VehicleVerdict

1992 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1992 Jeep Cherokee carries two red flags at once: 175 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: BRAKE ROTOR DISC/HUB SEPARATION). It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 51 reports (29% of the total).

175

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

9

Investigations · 1 open

21

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

12

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 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, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes5129%
Speed Control2313%
Transmission169%
Body & Structure169%
Electrical System127%
Engine116%
Suspension106%
Lighting85%
Latches & Locks63%
Seat Belts53%
Tires & Wheels53%
Seats42%
Steering32%
Fuel System32%
Other11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1992 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

5 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.

99V340000BrakesDecember 13, 1999 · 334,047 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.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ98023

BRAKE ROTOR DISC/HUB SEPARATION

CHRYSLER CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-005, ON JANUARY 5, 1998, INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 225,000 1993 GRAND CHEROKEE, 1990-91 CHEROKEE, WRANGLER AND COMANCHEE, AND 1989-91 EAGLE PREMIER AND DODGE MONACO.THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE SALT BELT STATES.OWNERS IN CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSET, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WILL RECEIVE REPLACEMENT ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROPOTECTION.CHRYSLER BEGAN OWNER NOTIFICATION ON MARCH 9, 1998.ODI HAS RECEIVED 15 COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 1992-95 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR DISC HAD SEPARATED FROM ITS HUB, CAUSING THE VEHICLES TO SEVERELY PULL TO ONE SIDE AND/OR SIGNIFICANTLY EXTENDED ITS STOPPING DISTANCE.TWELVE OF 15 COMPLAINTS ORIGINATED FROM WITHIN THE RECALLED STATES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRAKES. DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 35MPH, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY STIFF. THE ROAD WAS FLAT WITH A LITTLE UP GRADE, IT WASN'T A HILL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING ON FAMILIAR ROAD WHEN THEY REACHED THE STOP SIGN. WITH FRIENDS TRAILING FROM BEHIND, THEY NEVER STOPPED, INSTEAD VEHICLE PROCEEDED ACROSS ROAD HEAD-ON INTO BARRIERS, KILLING BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER INSTANTLY. THE GAS PEDAL WAS LOCKED DOWN TO FLOOR AND BENT INWARD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 2, 1997 · crash

“WHEN PUTTING GEAR INTO REVERSE FROM PARK VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 3, 2001 · crash

“THIS IS NOT HER VEHICLE. SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF IT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ACCIDENT AND REAR DOOR CAME OPEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 8, 1995 · crash

“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS IT WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE. CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE GARAGE, AND THE JEEP WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, NEAR THE ENGINE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2000 · fire

1992 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1992 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 175 complaints put the 1992 model at #21 of 41 Cherokee years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (51 complaints), speed control (23 complaints), transmission (16 complaints).

Does the 1992 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Jeep Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (BRAKE ROTOR DISC/HUB SEPARATION). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.