Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 670 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Jeep Cherokee, and it carries 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 144 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 129 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 73 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 72 | 11% |
| Power train | 40 | 6% |
| Air bags | 36 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 34 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 16 | 2% |
| Steering | 15 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2015 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH ONLY 14,500 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE SOFTWARE THAT WEEK. A FEW DAYS AFTER PICK UP, I NOTICED THE SAME
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DEAR SIRS, I HAVE DISCOVERED A VERY DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL HAZARD THAT IS OCCURRING ON ALL THE 1990'S JEEP CHEROKEE SE MODELS. ON THE 4.0 LITER 242 CUBIC INCH MODELS, THE DASHBOARD SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE AIRFLOW AFTER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE EXAUST BOLTS ARE BROKEN AND THE JEEP IS LOUD THE NOISE JUST STARTED ONE DAY WHEN I STARTED THE JEEP.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTERS TO SCHOOL WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE JEEP STOPS. IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL SO I CAN MOVE THE JEEP OUT THE MAIN ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN AND HAVE HAD THI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT;' NO. 111, 'REARVIEW MIRROR;' NO. 114, '
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.
Fix: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASI
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1994-1996 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM JANUARY 2007, THROUGH APRIL 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT," FOR THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY. T
Risk: INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12
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.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 670 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 144 of them (21%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) 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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 71/100. 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.