VehicleVerdict

1991 Jeep Cherokee brakes problems

The 1991 Jeep Cherokee has 188 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 63% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

188

Brakes complaints

63%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

5

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

98V005000BrakesJanuary 12, 1998 · 293,369 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

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.

91V063000BrakesApril 15, 1991 · 17,000 units

Defect

IMPROPER INSERTION/CRIMPING OF THE HOSE-TO-END FITTINGS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CAN CAUSE DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM, AND DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Consequence

DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DISCHARGE OFHYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE AREA OF THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE.

91V023000BrakesFebruary 11, 1991 · 425 units

Defect

IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BRAKE FLUID TUBE MAY ALLOW THE TUBE TO CONTACT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DAMAGING THE TUBE.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AND RESULT IN PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.

Remedy

REPOSITION BRAKE TUBE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH STEERING SHAFT; ALSO, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBES.

90V206000BrakesDecember 18, 1990 · 160 units

Defect

SUSPENSION JOUNCE BUMPER COULD CONTACT LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBE WHEN SUSPENSION IS AT FULL JOUNCE (BOUNCE).

Consequence

CONTACT AT FULL JOUNCE MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE TUBE TOCOLLAPSE AND RESTRICT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKEWHICH AFFECTS THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

REPLACE LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBE WITH TUBE DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH BUMPER.

What owners report

SECOND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE (UNDER RECALL 96V260000). PUMP MOTOR / ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL FAILURE FOR SECOND TIME. CAUSED ACCUMULATOR TO FAIL - MANUFACTURER REFUSES STAND BEHIND ABS SYSTEM - WILL REPAIR ONLY THE PART UNDER LIFETIME RECALL. HAVE HAD TWO FRONT END COLLISIONS DUE TO THIS PRODUCT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 14, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1991 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 188 complaints about the 1991 Jeep Cherokee brakes — 63% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee brakes?

Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 90V206000, 91V023000, 91V063000, 96V260000, 98V005000.

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.