1989 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
139,634 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 96 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 42.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 28 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 28; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 3; Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle): 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 86 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 35; 1996: 13; 2000: 17; 2001: 7; 2002: 7; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011313 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE REGARDING RECALL 96 V 260 000. ABS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023623 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO COMPRESSOR ON OPPOSITE SIDE HOSE LEAK CAUSING FIRE FROM BRAKE FLUID STREAM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748927 · 2001-07-22 (July 22, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK, WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 60 MPH WHILE FOOT WAS PRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE ON BRAKES AND WAS ONLY STOPPED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AT FULL THROTTLE UNTIL SHUT OFF. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHERE THE PROBLEM IS STILL BEING DIAGNOSED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871812 · 2000-09-29 (September 29, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199429 · 2007-08-13 (August 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THERE ARE THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE STEERING FRAME TOGETHER, AND ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE STEERING FAILS ALSO. HE STATED THAT THREE OF THE BOLTS HAVE FAILED AND CAUSED A NEAR CRASH DUE TO THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY RE-WELDED THE BOLTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE VIN AND SPEED WER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10199429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870898 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
WAS TRAVELING 50MPH & HAD HEARD A NOISE. STARTED TO HAVE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED TIRES. LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT & THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED & WAS SHREDDED. HAD TO GET TIRE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT HAVE TIRE. TIRES WERE NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE JEEP CHEROKEE. FIRESTONE ATX, 0235/75RF15 WITH 20,000 MILES ON A 1989 JEEP, CHEROKEE.*AK FIRESTONE REPLACED THE THREE TIRES AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478432 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK GAS ONTO ENGINE/ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS, RESULTING IN HIGH IDLE/HARD STARTING, ALSO GAS FUMES, CAUSING HEADACHES/DIZZINESS/NAUSEA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483009 · 1995-08-18 (August 18, 1995)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745140 · 2001-05-10 (May 10, 2001)
DISCOVERED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE TWO-PIECE BODY OF TWO OF THE FUEL INJECTORS ONTO HOT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION, AND AFTER ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE ENGINE WAS COOLING . DEFECTIVE INJECTORS WERE LEAKING QUANTITIES OF GASOLINE ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF ENGINE. CONTACTED LOCAL JEEP DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE PROBLEM. THE JEEP SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANICS APPEARED TO BE WELL AWARE OF THESE DEFECTIVE LEAKING INJECTORS AS OCCURRING ON OTHER JEEP CHEROKEES WITH 4.0L ENGINE. I THEN CONTACTED …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972776 · 1995-10-02 (October 2, 1995)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, POSSIBLE DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR AREA. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968013 · 1995-06-29 (June 29, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968013 at NHTSA ↗