1992 Jeep Cherokee Problems and Recalls (109 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1992 Jeep Cherokee is Brakes (33% of 109 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 109 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

36 of 109 filings named Brakes (33% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Cruise / speed control (15 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1991 has 233 reports on file; this year has 109. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1992 Jeep Cherokee

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 36 complaints · 33.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 18
  • Fires 5
  • Injuries 12
  • Deaths 2
All Jeep Cherokee years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 36 of 109 owner complaints (33.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 36 complaints, 33.0% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 3 crash reports 36 · 33.0% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 15 complaints, 13.8% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 crash reports 15 · 13.8% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 12 complaints, 11.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 12 · 11.0% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 11 complaints, 10.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 11 · 10.1% Engine (ENGINE): 9 complaints, 8.3% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 9 · 8.3% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 4.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 fire reports 5 · 4.6% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 4 complaints, 3.7% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 1 crash reports 4 · 3.7% Steering (STEERING): 3 complaints, 2.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 crash reports 3 · 2.8% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 3 complaints, 2.8% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 · 2.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 84 complaints, 77.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 10 crash reports 5 fire reports 84 · 77.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 36 33.0% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 15 13.8% 9 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 12 11.0% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 11 10.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 9 8.3% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 4.6% 0 crashes · 3 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 4 3.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 3 2.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 2.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 84 77.1% 10 crashes · 5 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in May 1997. 1995-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 1995-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1995-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 1995-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 1996-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1996-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 1996-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 1996-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 1997-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1997-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 1997-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 1997-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 1998-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1998-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 1999-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 1999-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 1999-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2000-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2000-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2004-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1992 Jul 2019 Recall campaign 97I002000 ◆ Recall campaign 97I002000 Recall campaign 99V340000 ◆ Recall campaign 99V340000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Investigation PE92080 ● Investigation PE92080 Investigation PE93057 ● Investigation PE93057 Investigation PE95049 ● Investigation PE95049 Investigation DP95007 ● Investigation DP95007 Investigation PE96053 ● Investigation PE96053 Investigation EA97001 ● Investigation EA97001 Investigation RQ98023 ● Investigation RQ98023 Investigation EA99014 ● Investigation EA99014 Investigation DP02005 ● Investigation DP02005
  • Campaign 97I002000 was reported 703 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 99V340000 was reported 1,658 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 4,807 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 7
1995-Q2 Owner reports 5
1995-Q3 Owner reports 5
1995-Q4 Owner reports 3
1996-Q1 Owner reports 4
1996-Q2 Owner reports 2
1996-Q3 Owner reports 5
1996-Q4 Owner reports 4
1997-Q1 Owner reports 2
1997-Q2 Owner reports 6
1997-Q3 Owner reports 8
1997-Q4 Owner reports 1
1998-Q1 Owner reports 4
1998-Q2 Owner reports 5
1998-Q3 Owner reports 2
1998-Q4 Owner reports 3
1999-Q1 Owner reports 3
1999-Q2 Owner reports 1
1999-Q3 Owner reports 1
1999-Q4 Owner reports 4
2000-Q1 Owner reports 2
2000-Q2 Owner reports 1
2000-Q3 Owner reports 6
2000-Q4 Owner reports 2
2001-Q1 Owner reports 4
2001-Q3 Owner reports 4
2001-Q4 Owner reports 2
2002-Q1 Owner reports 1
2002-Q2 Owner reports 1
2003-Q1 Owner reports 1
2003-Q3 Owner reports 1
2003-Q4 Owner reports 4
2004-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 97I002000
Recall campaign 1 99V340000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Defect investigation 1 PE92080
Defect investigation 1 PE93057
Defect investigation 1 PE95049
Defect investigation 1 DP95007
Defect investigation 1 PE96053
Defect investigation 1 EA97001
Defect investigation 1 RQ98023
Defect investigation 1 EA99014
Defect investigation 1 DP02005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 97I002000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 99V340000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 109 complaints · page 1 of 5
2019-08-02Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11241323
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT CALLED MOPAR AND THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER; BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY MOPAR TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED 21 YEARS AGO BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2015-08-15Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 10748859
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. WHEN I GOT TO 60 I NOTICED MY SUV BEGAN TO SHAKE. HITTING A BUMP MOST OF THE TIME STARTS THE PROBLEM. IT VIBRATED SO MUCH AND SO LOUDLY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 55. I TOOK IT TO THE FIRST MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE "STEERING STABILIZER" IT DID COST ABOUT $150-$300 TO FIX. I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY BUT IT WASN'T CHEAP. IT WORKED FOR AWHILE. I HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL OTHER CAR SERVICE COMPANIES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PERMANENTLY FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AT THE MOMENT IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN THIS STARTED BUT IF I GO OVER 60 THERE IS A 90% CHANCE OF IT HAPPENING. IF I GO OVER 60 AND HIT A BUMP THERE IS A 100% CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING.
2007-03-07Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10184466
CrashFireInjuryDeath
(1) COVER ON INTERIOR HALOGEN LAMP FELL OFF. (2) HALOGEN LAMP WAS EXPOSED AND FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD SUFFERED BURNS TO HAND FROM HALOGEN LAMP. (3) HALOGEN LAMP WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. *JB
2005-04-08Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10117657
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DURING AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT ON THE 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON IMPACT. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED FACIAL AND HEAD INJURIES AS A RESULT. *NM
2004-04-15Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10067216
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART, AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
2003-12-23Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10051976
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAVING ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
2003-12-10Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 10051804
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS.*MR AFTER HAVING PAID FOR REPAIRS ON HIS CAR, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE ROTORS.*CB ALSO WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR. *JB
2003-12-04Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 10049231
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DEAR SIR/MADAM: I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION MATTERS RELATED TO A CERTAIN SAFETY DEFECT WHICH I BELIEVE RESULTED IN CAR CRASHES CAUSED BY THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF DAIMLER/CHRYSLER'S, CHRYSLER GROUP VEHICLES. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IS MY FORMER EMPLOYER AND I WORKED THERE AS AN ENGINEER. DURING MY TENURE THERE, I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE GROUP THAT NOW HAS AS ITS MEMBERS, THE CORPORATIONS EXPERT WITNESS DEFENDING THE CORPORATION IN LAW SUITS RELATED TO THESE CRASHES. THIS SAME GROUP WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND RELEASING THE CONTROLS WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT IN TIME I WAS PART OF THE TEAM AT DAILMER/CHRYSLER THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING CRASHES CAUSED BY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ACCORDINGLY, I BELIEVE THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME VERY GOOD IF NOT EXCLUSIVE INSIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CAR CRASHES ARE THE RESULT OF DAILMER/CHRYSLERS FLAGRANT NEGLIGENCE IN DEVELOPING THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE CRASHES. IF MY ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOU, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I AM WILLING TO HELP IN WHATEVER CAPACITY I CAN. IT IS WRONG THAT DAILMER/CHRYSLER BUILT AND SOLD VEHICLES WHICH MAY HURT IF NOT KILL SOMEONE. REGARDLESS OF YOUR DISPOSITION OF THIS MATTER, IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE A REPLY ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 18, 2003 OUTLINING YOU INTENDED COURSE OF ACTION TO MY CONCERN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. *NLM

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

Owners named Brakes most often — 36 of 109 reports (33%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights, Cruise / speed control, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources