VehicleVerdict

1989 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 287 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Cherokee year — the 1989 model ranks #19 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 42% of all reports (119 of 287), far ahead of speed control at 46.

287

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes11941%
Speed Control4616%
Engine217%
Fuel System166%
Electrical System166%
Lighting93%
Transmission93%
Body & Structure93%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Seat Belts83%
Tires & Wheels72%
Suspension62%
Other62%
Steering41%
Seats21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1989 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

6 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.

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.

96V260000BrakesDecember 27, 1996 · 52,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

91V003000BrakesOctober 2, 1991 · 33,000 units

Defect

THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LEAKING FROM THE LOW PRESSURE HYDRAULIC HOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO BREAK; FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WHICH MAY CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE.

Consequence

CONTAMINATION OF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN CAUSEMALFUNCTIONING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM; LOW PRESSURE HOSE LEAKAGE CAUSESLOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND ALSO RESULTS IN CORROSION AND FAILURE OF THE MASTERCYLINDER SNAP RING, RESULTING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE; FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKEHOSE DUE TO HOSE TO TIRE INTERFERENCE WILL CAUSE FAILURE OF ONE HALF OF THEBRAKE SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN EXPECTED.

Remedy

REPLACE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE; REBUILD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER; INSPECT, SERVICE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS, AND REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSE AS NECESSARY.

90V177000Speed ControlOctober 2, 1990 · 165,000 units

Defect

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS WITH SENSORS THAT WOULD SEND CORRECT SIGNALS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, VIBRATION WORSEN IMTERMITTINGLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLYED, HAD VEHCILE SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM. FINALLY THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN LOST OF VEHCLE CAUING AN ACCIDENT. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 24, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK, WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 60 MPH WHILE FOOT WAS PRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE ON BRAKES AND WAS ONLY STOPPED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AT FULL THROTTLE UNTIL SHUT OFF. CAR WAS TOWED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 19, 2001 · crash

“2 COMMENTS: 1.WHEN JEEP FIRST STARTED ABS IS ENGAGED FOR 5 MINUTES OF OPERATION THEN DISENGAGES 2. AFTER NORMAL WARM-UP (ESPECIALLY ON WARM DAYS), THE BRAKE MOTOR PUMP FAILS TO PUMP, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, AND BRAKE PRESSURE IS LOST. SINCE THE VECHILE IS OVER 100K IS THIS COVERED UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 15, 1999

“THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE TWO PART MACHINED, ONE PART PLASTIC ONE PART METAL. THEY WILL SEPARATE AND CAUSE FIRE. THIS WILL CAUSE DEATH AND COST MONEY. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IM ASTONISHED IT HAS NOT YET BEEN. THIS COSTS THE CONSUMER 80$ EACH, AND IN THE END IT ADDS UP TO ALMOST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 2, 2002 · crash · fire

“WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND THERE WAS A FIRE. DRIVER DID NOT DISCOVER FROM WHERE THE FIRE CAME FROM. BUT WAS AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNDER THE HOOD FIRES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 20, 1998 · fire

1989 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1989 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 287 complaints put the 1989 model at #19 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (119 complaints), speed control (46 complaints), engine (21 complaints).

Does the 1989 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 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.