VehicleVerdict

1987 Jeep Cherokee speed control problems

The 1987 Jeep Cherokee has 23 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Speed Control complaints

32%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Speed Control complaints by year

Cherokee speed control complaints by model year185 complaints1984: 2 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 23 complaints1988: 25 complaints1989: 46 complaints1990: 57 complaints1991: 12 complaints1992: 23 complaints1993: 38 complaints1994: 42 complaints1995: 76 complaints1996: 15 complaints1997: 15 complaints1998: 12 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 10 complaints2001: 5 complaints2014: 185 complaints2015: 120 complaints2016: 76 complaints2017: 60 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 81 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 1 complaints
Cherokee speed control complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 1987 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1987 Jeep Cherokee speed control — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1987 Jeep Cherokee speed control?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the speed control: 87V022000, 87V035000, 97I002000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.