1990 Jeep Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Jeep Cherokee. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 48% of complaints. Next are cruise control (15%) and engine (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 368 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 48% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 18 and 12
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 6
- Typical mileage
- 143,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Of the 21 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 143,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 137,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 18 complaints mention a crash; 12 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported; 6 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1990 ranks 19th most-complained-about out of 21 model years of the Jeep Cherokee with enough data (86 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Owner attempted to move gear shift lever into drive, vehicle suddenly accelerated in reverse and would not stop. Vehicle traveled approximately 35 feet backwards, sticking and killing owners wife in the drive way. Vehicle would not stop although brakes were being applied.
While attempting to put vehicle into drive, it accelerated and took off in reverse, and ran over owner's wife. This occurred in july 1997. Attempting to back up, vehicle accelerated rapidly and struck a barbeque grill, a set of steps, then his wife, where she was crushed and then drug approximately 30 feet, at the scene a police officer pointed out that the drivers side mat was caught under the pedals, possible throttle failure and in the event consumer trying to hit the brakes causing the mat to be stuck. *slc
1. Reduced brake performance 2. Brake fluid leak in ABS pump motor assembly, permanently, reduced then lost brake performance 3. Nothing, old part is available additional notes: orr chrysler dodge jeep did not replace ABS pump motor assembly which has lifetime coverage. The dealership tried to convince me that the ABS pump motor assembly was not broken which is not true. Chrysler corp. Refused to provide assistance. I have filed a complaint with the ftc as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 1990 jeep cherokee. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop to stop the vehicle. The parking brake was engaged to stop vehicle. The vehicle was towed to contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the vacuum pump motor failed. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.