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1990 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 21 of 270 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports11 fire reports7 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

143 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 91V063000; JEEP ISSUED A BRAKE LINE AND HOSE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10101750

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE MECHANIC AUTO R…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE MECHANIC AUTO REPAIR SHOP STRATED THERY WERE 97% SURE THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO AN OUTSTANDING RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE RECALL PROVISIONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074315

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, AND STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP, AND TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT BRAKE PRESSURE HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE PRESSURE PLASTIC FITTING BROKE OFF. ALSO. RECALL 91V003000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHIC…

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UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, AND STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP, AND TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT BRAKE PRESSURE HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE PRESSURE PLASTIC FITTING BROKE OFF. ALSO. RECALL 91V003000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063596

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO DEPRESS. THERE WAS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPLY ALL THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE PARTS INSTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050397

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES ON HER SON'S JEEP WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY. ALSO THE ABS PUMP WAS BAD. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HER SON'S VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART OF THAT…

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CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES ON HER SON'S JEEP WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY. ALSO THE ABS PUMP WAS BAD. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT HER SON'S VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART OF THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHICLE NEEDED A ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCUMULATOR ASSEMBLY. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034211

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018208

89,000 miles · May 1, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, BUT BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUED TO WORK NORMALLY. AFTER WORK PERFORMED ON ABS SYSTEM AS PART OF THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION RECALL #702 BRAKES CAUSED THE JEEP TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH AND SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN BRAKE PEDAL FORCE BECAME NECESSARY TO STOP. THE ABS SYSTEM …

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ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, BUT BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUED TO WORK NORMALLY. AFTER WORK PERFORMED ON ABS SYSTEM AS PART OF THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION RECALL #702 BRAKES CAUSED THE JEEP TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH AND SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN BRAKE PEDAL FORCE BECAME NECESSARY TO STOP. THE ABS SYSTEM STILL FAILS ABOUT TWICE A WEEK (LIGHT COMES ON) AND BRAKING BECOMES NORMAL; I.E. NO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND DECREASED AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS REQUIRED. DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND LEFT REAR SENSOR RING ($$$) BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES.

NHTSA ODI #10016865

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE'S ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND THE SELLER TOLD ME HE HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES, TWO MECHANICS SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. THE JEEP DEALER LAUGHED AT ONE OF THEM AND SAID GOOD LUCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE ABS SYSTE…

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MY 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE'S ABS SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND THE SELLER TOLD ME HE HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES, TWO MECHANICS SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. THE JEEP DEALER LAUGHED AT ONE OF THEM AND SAID GOOD LUCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WITH NO REPAIR. NOW, THE BRAKES HAVE COMPLETELY GONE OUT ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD SAFELY BOTH TIMES, BUT FEAR FOR THE TIME I WON'T BE SO LUCKY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016567

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS ACTUATOR PUMP MOTOR WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #8015823

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 96 V 260, IN 1999. AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TWICE. DELAER REPAIRED VEHICLE BOTH TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8014504

Official recalls

5

98V005000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Jan 12, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

96V260000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Dec 27, 1996

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 CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.

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 PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

91V003000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 2, 1991

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 LEAKING FROM THE LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO BREAK; FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO RESULTS IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE MASTERCYLINDER SNAP RING, RESULTING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKEHOSE DUE TO HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WILL CAUSE FAILURE OF ONE HALF OF THEBRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN EXPECTED.

Remedy: REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

91V063000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Apr 15, 1991

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DISCHARGE OFHYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE AREA OF THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE.

90V177000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Oct 2, 1990

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HIGH ENGINE IDLE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PLACED IN GEAR COULDRESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.

Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA97001 · Brake Disc/hub Separation

Opened Jan 13, 1997 · Closed Jan 9, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT CORROSION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE CAUSED SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE DISC FROM ITS HUB, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE.

PE96053 · Brake Disc/hub Separation

Opened Sep 5, 1996 · Closed Jan 13, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

consumer complaints indicate that corrosion of hte brake rotors have caused separation of the brake disc from its hub, resulting in brake failure.

PE95049 · Rear Axle Shaft Separation

Opened Aug 17, 1995 · Closed Jan 26, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE MODE AND THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY POSED BY ALLEGATIONS OF REAR AXLE SEPARATIONS.THE REAR AXLE SHAFT AND HOUSING DESIGN IS TYPICAL OF THOSE IN WHICH THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE IS CARRIED ON THE AXLE HOUSING.THE LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE SHAFTS, SUPPORTED BY ROLLER BEARINGS, ARE SITUATED INSIDE THE AXLE HOUSING.THE INBOARD SPLINED END OF THE AXLE SHAFT RECEIVES POWER TRANSMITTED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY, PROVIDING TORQUE TO THE REAR WHEELS.THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THAT THE AXLE SHAFT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE ENTIRE AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE AXLE SHAFT FAILURE.AS IDENTIFIED BY CHRYSLER, THE SUBJECT REAR AXLES ARE DANA 35C AND 35CM MODELS, WHICH HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SINCE THE 1990 MODEL YEAR.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT AXLE SHAFTS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.SEE HARD COPY RESUME FOR FULL TEXT OF SUMMARY.

PE93057 · Driveshaft/univ.joint Fail

Opened Jun 14, 1993 · Closed Oct 29, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

PE91067 · Steering Gear Lockup

Opened Apr 16, 1991 · Closed Jun 14, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA90024 · Failed Antilock Brakes

Opened Apr 26, 1990 · Closed Jan 14, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available