Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 125 of 191 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Brakes
117 complaint records3 fire reports4 crash reports
"#91V003000 CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIR BUT STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME THING DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR JEEP. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Speed control
46 complaint records5 crash reports
"AUTO-TRANSMISSION AND ERRATIC ENGINE IDLE SPEED. SHE WAS NOT INFORMED RECALL UNTIL JUNE 1995. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
21 complaint records2 fire reports
"WHILE FRONT END FELL OFF VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING.CONTACTED DEALER. COOLING RESERVIOR CRACKED.DEALER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON,EVEN WITH NEWER MODELS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE93057 opened Jun 1993 | closed Oct 1993 | Power Train | DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL There is no summary currently available |
| EA90024 opened Apr 1990 | closed Jan 1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES - led to recall 91V003000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE90033 opened Jan 1990 | closed Apr 1990 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96V260000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR... | Normally free |
| 91V003000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | THERE MAY BE HYDRAULIC FLUID CONTAMINATION FROM CONDENSATION FORMATION THAT CAN PLUG THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP FILTER; STRESS CORROSION OF THE MASTER CYLINDER SNAP RING HAS BEEN TRACED TO CHLORINE LEAKING FROM THE LOW... | Normally free |
| 90V177000 | Vehicle Speed Control | MALFUNCTION OF FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THROTTLE POSTITION SENSOR COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING ENGINE. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996179 1996-11-12 | Brakes | 5,991 | Vehicles with ABS brakes may experience premature actuator piston seal wear in the ABS hydraulic control unit and/or actuator pump motor deterioration. |
| 1995062 1995-04-07 | Emissions | 2,683 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. CATALYSTS AND OXYGEN SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. |
| 1994195 1994-12-12 | Emissions | 255 | THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. CATALYSTS AND OXYGEN SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. CORRECTION: CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED COMPONENTS. |
| 1993071 1993-05-21 | Emissions | 64,277 | NOTE: JEEP VEHICLES WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES, RENAULT VEHICLES WITH 2.0 LITRE ENGINES AND EAGLE PREMIER VEHICLES WITH 2.5 AND 3 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. |
| 1991018 1991-01-29 | Engine | 12,752 | ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4 LITRE ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS) CAN RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE CONDITION IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE START UP. |
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991007 1991-01-09 | Brakes | 4,033 | ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF THE ABS LOW PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE FLUID IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS AND IMPAIR THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE ABS... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23-014-15 Apr 2015 | Equipment | 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. | |
| 2302602 Jun 2002 | Structure | SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC | |
| 0800600REV Dec 2000 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB | |
| 2300800B Nov 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 230800 Mar 2000 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
Show 14 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 080600 Feb 2000 | Electrical System | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT | |
| 233599REVA Oct 1999 | Structure | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS | |
| 233599 Sep 1999 | Seats | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT | |
| 081698 Apr 1998 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON INSTALLATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT. *AK | |
| 98733 Dec 1997 | Power Train | SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC | |
| 070397 May 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VARIOUS CAR OWNER'S HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN USING ENGINE COOLANTS MADE WITH PROPYLENE GLYCOL INSTEAD OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL. *YC | |
| 230397 Feb 1997 | Structure | DIFFICULT TO CLEAN LIGHT COLORED "CHALKY" RESIDUE FROM PLASTIC BODY COMPONENTS THAT ARE MOLDED IN BLACK. *TW | |
| RCL/617 May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNKNOWN | |
| RCL/556 Feb 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR, PCV HOSE (YJ ONLY), TRANSFER CASE VACUUM HOSE AND /OR FUEL TANK VENT VALVE BOOT MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA STANDARDS. IN ADDITION, THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD MAY PRODUCE AN EXHAUST LEAK NOISE. | |
| 011395 Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #556. *TW | |
| RCL/616 Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR ON CERTAIN 1989 JEEP CHEROKEE, COMANCHE AND WRANGLER MODELS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR MAY CAUSE YOUR VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS. | |
| RCL/556 Dec 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN EMISSION RELATED COMPONENTS OF THE 1989 JEEP EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS STANDARDS. | |
| 212194 Nov 1994 | Power Train | NEW FRONT OUTPUT SEAL AND OIL SLINGER FOR TRANSFER CASE. *TW | |
| 231693 Mar 1993 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Jeep Cherokee →