1991 Jeep Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report problems overwhelmingly with the ABS: loss or delay of power assist, a stiff or low pedal, warning lights, and repeated repairs under the ABS recall. Most complaints are filed on high-mileage vehicles, and many describe the trouble recurring after recall work was already done. Other reports are scattered across seat belts, transmission, cooling and electrical systems.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS pump/actuator failure and loss of power brakes

   • 153 complaints (66%)
   • median 170,867 mi at 22.8 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2022

   Owners describe the brake pedal going stiff or traveling to the floor, warning lights for brake and ABS coming on, and extended stopping distance or total loss of power assist. Many say the ABS pump motor, actuator piston or accumulator was diagnosed as the source, and that the problem returned after earlier recall repairs. Complaints also mention long waits for parts and disputes about whether the recall's lifetime coverage applied. Reported across a wide mileage span, from under 80,000 to over 200,000 miles, on vehicles typically well over a decade old.

   Recall 96V260000Recall 91V063000Recall 91V023000

   What to check: Ask for the recall repair history on campaign 96V260000 and whether the pump motor and actuator were replaced. Test the pedal from a cold start, look for ABS and brake warning lights, and have a shop pressure-test the ABS hydraulic unit before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Under NHTSA campaign number: 96v260000 my brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly for my ABS brake system do not work . Under the recall there is a lifetime warranty. I took it into the Jeep dealership at 6/26/13. It is now october! I've been driving around having little to know brake power basically out of necessity , and they did not offer me a loaner or anything. Please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10547051, filed 2013-10, 174,735 miles

   “My ABS pump has failed, and chrysler is failing to comply with NHTSA recall #96v260000 having to do with the ABS pump. The recall clearly states that the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage . I called the chrysler recall center today, and at 5:01pm pst, sasha told me that there is no warranty on that part, and I was denied help. The NHTSA recall clearly states otherwise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10937167, filed 2016-12, 195,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks and hose/tube problems

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 208,970 mi at 25.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Some owners report losing brake fluid quickly, a loose reservoir, and fluid leaks around the master cylinder or ABS plumbing. A few describe a sudden loss of braking after a rear brake line collapsed, and one links that to the suspension contacting the line at full bounce. Complaints mention master cylinder and ABS component replacement without a lasting fix. Reported at mileages from about 130,000 to over 230,000 miles on older vehicles.

   Recall 90V206000Recall 91V063000Recall 91V023000

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for wet spots or corrosion on the lines, hoses and fittings, especially at the left rear and around the ABS unit. Confirm whether the hose and tube recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently installed new bumpstops on the rear of my Jeep and noticed a decrease in braking ability. Today while driving I had a sudden loss of braking power and rear ended another vehicle. While inspecting my braking system and my Jeep for damage. I noticed that I had a rear brake line collapsed. I remember reading about recall 90v206000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10212024, filed 2007-12, 233,198 miles

   “The contact owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. While driving at various speeds and attempting to stop the vehicle, the contact had to depress the brake pedal with extreme pressure to stop the vehicle. When the contact filled the vehicle with brake fluid, the fluid leaked out quicker than anticipated. As a result, the manual braking system had to be used instead of the power assist braking system. The brake warning light illuminated. Also, the horn sounded without warning and the power steering seized. The failure recurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10855159, filed 2016-04, 184,000 miles

Buying note. The ABS system is the main thing to verify on this model year: ask for recall paperwork and have the hydraulic unit and pump motor checked before purchase. Beyond that, inspect brakes, seat belts and transmission engagement carefully, since repairs on a vehicle this age can add up quickly.

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.