Menu

1990 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 270 owner complaints about the 1990 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year37% below the Cherokee median · #17 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints27034 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage136kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Jeep Cherokee has problems

270 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
Service brakes, hydraulic14311
Vehicle speed control548
Engine and engine cooling284
Power train171
Fuel system, gasoline133
Electrical system82
Seat belts71
Service brakes61
Exterior lighting60
12 other systems413

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

5 recalls

1990 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.

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 98V-005 · Jan 12, 1998 · 293,369 vehicles

Risk. THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 96V-260 · Dec 27, 1996 · 52,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 91V-003 · Oct 2, 1991 · 33,000 vehicles

Risk. CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 91V-063 · Apr 15, 1991 · 17,000 vehicles

Risk. DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 90V-177 · Oct 2, 1990 · 165,000 vehicles

Risk. HIGH ENGINE IDLE WHEN CAR IS FIRST PLACED IN GEAR COULDRESULT IN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Jeep Cherokee safety ratings

1990 Jeep Cherokee 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKESEA90024 · closed Jan 14, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-003
  2. BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATIONEA97001 · closed Jan 9, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-005
  3. STEERING GEAR LOCKUPPE91067 · closed Jun 14, 1991
    No recall
  4. DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAILPE93057 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  5. REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATIONPE95049 · closed Jan 26, 1996
    No recall
  6. BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATIONPE96053 · closed Jan 13, 1997
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cherokee owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 1990 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he increasingly applied pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. There was a 100-feet stopping distance delay.…
Complaint 11491351 · Oct 28, 2022 · 195,492 miles
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT IN ARCADIA, FL IN MARCH 2013. *SMD A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, ACROSS FROM TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT WERE PARKED. THE OWNERS DAUGHTER GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL…
Complaint 10537657 · Aug 28, 2013
THE INFAMOUS BENDIX ABS MOTOR/PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VIRTUALLY ALL STOPPING ABILITY. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS (1997 & 2007), CHRYSLER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PURSUANT TO THE "LIFETIME WARRANTY" IMPOSED IN CONNECTION WITH RECALL #702. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 5 WEEKS…
Complaint 10501702 · Mar 1, 2013 · 270,000 miles

Own a 1990 Cherokee?

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