1990 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
136 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
142,868 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 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 41 of 136 complaints (30.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 72 | 52.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 41 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 41; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Service Brakes: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 10
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 115 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 | 40 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 40; 1996: 21; 2000: 14; 2001: 15; 2002: 12; 2003: 8; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 72 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10016567 · 2003-04-27 (April 27, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016865 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
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 ($$$) BU…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068329 · 2004-05-05 (May 5, 2004)
SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION, 2000-2500 RPMS AT STOP OR NEUTRAL WHEN NORMAL IS 800 RPMS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT OVER THREE YEARS. IN THE TWO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING STOPPED THE HIGH REVVING. THIS LAST TIME, IT WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR 20 MINUTES. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE AND USE NEUTRAL IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. IF HAS EFI, ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND CRUISE CONTROL. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN BUT IT DOES HAPPEN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126308 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
DRIVING OVER A NORMAL POT-HOLE ON A CITY STREET, THE THREE BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK SHEARED OFF. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON WWW.NAXJA.ORG ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS IN FACT A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.0L EQUIPPED, MANUAL TRANSMISSION JEEP XJ CHEROKEES. VEHICLE IS NOT IN A DRIVEABLE STATE PRESENTLY DUE TO THIS FAILURE. WILL HAVE TO DRILL OUT OLD BROKEN BOLT STUDS, REPLACE STUDS, AND INSPECT FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008396 · 2002-04-23 (April 23, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH IN A FRONTAL IMPACT, DRIVER WAS THROWN INTO STEERING, CAUSING MINOR BODILY INJURIES BECAUSE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865711 · 2000-07-19 (July 19, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082104 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING, HE SAT FOR A WHILE AND JIGGLED THE GEAR SHIFT AND IT STARTED. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC HE WAS TOLD THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE WAS BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND THERE WAS A RECALL. NO SIMILAR RECALLS FOUND. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 119,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082104 at NHTSA ↗