1989 Jeep Cherokee problems & reliability
191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Jeep Cherokee. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
14 complaints report injuries (16 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Jeep Cherokee vehicles were involved in 4 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 86 | 45% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 45 | 24% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 13 | 7% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 7% |
| Power Train | 9 | 5% |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 4% |
| Structure | 7 | 4% |
| Suspension | 6 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I had my jeep towed to the dealer as I had no brakes and the abs light was on. I received a call stating that the abs pump and components were bad, and it would cost $1600 to convert it to non abs with master cylinder, booster and custom brake lines. I asked why it wasn't covered as the recall stated that it was under…”
Service Brakes · filed May 2, 2019
“Dealership can not get parts to fix the abs brakes which were recalled and have a lifetime warranty. My jeep has been at the dealership since november 2015 waiting for parts. Now they tell us they won't be able to get them. I have paid about $350 towards abs parts during the time that it has been waiting for the parts…”
Service Brakes · filed Jun 5, 2016
“I brought the vehicle in february 2016 and I drove it for 6 weeks. I was driving to work at 75 mph when the rear passenger side tire delaminated and caused a wreck in which the vehicle rolled 3 times I got out of the vehicle with minor injurys. The passenger rear tire dot stamp is as follows.beyk8l1328.”
Wheels · filed May 2, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE93057 · opened Jun 14, 1993 · closed Oct 29, 1993
- FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES
Engineering Analysis EA90024 · opened Apr 26, 1990 · closed Jan 14, 1991 · led to recall 91V003000
- FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES
Preliminary Evaluation PE90033 · opened Jan 16, 1990 · closed Apr 26, 1990
Technical service bulletins
20 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Jeep Cherokee. The 10 most recent:
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that…
23-014-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2015
Subject regarding floor pan corrosion. *slc
2302602 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 10, 2002
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
2300800B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 24, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
230800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs
233599REVA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Information on child seat tether anchors. *tt
233599 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment. *ak
081698 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 1998
Subject on customer satisfaction notification #733--brake pedal shift interlock. *yc
98733 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1997
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1989 Jeep Cherokee in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Jeep Cherokee?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.