Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 Jeep Cherokee: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee, most recently filed January 1998. Owners have filed 233 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V005000 Filed Jan 12, 1998

CHRYSLER/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · rotor
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.
Consequence
THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
Repair progress not yet reported293,369 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V005000
Listed for 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V260000 Filed Dec 27, 1996

CHRYSLER/ABS

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION WOULD BE LOSE AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT AND THE BASE MANUAL BRAKES WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
Repair progress not yet reported52,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V260000
Listed for 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V063000 Filed Apr 15, 1991

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:HOSE:NON-METALLIC

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
IMPROPER INSERTION/CRIMPING OF THE HOSE-TO-END FITTINGS OF THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CAN CAUSE DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM, AND DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Consequence
DETACHMENT OF THE HOSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSES THELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST, LEAVING ONLY MANUAL BRAKESAND DECREASING STOPPING ABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DISCHARGE OFHYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE AREA OF THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE.
Repair progress not yet reported17,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V063000
Listed for 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V023000 Filed Feb 11, 1991

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:FITTINGS:NON-METALLIC

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BRAKE FLUID TUBE MAY ALLOW THE TUBE TO CONTACT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DAMAGING THE TUBE.
Consequence
BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AND RESULT IN PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.
Remedy
REPOSITION BRAKE TUBE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH STEERING SHAFT; ALSO, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBES.
Repair progress not yet reported425 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V023000
Listed for 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 90V206000 Filed Dec 18, 1990

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINES:METALLIC

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SUSPENSION JOUNCE BUMPER COULD CONTACT LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBE WHEN SUSPENSION IS AT FULL JOUNCE (BOUNCE).
Consequence
CONTACT AT FULL JOUNCE MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE TUBE TOCOLLAPSE AND RESTRICT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKEWHICH AFFECTS THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
REPLACE LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBE WITH TUBE DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH BUMPER.
Repair progress not yet reported160 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V206000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (233)

233 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

13involved a crash
9involved a fire
14injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 233.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other Cherokee years

Best and worst Cherokee years →
1987198819891990199119921993199419951996
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
17
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 Jeep Cherokee configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18$3,700494
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 Cherokee for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Cherokee years

Where to next

1991 Jeep Cherokee FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 98V005000 (brake), 96V260000 (brake), 91V063000 (brake), 91V023000 (brake), 90V206000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Jeep Cherokee problems?

Owners filed 233 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (163), Engine and engine cooling (17), Seat belts (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Jeep Cherokee get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 17 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 Cherokee compare with other years?

Among the 1987–1996 Jeep Cherokee model years at least five years old, the 1987 drew the fewest complaints (57) and the 1995 the most (608). The 1991 drew 233. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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