177000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 96V260000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 97I002000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.