Total Complaints
368 filings
JEEP CHEROKEE · model year
368 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990JEEPCHEROKEE carries 368 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 12 fires, 15 injuries, and 6 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 CHEROKEE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 102 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (40) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1990 CHEROKEE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
368 filings
Crashes Reported
18 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 102 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 40 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 12 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
The contact owns a 1990 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 30-45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he increasingly applied pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. There was a 100-feet stopping distance delay. The dealer was notified of the failure and declined to diagnose the vehicle. The contact provided a description of the failure to the dealer who informed him that the brake pump motor assembly needed to be replaced; however, the parts were no longer available nationwide. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V260000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which he associated with the failure; however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 195,492.
Mileage: 195,492
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE VACUUM PUMP MOTOR FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM LOCATED AT (6300 KING DR, VENTURA, CA 93003 (805) 323-3363) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 164,000.
Mileage: 164,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) YEARS BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROWN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6300 KING DR, VENTURA, CA 93003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER MAKING THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE BRAKE PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PARTS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (7911 W ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, (708) 366-1001) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR BOTH PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Mileage: 52,000
MY 4YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME WHEN MY BRAKES ALMOST COMPLETELY WENT OUT AT ABOUT 45MPH. LUCKILY WE WERE ON A STRAIGHT COUNTRY BACKROAD WITH A GRAVEL SHOULDER TO AID IN SLOWING DOWN. TOWED THE JEEP TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS LATER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON 04/24/2017 WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE TO BE THE ACTUATOR PUMP UNDER A #702 RECALL. I WAS GIVEN 2 OPTIONS, SELL MY JEEP TO CHRYSLER FOR ~$600 OR GET IT REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS WITH BOTH PARTS AND LABOR TO BE COVERED BY CHRYSLER. CONSIDERING I HAD PURCHASED THE XJ (SO CLEAN AT THE TIME) FOR $3000 PLUS HAD DROPPED $1,100 ON NEW TIRES TWO MONTHS PRIOR IN FEBRUARY I DID NOT FIND SELLING IT FOR ~$600 A FINANCIALLY WISE DECISION. SO I OPTED WITH GETTING THE PARTS REPLACED. WELL FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS NOW WHENEVER I CHECK IN ON MY JEEP, THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME THEY ARE STILL WAITING ON PART NUMBERS FROM CHRYSLER SINCE THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT COME ACROSS THIS RECALL YET AND WHEN I CONTACT CHRYS
Mileage: 196,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AN UNKNOWN HISSING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE LIFETIME WARRANTY COULD NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,160. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Mileage: 188,160
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO VACUUM PUMP FAILURE. CHECKED RECALLS AND SAFETY RECALL #318T WAS ISSUED JULY 1991. CHRYSLER STATES THERE ARE NO PARTS AND THEREFORE WILL NOT EFFECT RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 21,452
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT IN ARCADIA, FL IN MARCH 2013. *SMD A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, ACROSS FROM TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT WERE PARKED. THE OWNERS DAUGHTER GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE JEEP,STARTED IT AND PLACED IT IN DRIVE, WITH THE INTENTION OF REMOVING IT FROM THE DITCH, AS SHE FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL, THE JEEP FLEW OUT OF THE DITCH GOING AIRBORNE, AND KNOCKED DOWN THE OWNER TO THE GROUND, CAUSING BRUISES, NEXT, THE JEEP FLEW OVER THE ROAD NEVER TOUCHING THE PAVEMENT, THE DRIVER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, PRESUMABLY OUT OF FEAR, UNTIL IT RESTED ON TOP OF TWO PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, WHO WAS NOT LICENSED, CLAIMED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, THE WRECKER SERVICE, WHO WAS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IN PARK IN
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE A COPY OF A LETTER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT IN ARCADIA, FL IN MARCH 2013. *SMD A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE WAS IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, ACROSS FROM TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT WERE PARKED. THE OWNERS DAUGHTER GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE JEEP,STARTED IT AND PLACED IT IN DRIVE, WITH THE INTENTION OF REMOVING IT FROM THE DITCH, AS SHE FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL, THE JEEP FLEW OUT OF THE DITCH GOING AIRBORNE, AND KNOCKED DOWN THE OWNER TO THE GROUND, CAUSING BRUISES, NEXT, THE JEEP FLEW OVER THE ROAD NEVER TOUCHING THE PAVEMENT, THE DRIVER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, PRESUMABLY OUT OF FEAR, UNTIL IT RESTED ON TOP OF TWO PARKED VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, WHO WAS NOT LICENSED, CLAIMED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, THE WRECKER SERVICE, WHO WAS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IN PARK IN
THE INFAMOUS BENDIX ABS MOTOR/PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VIRTUALLY ALL STOPPING ABILITY. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS (1997 & 2007), CHRYSLER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PURSUANT TO THE "LIFETIME WARRANTY" IMPOSED IN CONNECTION WITH RECALL #702. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 5 WEEKS SINCE THE LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THIS RECURRING DEFECT BUT BOTH THEY AND CHRYSLER CLAIM AN INABILITY TO FIX IT DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY TO OBTAIN THE REFERENCED ABS BOOSTER UNIT. THIS ASSERTION IS FALSE. MORE THAN 5200 JEEPS WERE RECALLED AND A REBUILDABLE CORE WAS OBTAINED FOR EACH INSTALLATION. CHRYSLER IS EITHER MAKING NO EFFORT TO OBTAIN EXISTING UNITS OR FAILING TO HAVE NEW ONES MANUFACTURED. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE ONE IN DEALER INVENTORY IN THE U.S. AND NO DELIVERIES ARE SCHEDULED. CHRYSLER IS HOPING THAT BY TELLING A CUSTOMER THAT THE ITEM IS "BACKORDERED", HE/SHE WILL SIMPLY GO AWAY AS IF SUCH A STATUS WAS AN UNAVOIDABLE ACT OF GOD. CHRYSLER'S REFUSAL TO HONOR THEIR OBLIGATION IS PUTT
Mileage: 270,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED A HESITATION IN BRAKES RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH TIME, BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Mileage: 47,000
1. REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE 2. BRAKE FLUID LEAK IN ABS PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY, PERMANENTLY, REDUCED THEN LOST BRAKE PERFORMANCE 3. NOTHING, OLD PART IS AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL NOTES: ORR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP DID NOT REPLACE ABS PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH HAS LIFETIME COVERAGE. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE ABS PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS NOT BROKEN WHICH IS NOT TRUE. CHRYSLER CORP. REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC AS WELL.
Mileage: 125,000
I HAVE OWNED A JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1990 FOR YEARS NOW. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION EVENTS MORE THAN TEN TIMES NOW, MOST RECENTLY IN 2008. IT SEEMS EACH TIME I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG, POSSIBLY BRAKING, AND ZOOM! THE ENGINE REVS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. IT IS LIKE DRIVING A CAR OUT OF CONTROL. I AM AWARE THAT CHRYSLER HAS BLAMED SUCH OCCURRENCES ON OPERATOR ERROR BUT, MORE THAN ONCE NOW, I HAVE CHECKED TO BE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THIS ACCELERATION WAS HAPPENING. THE WHOLE TIME I'M STOMPING ON THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AGAINST IT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO FASTER EVEN THOUGH I'M BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ENOUGH TIMES THAT I HAVE EVEN HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. I KNOW I SHOULD JUST BUY A NEW VEHICLE BUT I MORALLY I COULD NOT SELL IT TO ANYONE, NOR TRADE IT IN, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS REAL. I THINK CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MANY ACCIDENTS THIS HAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED OVER THE YEARS. *TR
Mileage: 10,000
THE WIRE UNDER THE DASH ON 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE LAREDO THE WIRE IS MELTING TO THE HEATER AND THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK CHANGE THE FUSES IN FUSE BOX. I TAKE IT TO A SHOP A THERE TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE FUSES BOX FOR $300. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FIRST, AND THEN THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 137,000.
Mileage: 137,000
STATE OF WASHINGTON POLICE TRAFFIC. 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE. DRIVER 1 WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND HIT VEHICLE 2 VEHICLE 2 WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND STRUCK VEHICLE 3. *MC *TR UPDATED*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, AND DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 10/10/06, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL #96V260000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE RECALL STATED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE LIFETIME COVERAGE.
Mileage: 132,900
ABS BRAKING FAULT - EXTREME PULL TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SEE ENCLOSED INFORMASTION SENT BY MAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR ABS RECALL WORK ALONG WITH OTHER REPAIRS NEEDED FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR SIX WEEKS. AFTER THE
Mileage: 142,868
DRIVING OVER A NORMAL POT-HOLE ON A CITY STREET, THE THREE BOLTS WHICH HOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK SHEARED OFF. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON WWW.NAXJA.ORG ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS IN FACT A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.0L EQUIPPED, MANUAL TRANSMISSION JEEP XJ CHEROKEES. VEHICLE IS NOT IN A DRIVEABLE STATE PRESENTLY DUE TO THIS FAILURE. WILL HAVE TO DRILL OUT OLD BROKEN BOLT STUDS, REPLACE STUDS, AND INSPECT FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE.
Mileage: 200,000
REAR AXLE SHAKES WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO GET ON OFF RAMP.*AK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.