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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1987 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
7%of 57 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1987 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The consumer noticed pink fluid on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to dealership. The gasket and seals were replaced on the transfer case. However the leak continued. After parts were replaced and transmission was put on dealership found a porous leak in which a small pin hole was in the side top of transfer case near air vent. The transfer case has to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10091719, filed 2004-11, 67,000 miles

“Reinforcement rubber hose portion of hydraulic clutch line runs too close to exhaust manifold, heat destroyed rubber hose, causing it to burst when clutch was depressed, preventing shifting of transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #512195, filed 1996-12

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026333%
20222956%
202110459%
202019960%
201983350%
201829643%
201765049%
201663645%
20151,00756%
20141,47156%
2006212%
20012410%
2000298%
19995314%
19986516%
19974712%
19966013%
1995437%
1994387%
19934411%
19921513%
1991136%
1990176%
198995%
198888%
198747%
1985212%

Other parts of the 1987 Jeep Cherokee

Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1987 Jeep Cherokee

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology