IllustrationANTI-LOCK BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE, AND IT IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND STOP VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 reportsBRAKE PROBLEMS DUE TO FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. BRAKES WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES. *AK
ABS LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. CONSUMER DROVE CAR WITH ABS LIGHT ON. THEN, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, DEALER SAID PARTS HAVE NOT COME IN.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED FROM HUB, AND VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT VIOLENTLY. *AK
BRAKE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY, AND SOMTIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER SAID THE PROBLEM IS ABS CONTROLLER.
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO EITHER SIDE, AND ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON.*AK
I'M INQUIRING ABOUT A RECALL WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT, THE 10 YR 100000 MI HAS EXPIRED DO I HAVE ANY OPTIONS ID# 96V260000, I FOUND FOUR RECALLS THAT I NEVER HEARD ABOUT UNTIL TODAY, #90V177000,91V003000, 98V005000 HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS,THE BRAKES DON'T SLOW THE VEHICLE COSISTANLY,SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BRAKE IT LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE BRAKES AT ALL BUT THE DEALER SWEARS THERE "NORMAL" THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF THE CAR DOING 65 MPH I THINK CHYRSLER IS WAITING FOR THIS CAR TO KILL SOME ONE BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I…
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PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN SHEETS,THE BRAKES DON'T SLOW THE VEHICLE COSISTANLY,SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BRAKE IT LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE BRAKES AT ALL BUT THE DEALER SWEARS THERE "NORMAL" THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF THE CAR DOING 65 MPH I THINK CHYRSLER IS WAITING FOR THIS CAR TO KILL SOME ONE BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A LEMON AND IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF THAT HAPPENS AND NOW YOU ARE AWARE OF IT TO I WISH SOME ONE WOULD WAKE UP AN BUY THIS LEMON BACK BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES.THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE (TALK ABOUT OVERREVING AND UBRUPTLY SLOWING DOWN) FEEL SORRY FOR THE GUY BEHIND ME .IT HASN'T DONE THAT AGAIN THOUGH OR SHOULD I SAY YET.JUST WAITING TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS.I CAN'T SELL IT,THE THOUGHT OF GIVING SOMEONE ELSE THESE PRO BLEMS TURNS MY STOMACH.HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK I COULD GET AFTER MAKING FULL DISCLOSURE.MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN BUY IT AND DISECT IT. MAYBE THAT WAY US AMERICANS THAT PAY YOUR SALARY WILL BE SPARED IN THE FUTURE.I'M STUCK WITH A DEATH TRAP AND I EVEN HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS.I GUESS WHEN IT FINALLY DOES KILL SOMEBODY THE ATTONEYS WILL LOVE MY RECORD KEEPING. *AK
WHILE MAKING A TURN REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LEAKAGE FROM HIGH PRESSURE BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE WHEN STOPPING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
Official recalls
598V005000 · 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
6EA97001 · 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