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1985 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 1985 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints174 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 2, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Jeep Cherokee has problems

17 complaints 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
Seat belts60
Structure21
Tires20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Power train21
Seats20
Latches/locks/linkages20
Visibility10
Engine and engine cooling10
2 other systems21

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

3 recalls

1985 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

1985 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 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
  3. FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LKPE88001 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  4. SAFETY BELT RETRACTORPE89151 · closed Dec 11, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

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

DRIVERS SEAT BELT JAMS FULLY EXTENDED, RIGHT REAR BELT JAMS INTERMITTENTLY, FRONT RIGHT AND MIDDLE REAR BUCKLE DISINTEGRATED. TT
Complaint 968776 · Jul 13, 1995

Own a 1985 Cherokee?

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