VehicleVerdict

1987 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1987 Jeep Cherokee is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 72 owner complaints run below the Cherokee median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (32% of the total).

72

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

7

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

8

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 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, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control2332%
Engine913%
Steering710%
Brakes68%
Seat Belts57%
Electrical System57%
Transmission46%
Fuel System46%
Body & Structure34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Suspension23%
Other11%

Does the 1987 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

9 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.

87V035000Speed ControlMarch 18, 1987 · 20,439 units

Defect

VEHICLE MAY CONTAIN AN OUT OF TOLERANCE THROTTLE BODY.

Consequence

THIS COULD PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TOIDLE WHEN RELEASED.

Remedy

REPLACE SUSPECT THROTTLE BODIES.

87V022000Speed ControlFebruary 25, 1987 · 3,996 units

Defect

CRUISE CONTROL MODULE COULD HAVE INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION.

Consequence

INCONSISTENT CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION COULD RESULT INLOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE MODULE, AS NECESSARY.

86V160000Fuel SystemDecember 11, 1986 · 635 units

Defect

A STUD MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON TOP OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF ENGINE THAT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CHAFING OF THE FUEL HOSE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.

Remedy

REMOVE STUD AND REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE AND LINE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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 filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 5, 2003 · crash

“WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE IDLER PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE AND ALMOST HIT THE CONSUMERS HEAD, IT BOUNCED OFF THE CONSUMERS GARAGE WALL AND IMPACTED THE GARAGE CONCRETE FLOOR, THE BEARINGS WITHIN THE IDLER PULLEY FAILED, CAUSING THE PULLEY BOLT THREADS TO BACK OUT OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2000

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME FOR DIAGNOSTICS TEST. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 86V159000 REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 15, 2003

“VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN TWO RECALLS ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCEING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. RECALLS 87V035000, THROTTLE AND 88V106000, BRAKES. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT VIN NUMBER FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE SEEPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

1987 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1987 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 72 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Cherokee year, with 9 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1987 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (23 complaints), engine (9 complaints), steering (7 complaints).

Does the 1987 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Jeep Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.