Total Complaints
297 filings
JEEP CHEROKEE · model year
297 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991JEEPCHEROKEE carries 297 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 11 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 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 1991 CHEROKEE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 103 filings, followed by service brakes (15) and seat belts:front:buckle assembly (13). 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 1991 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
297 filings
Crashes Reported
14 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 | 103 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 15 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 13 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 4 |
The contact owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to slow as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The depressed the brake pedal with extreme force and the vehicle came to a stop. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed because the vehicle was an older vehicle. The contact was informed that had already been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V260000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was imported from Canada, and once it was imported, the vehicle warranty was voided. The failure mileage was 175,000.
Mileage: 175,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME STIFF AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM A GREATER DISTANCE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTINGTON BEACH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (16701 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647, (714) 841-3999) AND A PRESSURE TEST WAS PERFORMED, WHICH FOUND AN INTERNAL LEAK AT THE ABS PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SYSTEM DID NOT BUILD UP OVER 800 PSI AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,970.
Mileage: 208,970
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT LOST BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WHILE BEING OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RYAN AUTO MALL (LOCATED AT 1000 HIGHWAY 55 E, BUFFALO, MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), WHICH STATED THAT THE COMPONENT HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN HUNTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING ABS BRAKE ISSUES ON HIS 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PUMP TO REPAIR THE ABS BRAKES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL #96V260000 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND AND FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY ABS PUMP HAS FAILED, AND CHRYSLER IS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH NHTSA RECALL #96V260000 HAVING TO DO WITH THE ABS PUMP. THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT "THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE". I CALLED THE CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER TODAY, AND AT 5:01PM PST, SASHA TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THAT PART, AND I WAS DENIED HELP. THE NHTSA RECALL CLEARLY STATES OTHERWISE. TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER DENYING AND REFUSING SERVICE, BECAUSE APPARENTLY THIS PART CAN NO LONGER BE HAD. WHY IS THEIR DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE STATED LIFETIME COVERAGE ON THE RECALL? I ALSO LEARNED THAT LAST YEAR CHRYSLER WAS FINED $105 MILLION BY THE NHTSA FOR MISHANDLING RECALLS. IF THE NHTSA ALLOWS CHRYSLER TO DENY THIS, LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY MAY FALL ON BOTH PARTIES, AS I WILL BE CONTINUING WITH LEGAL ACTION. *TR
Mileage: 195,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED EVEN THOUGH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 096V26000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. IN MAY OF 2016, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A SEOND TIME BECAUSE THE ABS PUMP MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THE FAIR VEHICLE PRICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE AMOUNT OFERED PER THE REPURCHASE PROGRAM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ...UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF *CN
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Mileage: 127,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKE FLUID, THE FLUID LEAKED OUT QUICKER THAN ANTICIPATED. AS A RESULT, THE MANUAL BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE USED INSTEAD OF THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE HORN SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER ASSIST BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
Mileage: 184,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKE FLUID, THE FLUID LEAKED OUT QUICKER THAN ANTICIPATED. AS A RESULT, THE MANUAL BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE USED INSTEAD OF THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE HORN SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER ASSIST BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
Mileage: 184,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH BRAKE FLUID, THE FLUID LEAKED OUT QUICKER THAN ANTICIPATED. AS A RESULT, THE MANUAL BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE USED INSTEAD OF THE POWER ASSIST BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE HORN SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER ASSIST BRAKE UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
Mileage: 184,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT PROPERLY RELEASE AND THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED FOR THE ABS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE PEDAL AND LIFT THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL THAT WAS NOT REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM THE RECALL INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND AN EXTENDED DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS COMPLETED IN 1998 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTY LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,780. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT AND A RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER BRAKE FUNCTION WAS LOST. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE MASTER AIR PUMP. THE CONSUMER LEARNED A THE ISSUE IN QUESTION WAS RECALLED AND THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 1998. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, NOT TO MENTION IT WAS A $3,000 REPAIR. UPDATED 03/30
Mileage: 146,780
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND AN EXTENDED DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS COMPLETED IN 1998 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTY LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,780. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT AND A RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER BRAKE FUNCTION WAS LOST. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE MASTER AIR PUMP. THE CONSUMER LEARNED A THE ISSUE IN QUESTION WAS RECALLED AND THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 1998. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE, NOT TO MENTION IT WAS A $3,000 REPAIR. UPDATED 03/30
Mileage: 146,780
BRAKES TOTALLY FAIL, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY. NO WARNING, THE DASHBOARD CHECK ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER GAVE ME THE RUN-AROUND WHEN I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES PREVIOUSLY. *TR
Mileage: 130,000
1991 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ABS PUMP FAILURES. WHEN THE PUMP FAILS, THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES AND IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. *TA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE ACCTUATOR AND RS SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000. UPDATED 8/29/14*CN UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS
Mileage: 176,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE ACCTUATOR AND RS SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000. UPDATED 8/29/14*CN UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS
Mileage: 176,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. AFTER REPEATEDLY APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 6000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,735.
Mileage: 174,735
UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V260000 MY BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY FOR MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DO NOT WORK . UNDER THE RECALL THERE IS A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I TOOK IT INTO THE JEEP DEALERSHIP AT 6/26/13. IT IS NOW OCTOBER! I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND HAVING LITTLE TO KNOW BRAKE POWER BASICALLY OUT OF NECESSITY , AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ME A LOANER OR ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Mileage: 174,735
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.