1991 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,468miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1991 Jeep Cherokee, 6% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,468 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Particular incident involved said vehicle rolling backward down a subtle grade after the owner exited the vehicle w/keys in hand. The vehicle shift lever was engaged in d (drive) and the vehicle engine was not running. As a result, vehicle impacted another car incurring significant damage to the rear of said vehicle. When vehicle motor is turned off, while transmission shift lever is engaged in d (drive), r (reverse), 3, or 1-2 (low gear) and ignition key is removed, vehicle can move freely forward or backward (as if it is in neutral gear). …”
NHTSA complaint #10155234, filed 2006-04, 170,468 miles“While driving at 5-10 MPH lost all power and vehicle completely shut down, losing transmission fluid. Had to be pushed across three lanes of traffic. Vehicle gave no warning. Took to dealer, problem was not remedied. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8007578, filed 2002-04“Clutch pedal broken where the control horn attaches to the pedal. This was welded to the pivot tube on one side only, causing all the stress on this component to bear on a 1/4 square piece of metal.”
NHTSA complaint #702016, filed 1999-01“Vehicle was stopped. Transmission in park. Paking brake on. Driver exited vehicle to open rear liftgate. As soon as driver exited the vehicle, the vehicle began moving backwards. The driver door knocked the driver to the pavement and the front left tire rolled over part of the driver's body. Driver sustained facial and knee injuries requiring hospitalization and 3 more followup surgeries. More facial surgery may be required. The drivers vehicle stopped when the rear struck another vehicle. The vehicle was parcked on level pavement. Wittnesses were present.”
NHTSA complaint #747875, filed 2001-07“The Jeep Cherokee equipped with the aw4 automatic transmission which is all auto vehicles manufactured since the begining of the 1987 model year have a serious design defect in the transmission that will cause unwanted and dangerous automatic downshifting into first gear from second gear at an unacceptable high rate of speed. If the operator has moved the shift lever into the 1-2 gear shift position for better control and engine braking and the vehicle speed drops below 28 to 23 MPH the transmission will without warning abruptly downshift to first gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #726289, filed 2000-07Transmission 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 1991 Jeep Cherokee
163 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 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