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1987 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 57 owner complaints about the 1987 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

87
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years84% below the Cherokee median · #24 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5713 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage240kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 8, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Jeep Cherokee has problems

57 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
Vehicle speed control193
Engine and engine cooling83
Steering70
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Electrical system42
Power train40
Seat belts40
Fuel system, gasoline41
Structure30
4 other systems62

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

5 recalls

1987 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.

Show 1 more recall

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

1987 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ELEC. REAR WINDOWEA88005 · closed Mar 28, 1989
    Led to recall 87V-178
  2. STALLINGEA88025 · closed Oct 3, 1989
    No recall
  3. HIGH SPEED STALLINGPE87048 · closed Mar 10, 1988
    No recall
  4. FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LKPE88001 · closed Jan 28, 1988
    No recall
  5. THROTTLE CONTROLPE88029 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  6. CRUISE CONTROL ERRATICPE89095 · closed Jun 28, 1989
    No recall
  7. SAFETY BELT RETRACTORPE89151 · closed Dec 11, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; 97I002000 CONCERNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, RECALL 88V106000 CONCERNING THE POWER ASSIST HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES/RECALL 87V035000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LINKAGES/ 86V159000 CONCERNING THE STEERING…
Complaint 10142616 · Nov 14, 2005
WHEN BRAKING AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. RECALL 87V03500 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD…
Complaint 10041963 · Oct 22, 2003 · 200,000 miles
THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING IN FRONT OF A HOSPITAL ENTRANCE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *JB
Complaint 10014853 · Apr 1, 2003

Own a 1987 Cherokee?

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