VehicleVerdict

1989 Jeep Cherokee speed control problems

The 1989 Jeep Cherokee has 46 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

46

Speed Control complaints

16%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

2

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.

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 1989 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 46 complaints about the 1989 Jeep Cherokee speed control — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1989 Jeep Cherokee speed control?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the speed control: 90V177000, 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.