Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Jeep Cherokee, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 155 | 54% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 16 | 6% |
| Power train | 12 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2% |
| Seats | 6 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to slow as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The depressed
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME STIFF AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM A GREA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT LOST BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY WHILE BEING OPERATED ON THE HIGHW
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN HUNTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING ABS BRAKE ISSUES ON HIS 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PUMP TO REPAIR THE ABS BRAKES
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND AND FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V26000
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR P
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BRAKE FLUID TUBE MAY ALLOW THE TUBE TO CONTACT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DAMAGING THE TUBE.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AND RESULT IN PARTIALLOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.
Fix: REPOSITION BRAKE TUBE TO AVOID CONTACT WITH STEERING SHAFT; ALSO, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBES.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 155 of them (54%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.