1987 Jeep Cherokee
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Jeep › Cherokee › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Jeep Cherokee. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
9 recalls name the 1987 Jeep Cherokee. Newest first.
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, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
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 devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
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.
Vehicle description: multipurpose passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. this IS not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. drivers can mistakenly step on the accelerator pedal when they intend to step on the brake pedal.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Pedal misapplication by a driver can cause unintended acceleration.
Remedy
Dealers will install a shift interlock on the automatic transmission of these vehicles.
Brake booster vacuum reservoir canisters may develop leaks due to bumper impact.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This would result in loss of power brake assist and anincrease in stopping distance.
Remedy
Replace brake booster vacuum cannisters with new type cannisters; also, install a restriction orifice to ensure sufficient vacuum in event cannister leakage occurs.
Vehicle may contain an out of tolerance throttle body.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could prevent the accelerator from returning toidle when released.
Remedy
Replace suspect throttle bodies.
Cruise control module could have inconsistent cruise control operation.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Inconsistent cruise control operation could result inloss of control and an accident.
Remedy
Replace module, as necessary.
A stud may have been installed on top of the intake manifold of engine that could contact the fuel supply hose. consequence of defect: chafing of the fuel hose could occur which could result in a fuel leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Remove stud and replace fuel supply hose and line assembly on vehicles with accumulated mileage.
Steering linkage couplers remained in acid etching bath too long. consequence of defect: couplers could be out of tolerance resulting in steering wheel misalignment with eventual loss of vehicle control.
Owner complaints
57 complaints4 involved a crash7 involved a fire8 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Linkages
Dt*: the contact stated there IS a problem with the steering in the vehicle. the vehicle IS at the dealership at this time for diagnostics test. There IS a nhtsa recall, # 86v159000 regarding the steering linkages. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic · Steering › Linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal · Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Dt: the contact stated this vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recalls; 97i002000 concerning the accelerator pedal , recall 88v106000 concerning the power assist hydraulic service brakes/recall 87v035000 concerning vehicle speed control linkages/ 86v159000 concerning the…
Dt: the contact stated this vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recalls; 97i002000 concerning the accelerator pedal , recall 88v106000 concerning the power assist hydraulic service brakes/recall 87v035000 concerning vehicle speed control linkages/ 86v159000 concerning the steering linkages, and 86v160000 concerning the fuel system deliver: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. she contacted daimler/chrylser, and they stated this vehicle was not included in the recalls due to vin. *ak
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
The consumer noticed pink fluid on the garage floor. the vehicle was taken to dealership. the gasket and seals were replaced on the transfer case. however the leak continued. after parts were replaced and transmission was put on dealership found a porous leak in which a small pin hole was in the side top of transfer case near air vent. the transfer case has to be replaced. *ak *sc
- Equipment › Electrical
This jeep IS unpredictable because it accelerates for no expected reason it seems to get stuck on a high throttle idle speed when I first turn it on. I would turn it on and it will accelerate at very high revolutions , it sounds like its going to explode, so I turn it off then on again and it will…
This jeep IS unpredictable because it accelerates for no expected reason it seems to get stuck on a high throttle idle speed when I first turn it on. I would turn it on and it will accelerate at very high revolutions , it sounds like its going to explode, so I turn it off then on again and it will do the same thing, I will turn it off and on a couple of times and maybe it will get back to normal idle speed, all this while the car IS in park. And sometimes I will turn it on again and it turns on like normal like there IS nothing wrong with it. if I turn it on and its accelerated and I take for a ride it feels like its going to take off on me and when I step on the clutch it makes a hissing noise. This problem sucks beacuse when I take it to the machanics nothing shows up as a problem ...because it IS unpredictable when its going to do it. So I look like the fool trying to show the mechanic what it may do.
- Steering › Column
Steering column snapped. As a result, steering failed. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
When braking after driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. as a result, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. recall 87v03500 was issued, but this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak the vehicle would not stop until the key was turned off. the engine…
When braking after driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. as a result, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. recall 87v03500 was issued, but this vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak the vehicle would not stop until the key was turned off. the engine would race while trying to stop and would overcome the usage of full braking. the engine racing had occurred during the start of the vehicle. the engine would be turned off and on again, then would return to normal. *scc *jb
- Steering › Column
Steering column wobbles at tilt joint . On left turns, steering column locks in position making car undriveable. *nlm
- Vehicle speed control
The consumer was sitting in the vehicle with the engine idling in front of a hospital entrance, when all of a sudden the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning and crashed into a building. six people were injured. *jb
- Vehicle speed control
While traveling on the highway without prior warning. the throttle was stuck and the vehicle accelerate and hit an embankment. and roll three or more times. please fill in additional information dealer IS aware of the problem. Ts
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving vehicle noticed there was smoke seeping from under the hood. Was able to open the hood and noticed that vehicle caught on fire. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When turning vehicle on on full throttle cannot stop vehicle if put it in gear. Contacted mechanic. throttle body problem.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Engine caught on fire after vehicle was parked. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
With the engine running at idle speed, the idler pulley separated from the engine and almost hit the consumers head, it bounced off the consumers garage wall and impacted the garage concrete floor, the bearings within the idler pulley failed, causing the pulley bolt threads to back out of the housing. *yd
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The bearings within the idler pulley (number 53002905) failed causing the pulley bolt threads to back out of the housing, the engine was running with the hood up slightly above engine idle speed when idler pulley separated from the engine and became airborn. nlm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The accessories wire [brown in color] overheats and melts causing the socket assembly and the ignition switch to almost catch on fire. That one wire on 1987 and early models happens alot. I researched a number of jeeps in salvage yards locally. Jeep must have discovered the defect later models…
The accessories wire [brown in color] overheats and melts causing the socket assembly and the ignition switch to almost catch on fire. That one wire on 1987 and early models happens alot. I researched a number of jeeps in salvage yards locally. Jeep must have discovered the defect later models have an extra red wire on that socket to take up some of load on that wire. I have'nt finished my research yet to find what year they added the extra wire. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
The vehicle slipped into a different gear. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While the engine was running, bearing within the idler pulley failed, the pulley bolt threads back out of the housing, the idler pulley separated from the engine and torpedoed pass owner's head, pulley could have seriously injured or killed anyone in its path. *cj
- Vehicle speed control
Cruise control failed.*et
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
Both rear bumper brackets completly rusted out & rear bumper disconnected from right bracket & hanging only by one bracket & dragging on ground behind vehicle as it was moving at highway speed. The bumper could have fallen off and presented a serious road hazard to following vehicles.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumers son was driving down highway and suddenly front right tires tread completely peeled off, consumers son briefly lost control of auto, no injury was sustained, tires only had 8-10000 miles- they were firestone tires size p205r/7515 fr360.*ak *slc
- Tires
Bought full set of tires 2 years ago. Over one year I had 6 flat tires from punctures, one of which punctured the tire so bad as to make it unrepairable. Four of these incidents were driving on normal roads, the other two on gravel roads. So called 'all terrain' tires should not be so prone to puncturing. *Ak( dot number: tire size: 235/15 )
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Ball bearing bushings restrained by metal band in steering column both separated as well as elongate allowing ball bearings to fall out, resulting in steering locking, popping noises and looseness in the steering column. can be easily detected by jiggling the steering wheel, steering wheel with…
Ball bearing bushings restrained by metal band in steering column both separated as well as elongate allowing ball bearings to fall out, resulting in steering locking, popping noises and looseness in the steering column. can be easily detected by jiggling the steering wheel, steering wheel with move up and down and side to side once bearings have dislodged. I was curious about this problem after the third incident, so I visited a junkyard, I inspected 7 jeep cherokee's stearing columns and 2 had this problem. my last incident with this problem was in february 2000, I disposed of this vehicle in april 2000 due to this reoccuring problem. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Possibele engine failure, the vehicle lost speed and over heated, catching fire and rsulting in total damage. Yh
- Suspension › Front · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
1. accelerator sticks intermittently, have to restart jeep several times to get it to idle down. if I am traveling down the road it will accelerate by itself up to 3500 rpm making braking difficult. have to pull over and restart jeep until it unsticks itself. 2. have noticed really loose…
1. accelerator sticks intermittently, have to restart jeep several times to get it to idle down. if I am traveling down the road it will accelerate by itself up to 3500 rpm making braking difficult. have to pull over and restart jeep until it unsticks itself. 2. have noticed really loose front end from the time I bought it from dealer. I replaced a tracking arm and front shocks, now it IS making a clunking noise at low speed turns, I read under nhtsa defects that I'm not the only one with this steering problem. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column bolt loosened, causing steering column to come apart.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Safety belt retractor
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- Cruise control erratic
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- Stalling
Analysis of information from manufacturer:the multi-point injectionsystem (mpi) used on the subject vehicles has had wiring harness failureand failure of the crank position sensor (cps).both failures have a highfrequency and are the subject of jeep task forces.numerous modificationsto both items have been…
Analysis of information from manufacturer:the multi-point injectionsystem (mpi) used on the subject vehicles has had wiring harness failureand failure of the crank position sensor (cps).both failures have a highfrequency and are the subject of jeep task forces.numerous modificationsto both items have been made.analysis:the stalling problem IS semi-intermittent, that IS wiringharness failure IS most likely to occur under those conditions where theharness IS disturbed (cornering and rough road).cps failure can occur anytime, but failure appears to be accentuated by high underhood temperatures(exhaust manifold leaks, etc.) and distortion of the cps housing fromexhaust heat damage or thermal flexing.both conditions result in nosignal.status:recommend opening ea and sending a more refined ir.===
- Throttle control
Summary:the pe was opened to investigate whether jeep's recall of certain1987 model vehicles equipped with the 4.0 liter fuel injected 6 cylinderengine (87v-035) had involved all the potentially affected vehicles.areview of the odi files had indicated that 1987-1988 jeep vehiclesequipped with the 4.O liter engine also…
Summary:the pe was opened to investigate whether jeep's recall of certain1987 model vehicles equipped with the 4.0 liter fuel injected 6 cylinderengine (87v-035) had involved all the potentially affected vehicles.areview of the odi files had indicated that 1987-1988 jeep vehiclesequipped with the 4.O liter engine also were experiencing some throttlecontrol problem.a review of the warranty claims and the availableincident reports does not indicate that a potential defect trend existsor IS developing.the warranty claims attenuate, and the alledgedincidents appear to be caused by a variety of factors. #===
- Fires caused by cltch lk
No safety defect trend has been detected.===
- Elec. Rear window
Analysis of the complaints and odi examination of vehicles suggests thatimpingement of the tailgate lock dust cover against the key may eitherinduce or continue unintended upward movement of the tailgate window.status:chrysler recalled by letter dated november 19, 1987.however,we believe that the self examination…
Analysis of the complaints and odi examination of vehicles suggests thatimpingement of the tailgate lock dust cover against the key may eitherinduce or continue unintended upward movement of the tailgate window.status:chrysler recalled by letter dated november 19, 1987.however,we believe that the self examination called for in the recall notice doesnot meet with the intent of the law.chrysler has been requested toreexamine the recall by letter dated 11/20/87.
- High speed stalling
Summary of information from manufacturer:the fuel injected 6 cylinder(242 cid) in-line engine IS apparently new to the installation into thejeep cherokee.analysis:the fuel injected engine allegedly stalls while the vehicle iscruising at highway speeds (35-55mph).two failure modes have beenidentified, stalling when…
Summary of information from manufacturer:the fuel injected 6 cylinder(242 cid) in-line engine IS apparently new to the installation into thejeep cherokee.analysis:the fuel injected engine allegedly stalls while the vehicle iscruising at highway speeds (35-55mph).two failure modes have beenidentified, stalling when cornering or going over a bump and the otheris engine stall while cruising--usually in high ambient temperaturesituations.jeep has identified a problem with the exhaust manifoldgasket fit to the cylinder head which affects the high temperatureperformance of the cps (crank position sensor/engine speed sensor)module. Chrysler/jeep has a task force to study the problem.status:crecommend closing this pe and continuing the analysis in an ea.#===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 633948Subject regarding floor pan corrosion. *Slc
- 600604Subject on customer satisfaction notification #733--brake pedal shift interlock.
- 39539Redesigned liftgate latch.
- 37855New front output seal and oil slinger for transfer case.
Every Jeep Cherokee model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.