1994 Jeep Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 618 complaints about the 1994 Jeep Cherokee with NHTSA. Structure accounts for 34.8% of them, far more than any other system, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 13.9%.
Complaints618
Crashes68
Fires14
Injuries38
Deaths7
What owners report breaking
Structure 34.8% · 215
Engine and engine cooling 13.9% · 86
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.3% · 70
Vehicle speed control 6.8% · 42
Power train 6.5% · 40
Seat belts 5.8% · 36
Electrical system 3.6% · 22
Equipment 2.1% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 68 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire, 38 report an injury and 7 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 20 model years of the Jeep Cherokee in this data, 1994 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings are rising, 9 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 115,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Both front doors, driver and passenger, have hinges that were disconnecting from vehicle, which would cause doors to fall off. The consumer had hinges spot welded because dealership informed consumer that he would not be reimbursed for any work performed if a recall was issued. Dealership has not performed any work on vehicle. Please provide any additional information/attachments. Structure
3 Right side bolts holding engine to frame sheared off, allowing engine to drop in chassis. Happened at very low speed just after pulling out of parking lot. Rust on one of the broken off bolts indicated that it had been broken for a while. The other two were shinning from breaking recently. Angle of engine after failure made 5th gear and reverse unavailable. Structure
Left front door hinge fell off,the hinge was rusted. The Jeep dealer said it was a factory defect because of a bad weld job , but it was not covered by factory warrant. Please contact me and let me know if other people are having this problem. I have talked to other Jeep owners who are having the same problem. Thank you lorraine d leblanc. Structure
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Jeep Cherokee years
1991 297 complaints · 55.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1992 175 complaints · 26.3% service brakes, hydraulic 1993 571 complaints · 26.6% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 732 complaints · 21.0% structure 1996 584 complaints · 17.8% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 496 complaints · 17.9% fuel system, gasoline