MYRModel Year Report

1991 Jeep Cherokee

▲ Better than typical
1991 Jeep Cherokee
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
234
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

79% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1991 234 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: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2016: 1,408 complaints 2016 2017: 1,334 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,642 complaints 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1991 234 1992: 114 complaints 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: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2015 2016: 1,408 complaints 2017: 1,334 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2018 2019: 1,642 complaints 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 7 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 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1991 234 1992: 114 complaints 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: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2015 2016: 1,408 complaints 2017: 1,334 complaints 2017 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,642 complaints 2019 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2026: 7 complaints

1991: 234 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
20142,648
20151,787
20161,408
20171,334
2018685
20191,642
2020307
2021166
202249
20233
20267

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

79% · 185 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. When the contact engaged the brake pedal, it became stiff and had to be depressed several times to stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-15

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the brake light illuminated and then the brakes failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-27

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling about 65MPH on the highway and without prior warning smoke was coming from the trunk area due to tail pipe being too close to floor melted, causing a fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-06

Seat belts

6% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and webbing.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

6% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and universal joint.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was parked and without warning it jumped out of gear, rolled down the street, and hit a tree. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle home.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-16

Vehicle speed control

5% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden acceleration while in reverse, causing loss of control/accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-20

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1991-04-16Service brakes, hydraulic90V206000 Suspension jounce bumper could contact left rear wheel brake tube when suspension is at full jounce (Bounce).

    Remedy: Replace left rear brake tube with tube designed to eliminate contact with bumper.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-06-19Service brakes, hydraulic91V023000 Improperly installed brake fluid tube may allow the tube to contact the steering intermediate shaft damaging the tube.

    Remedy: Reposition brake tube to avoid contact with steering shaft; also, replace any damaged brake tubes.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1991-07-26Service brakes, hydraulic91V063000 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.

    Remedy: Replace the ABS high pressure hose.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1993-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-10-29 Driveshaft/univ.joint fail
  5. I
    1995-08-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-01-26 Rear axle shaft separation
  6. I
    1995-11-17Defect petitionClosed 1995-12-05 Vehicle sudden acceleration
  7. I
    1996-09-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-01-13 Brake disc/hub separation
  8. I
    1997-01-13Engineering analysisClosed 1998-01-09 Brake disc/hub separation
  9. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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 →

  11. R
    1998-03-09Service brakes, hydraulic98V005000 Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, new…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2002-04-25Defect petitionClosed 2002-09-10 Sudden acceleration
  13. 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 →

  14. 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 →

  15. 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

1991 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 185 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V206000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 91V023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 91V063000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V260000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97I002000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V005000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • 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 1991 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Jeep Cherokee is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Jeep Cherokee?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 79% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Jeep Cherokee have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.