1989 Jeep Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1989 Jeep Cherokee most often describe brake trouble, especially with the ABS system, and sudden or high engine speed related to the fuel injection and throttle position sensor. Complaints arrive over a long span of years and cluster around vehicles that already had high odometer readings, so many of these reports come from older, well-used examples rather than from new trucks.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS brake failure, hard pedal and pump problems

   • 74 complaints (39%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 19.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Owners describe the ABS system losing pressure or refusing to build it, leaving a hard or low pedal and requiring both feet to stop the vehicle. Several say the ABS light came on first, that the pump or actuator was diagnosed as the cause, and that repairs under a recall either could not be obtained because parts were unavailable or did not keep the problem from returning. Some report the pedal going to the floor and no braking at all while driving. Reports span a wide mileage range, from around 100,000 to over 300,000 miles, and several mention wet pavement or low-speed stops.

   Recall 96V260000Recall 91V003000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS recall work was completed and with which parts, and whether the hydraulic unit is original. Before buying, test the pedal feel at low speed on wet or gravel ground and confirm the ABS warning light behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 covered under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10872607, filed 2016-06, 153,000 miles

   “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 warranty for the life of the vehicle. I was told that I could pick up my Jeep and they could order the parts, but they would never arrive. I then called chrysler customer service only to be given the run around for 10 days. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11205390, filed 2019-05, 255,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration or high idle (throttle sensor)

   • 40 complaints (21%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 26.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners describe the engine revving high on startup or racing while idling, sometimes sending the vehicle forward as soon as it is shifted into gear even with the brake applied. Many attribute it to the throttle position sensor and report replacing it repeatedly, with the same behavior returning later. Some were told by the dealer that a related recall did not apply to their vehicle. Complaints are not tied to a single mileage band; several involve the first moments after a cold start or just after shifting into gear.

   Recall 90V177000

   What to check: Start the engine cold and watch the idle; then hold the brake and shift into drive and reverse to see whether engine speed climbs. Ask whether the throttle position sensor has been replaced and whether the cruise control recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The report which came back to me on this problem was numbered, campaign id #90v177000. The failed part is the throttle position sensor . When I called the dealer they said that the chrysler corp. Had to provide this recall, but according to the recall history on this particular vehicle, theres been a few. …”

   NHTSA complaint #704080, filed 1999-03

   “Vehicle was idling in park, was shifted into drive while foot was on the brake, vehicle accelerated to approx. 60 MPH while foot was pressed as hard as possible on brakes and was only stopped by shifting into neutral. Engine was still racing at full throttle until shut off. Car was towed to mechanic where the problem is still being diagnosed.”

   NHTSA complaint #748927, filed 2001-07
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel injector leaks onto exhaust manifold

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 9.1 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe gasoline leaking from the two-piece body of the fuel injectors onto the hot exhaust manifold, with fuel or fumes noticed while the engine runs and after shutdown. In some accounts this led to a fire under the hood. One owner reports the dealer's service staff were familiar with leaking injectors on the 4.0L engine in other Cherokees. No clear mileage pattern in the sample; leaks were noticed both while driving and after the engine was shut off.

   What to check: With the engine cold, look and smell for fuel around the injectors and the exhaust manifold, then check again after a short run. Ask whether the injectors have been replaced and whether any fuel smell has been investigated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The new state of california formulated gasolene standards, according to mechanics, cause premature deterioration of fuel injectors, resulting in fuel injector leaks and fumes entering the interior of vehicle. Consumer sates failure extended beyond just replacing the fuel injector seal, also had to replace all six fuel injectors.”

   NHTSA complaint #805685, filed 1996-12

   “The vehicle had stopped at a light while leaking gas from the fuel injection onto the manifold, which caused a fire under the hood. Vehicle is totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #830009, filed 1998-11

Buying note. Brake and ABS condition is the main thing to verify on this model year, so have the system inspected by someone familiar with the recalled ABS units and confirm what recall work was done. Also check for fuel smells around the injectors and for front-end shake at speed before agreeing on a price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.