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1981 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1981 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the seats. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Seats

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 6, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Jeep Cherokee has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seats10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1981 Jeep Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.

Best & worst years

1981 vs. every other Cherokee year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cherokee median. How we score

'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'06'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1981 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ELEC. REAR WINDOWEA88005 · closed Mar 28, 1989
    Led to recall 87V-178
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA88009 · closed Jan 9, 1990
    Led to recall 88V-132
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

Recent seats complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN INSTALLING THIS AFTERMARKET SEAT SLIDER, THE FIRST BOLT TIGHTENED TWISTED OFF SO EASILY IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN THE EQUIVALENT OF A GRADE#1 BOLT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION OR ROLLOVER., THE SEAT WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE SLIDER ALLOWING THE OCCUPANT TO BE THROWN OUT OF THE…
Complaint 761594 · May 6, 2002

Own a 1981 Cherokee?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.