1992 Jeep Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year concentrate on two areas: front brake rotors that corrode and separate from the hub, and sudden unintended acceleration when shifting out of park, often after starting the vehicle. Many reports involve older, high-mileage vehicles used as daily drivers, though the acceleration reports cluster at low odometer readings. Owners also describe hard or locked-up brakes, rear liftgate and door problems, and exhaust leaks.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration when shifting out of park

   • 17 complaints (15%)
   • median 61,050 mi at 12.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Owners describe the engine revving to high rpm and the vehicle surging forward or backward as soon as the shifter moves from park into drive or reverse, sometimes with the driver's foot off the accelerator. Several reports say turning off the ignition was the only way to stop the vehicle, and a few mention brakes that felt ineffective at the same moment. Where dealers were involved, owners report the problem could not be duplicated or was attributed to a floor mat, and one owner disconnected the cruise control as a precaution. Reports are not tied to high mileage; the few with recorded odometer values include vehicles around 11,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, start the vehicle and shift through park, reverse and drive with a foot firmly on the brake, and watch the throttle cable and cruise-control linkage for sticking or fraying. Ask whether the cruise control has been serviced or disconnected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dear sir/madam: I would like to bring to your attention matters related to a certain safety defect which I believe resulted in car crashes caused by the unintended acceleration of daimler/chrysler's, chrysler group vehicles. Daimler/chrysler is my former employer and I worked there as an engineer. During my tenure there, I worked closely with the group that now has as its members, the corporations expert witness defending the corporation in law suits related to these crashes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049231, filed 2003-12, 111,100 miles

   “Started vehicle, moved from park to drive and car accelerated to an extremely high speed and smashed into the car in front of it, causing that car to be totaled and over $2,000 damage to the Jeep. When this happened, the driver's foot was not even on the gas pedal!”

   NHTSA complaint #750524, filed 2001-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Front brake rotors corrode and separate from hub

   • 35 complaints (31%)
   • median 202,223 mi at 12.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Complaints describe the front rotors rusting through at the hub so the disc separates from the center, causing pulling to one side, longer stopping distance, or loss of braking. Some owners say a dealer replaced rotors, and several mention learning afterward about a rotor corrosion recall that applied to nearby model years. Others report reimbursement disputes over work done before they were notified. Reported on vehicles roughly five and more years old, including states with road salt; sample odometer readings range from about 100,000 to over 200,000 miles.

   Recall 99V340000

   What to check: Inspect the inner face of both front rotors where the disc meets the hub, and check whether campaign 99V340000 was performed for this vehicle; rust scaling or a visible gap at the hub is the thing to look for.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have moved since purchasing my Jeep. I was traveling on the road when all of a sudden my breaks did not work. I crashed to a stop but by the grace of god I was not traveling at a high speed. I only bumped my head. I had to have the car towed to crest auto world in n. Conway, nh. They said that the front break rotors seperated from the center hub. He gave me a copy of a recall notice showing that the year 90-91 & 93 for my car had a recall for this exact problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #540195, filed 1998-08

   “Vehicle experienced fuel leak and problems with front rotors. After having paid for repairs on his car, the consumer was never made aware of a recall on his vehicle regarding the rotors. Also water leaked onto the floor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051804, filed 2003-12, 202,223 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Hard or non-functioning brakes, ABS lock-up

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 6.6 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor, or conversely feeling very stiff with the vehicle failing to slow, and some report the ABS engaging or locking the brakes at ordinary speeds. A few say the brakes stayed applied after the pedal was released, with master cylinder, booster or brake light switch replaced and the symptom returning. Others note the ABS warning light staying on while driving. Scattered across the sample with little mileage detail; reports span vehicles of many ages, including one at about 11,000 miles.

   What to check: Test the brakes firmly at low speed and on a straight road, check that the pedal holds pressure and returns freely, and confirm the ABS light goes out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle rolled over onto the side because of faulty brakes. Driver depressed the brake pedal when approaching a stop sign at 35mph, and the brake pedal would not go down to the floor. The brake pedal was very stiff. The road was flat with a little up grade, it wasn't a hill. The vehicle rolled across the intersection at full speed while the driver blew the horn to inform the other drivers that the vehicle could not be stopped.”

   NHTSA complaint #823847, filed 1998-06

   “When driving at any speed and applying brakes, the brakes are hard and the ABS system locks up, causing the consumer to have no brakes. Consumer has to dodge other vehicles in order not to have an accident due to the fact that the brakes don't stop the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #832885, filed 1998-12
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rear liftgate and door problems

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 202,223 mi at 12.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners report the gas struts on the rear liftgate losing support so the door will not stay open, and in one case swinging back down. Others describe door welds or hinges giving trouble, a rear door opening in a collision, and a seat track spring rusting after water collected on the floor. Dealers are described as saying the door behavior is normal for the design. Mostly reported on vehicles well past 100,000 miles, with one report near 200,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Open and close the liftgate and check that the struts hold it up, look for cracks or rust around door hinges and welds, and lift the carpets for dampness after rain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear hatchback hydraulic cylinder broke, causing injuries when open. Tt consumer states rear door very heavy to close at times, after accident consumer took vehicle to dealer and they stated all the doors are like that, even the temperature affects them and there was nothing wrong with cylinders, when consumer closed the door, it apparently did not catch and flew back and injured consumer vehicle was parked.”

   NHTSA complaint #973929, filed 1995-10

   “I feel that this is a safety issue-if the welds break, which they have and chrysler has issued a TSB #23-04-96 which covers 4 yes 4 years they should pay for the repair - and repair all of these doors. What are they wating for - a door to fall off.”

   NHTSA complaint #722240, filed 2000-05
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Exhaust manifold cracks and fumes in cabin

   • 9 complaints (8%)
   • median 142,600 mi at 12.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2003

   Complaints describe exhaust fumes entering the cabin from a cracked exhaust manifold, sometimes noticed as smoke or a strong smell while driving. One owner reported oil loss along with the manifold crack and was told the repair would cost more than the vehicle was worth. Separately, owners report cooling-system and gasket work including radiator, water pump, thermostat and rear main seal. Reported on higher-mileage vehicles, with sample readings around 110,000 to 143,000 miles.

   What to check: With the engine cold, listen for a ticking exhaust leak near the manifold and look for soot streaks; with the engine warm and the heater on, notice any exhaust smell inside the cabin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car has been steadily losing oil for the last month and I after I came back from lunch at work one day, which was less than a mile from my work, I noticed that my car was smoking so I pulled over and waited for a half an hour then went directly to the gas station where he told me I needed to have the exhaust manifold repaired, I took it to my mechanic and he advised me that the exhaust manifold was cracked and if he took it apart it would end up costing more than the car was worth. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043266, filed 2003-10, 142,600 miles

   “Thrermostat/radiator/water pump/rear main seal/head gasket/valve cover gasket/engine oil pan gasket/oil filter adapter ring. Failed. Also replaced transmission/temperature gauge and plug wires.”

   NHTSA complaint #523389, filed 1997-09

Buying note. Given the age of these vehicles, condition matters more than the model year itself. Have the front brake rotors and the throttle and cruise-control linkage checked by an independent mechanic before buying, and confirm whether the rotor corrosion campaign was completed.

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.