1989 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 191 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,134miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Jeep Cherokee, 5% of the 191 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,134 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Clutch master cylinder(cmc) pressure failed at home; discovered clutch pedal pivot bracket cracked and broken when replacing cmc. Discovered only top half of bracket welded to pivot which caused stress in the lower half at the diameter cross section. Fortunately, teenage daughter was not driving at time of failure. Broken parts removed to welding shop for correct repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10165000, filed 2006-08, 139,267 miles“The contact owns a 1989 Jeep Cherokee. While placing the vehicle in reverse, it immediately accelerated to 22 MPH out of the driveway. The contact had to place both feet on the brake pedal in order to seize the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10743940, filed 2015-07, 97,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2022 | 29 | 56% |
| 2021 | 104 | 59% |
| 2020 | 199 | 60% |
| 2019 | 833 | 50% |
| 2018 | 296 | 43% |
| 2017 | 650 | 49% |
| 2016 | 636 | 45% |
| 2015 | 1,007 | 56% |
| 2014 | 1,471 | 56% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 | 65 | 16% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 13% |
| 1995 | 43 | 7% |
| 1994 | 38 | 7% |
| 1993 | 44 | 11% |
| 1992 | 15 | 13% |
| 1991 | 13 | 6% |
| 1990 | 17 | 6% |
| 1989 | 9 | 5% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1989 Jeep Cherokee
92 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 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