1992 Jeep Cherokee

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

75/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Jeep Cherokee, and it carries 5 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	39	23%
Vehicle speed control	21	13%
Structure	14	8%
Power train	12	7%
Engine and engine cooling	12	7%
Electrical system	11	7%
Suspension	11	7%
Exterior lighting	7	4%
Latches/locks/linkages	6	4%
Seat belts	5	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT CALLED MOPAR AND THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER; BOTH CONFIR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65. WHEN I GOT TO 60 I NOTICED MY SUV BEGAN TO SHAKE. HITTING A BUMP MOST OF THE TIME STARTS THE PROBLEM. IT VIBRATED SO MUCH AND SO LOUDLY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO
NHTSA complaint: Steering

DOUGLAS TIRE 215/75R15, 1200 MILES ON TIRES ALL AT 55 TO 60 MPH. I HAD THEM BALANCED AND AT SLOW SPEED THEY WERE SMOOTH. THE FOLLOWING DAY I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 TO 70 MPH AND I COULD HEAR A LOUD SLAPPING NOISE
NHTSA complaint: Tires

(1) COVER ON INTERIOR HALOGEN LAMP FELL OFF. (2) HALOGEN LAMP WAS EXPOSED AND FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD SUFFERED BURNS TO HAND FROM HALOGEN LAMP. (3) HALOGEN LAMP WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Interior lighting

DURING AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT ON THE 1992 JEEP CHEROKEE MALFUNCTIONED.*MR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON IMPACT. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED FACIAL AND HEAD INJURIES AS A RES
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART, AND WAS ABLE TO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAVING ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAK AND PROBLEMS WITH FRONT ROTORS.*MR AFTER HAVING PAID FOR REPAIRS ON HIS CAR, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE ROTORS.*CB ALSO WATER LEAKED ONTO THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.

Exterior lighting:headlights 09E025000

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.

Exterior lighting 09E012000

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.

Exterior lighting 06E026000

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.

Service brakes 99V340000

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 DISTRI

Risk: THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	82	excellent
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	81	excellent
Depreciation	80	excellent
Performance	71	good
Efficiency	33	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 33% of other
Longevity: better than 38% of other
Running costs: better than 81% of other
Value retention: better than 89% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 82: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 81: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 39 of them (23%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1992 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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.

How long will a 1992 Jeep Cherokee last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Jeep Cherokee?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. 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.