VehicleVerdict

1993 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1993 Jeep Cherokee carries two red flags at once: 571 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.3× the Cherokee norm — 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 3 deaths and 50 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 160 reports (28% of the total).

571

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

15

Investigations · 1 open

60

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

50

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes16028%
Body & Structure10619%
Transmission509%
Electrical System407%
Engine407%
Speed Control387%
Visibility & Wipers204%
Steering193%
Seat Belts193%
Tires & Wheels153%
Suspension122%
Fuel System102%
Airbags92%
Seats81%
Latches & Locks71%
Other61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)61%
Lighting51%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1993 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

7 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.

97V069000SteeringApril 28, 1997 · 2,500 units

Defect

DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE FRAME, A FILLET WELD THAT JOINS THE INNER STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRAME RAIL, WAS OMITTED.

Consequence

DUE TO HIGH STEERING LOAD EVENTS, VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT BROKEN STEERING GEAR ATTACHING BOLTS OR FRAME RAIL CRACKING AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHING POINT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE FRAME RAIL. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CRACKS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REINFORCEMENT PLATES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE FREE OF CRACKS WILL HAVE A SLOT CUT IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FILLET WELD WILL BE ADDED.

93V037000OtherMarch 9, 1993 · 3,400 units

Defect

THE TIRE AND WHEEL SPECIFICATION INFORMATION ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL INDICATES A MINIMUM TIRE SIZE LARGER THAN THE TIRE ACTUALLY FITTED TO THE VEHICLE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence

INSTALLATION OF THE WRONG SIZE TIRES TO THE RIM COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

PROVIDE CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS TO VEHICLE OWNERS FOR APPLICATION TO THE 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.

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON SIDE STREET WHEN SHE JAMMED BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON APPLYING BRAKES, THEY MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF THE BRAKES, AND THEY WERE FINE. ALSO, THERE WAS A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE GLASS WINDSHIELD SHATTERED, THROWING GLASS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 22, 2000 · crash

“THE FLOOR WAS SO RUSTED, WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL TH FIRE BROKE OUT. I HAD REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND MUFFLER FROM MIDAS, AND ON THE WAY BACK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, THERE SEEMED TO BE RUSTED FLOOR WITH HOLES.. I AM JUST COMPLAINING SO THAT OTHERS COULD BE AWARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · fire

“WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE VEHICLE DROVE OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE STILL TRAVELED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A TREE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK BRAKES WERE WORKING PERFECTLY BUT THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL THROTTLE, OVER POWERING RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“THE FLOOR WAS SO RUSTED, WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL TH FIRE BROKE OUT. I HAD REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND MUFFLER FROM MIDAS, AND ON THE WAY BACK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, THERE SEEMED TO BE RUSTED FLOOR WITH HOLES.. I AM JUST COMPLAINING SO THAT OTHERS COULD BE AWARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“THE FLOOR WAS SO RUSTED, WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL TH FIRE BROKE OUT. I HAD REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND MUFFLER FROM MIDAS, AND ON THE WAY BACK THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, THERE SEEMED TO BE RUSTED FLOOR WITH HOLES.. I AM JUST COMPLAINING SO THAT OTHERS COULD BE AWARE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

1993 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 1993 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 571 complaints put the 1993 model at #10 of 41 Cherokee years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (160 complaints), body & structure (106 complaints), transmission (50 complaints).

Does the 1993 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 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.