VehicleVerdict

1986 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

26

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

6

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted3,958 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 26 complaints1987: 72 complaints1988: 118 complaints1989: 287 complaints1990: 368 complaints1991: 297 complaints1992: 175 complaints1993: 571 complaints1994: 618 complaints1995: 732 complaints1996: 584 complaints1997: 496 complaints1998: 553 complaints1999: 516 complaints2000: 508 complaints2001: 329 complaints2006: 18 complaints2014: 3,958 complaints2015: 2,651 complaints2016: 2,039 complaints2017: 1,919 complaints2018: 988 complaints2019: 2,370 complaints2020: 355 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 68 complaints2023: 4 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1142%
Suspension415%
Brakes312%
Speed Control312%
Steering28%
Body & Structure14%
Engine14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 1986 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

97I002000Speed ControlMay 2, 1997 · 1,010,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

88V106000BrakesJuly 1, 1988 · 1,600 units

Defect

BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.

Consequence

THIS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND ANINCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CANNISTERS WITH NEW TYPE CANNISTERS; ALSO, INSTALL A RESTRICTION ORIFICE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT VACUUM IN EVENT CANNISTER LEAKAGE OCCURS.

86V159000SteeringDecember 9, 1986 · 6,958 units

Defect

STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS REMAINED IN ACID ETCHING BATH TOO LONG. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COUPLERS COULD BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN STEERING WHEEL MISALIGNMENT WITH EVENTUAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE OUT OF TOLERANCE STEERING LINKAGE COUPLERS.

86V146000Speed ControlNovember 7, 1986 · 4,928 units

Defect

ACCELERATOR CABLE BUSHING COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE ACCELERATOR LEVER ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ENGINE CONTROL WITH ENGINE RETURNING TO IDLE.

Remedy

REPLACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET AND LEVER ASSEMBLIES.

85V139000Fuel SystemOctober 29, 1985 · 14,643 units

Defect

JEEPS MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY CONNECTED FUEL LINE FITTING WHICH COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED AND CAUSE GASOLINE TO BE SPILLED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE FUEL LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, SPILLS GASOLINE AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE OR EXPLOSION MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

RECONNECT FUEL LINE FITTING, AS REQUIRED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE HIT FIRST VEHICLE HEAD-ON, SEAT BELT SPLIT AT BOTTOM. FOUR PEOPLE WERE IN VEHICLE AND 3 WERE INJURED AND ONE WAS KILLED. TRYING TO FIND OUT THE DEFECT OF SEAT BELT THAT CAUSED IT TO SPLIT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 28, 1996 · crash

“DRIVER HEARD A POP AT 50 MPH, AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND SLIP TO A STOP. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE WHEEL AND AXLE HAD COME OFF THE VEHICLE AND COME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES WITHIN ONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 11, 1998

“I BOUGHT THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME ON NOVEMBER 13, 2013 WITH THE INTENTIONS OF MAKING A VEHICLE TO USE IN THE WINTER FOR BAD WEATHER OR VERY BAD SNOW. HERE ARE ISSUES I FACE. THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY ONCE I REACH SPEEDS OVER 35MPH. IT GOES WELL PASS THE 85MPH MARK AND BACK DOWN TO 15MPH AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 13, 2013

“WHILE TRYING TO PUT ON BRAKES VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMER SAID CAR WENT INTO A DITCH. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 19, 1999 · crash

“ONGOING STEERING PROBLEM REPORTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER & EXPERIENCED BY PRESENT OWNER; STEERING WANDER, ESP. AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, ALL PARTS UNDAMAGED OR REPLACED INC. TIE RODS, STRUTS, SHOCKS, BUSHINGS, ETC...; ALIGNMENT TO SPECS WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 30, 2000

1986 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1986 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (11 complaints), suspension (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).

Does the 1986 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Jeep Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2016, 2017, 2018, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997, 1990, 2020, 2001, 1991, 1989, 1992. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.