1994 Jeep Cherokee: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 519 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (39% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 519 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 jeep cherokee. While driving approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank case sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000...updated 02/01/16 *bf updated 02/05/16*lj, 04/19/18 *jb *js”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“After receiving the safety recall notice of the affected parts on my jeep, I contacted the manufacturer where I was told that I would be given a call back when the specific part came in. 3 months past and I received no call so I decided to call again and yet have to get a call back from the manufacturer. I would hope that if it was important enough to send me a recall notice it would be important enough to get the issue fixed. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2014
“My mother was rear ended which caused the frame including the seat to completely not hold together,, my mother was ejected from the vehicle as it proceeded to roll over,, killing her instantly.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1994 jeep cherokee. The driver's side seat belt buckle not only lets go suddenly, but often does not even engage at all. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2010
“While on freeway 65 mph, the tire started to "bounce", and shutter..I pulled over and checked out my tire and saw the tread starting to come apart from the rest of the tire...the whole way around the tire. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated to approximately 20 mph without warning when she placed the gear into drive. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. She crashed into a tree. The contact sustained head, neck, and back injuries as well as cuts and scratches on her knees. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 177,264. Updated 09/06/07 *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2007
“Went to dealership regarding NHTSA campaign id number : 99v340000 (brakes) and dealer said due to mileage of jeep that the recall would not be done. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 97v069000 concerning the steering gear box. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The contact will have the vehicle repaired at his own expense.*ak update 1/11/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2005
“Driving up hill, just starting out loud bang was heard followed by the engine fan hitting the fan shroud and radiator. Found 3 right side engine motor mount bolts that attach mount to block broken and motor dropped down about 2 inches. Scalding coolant caused minor burns on hands. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2005
“Dt: the contact stated the driver's side seat belt buckle broke. The spring mechanism had a failure to lock. The manufacturer has not been contacted. Repairs will be made at the contact's expense.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 54 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
THE TWO REAR INBOARD SAFETY BELT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE THREAD ENGAGEMENT INTO THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR NUTS.
Remedy: REPLACE THE TWO INBOARD SAFETY BELT ANCHOR BOLTS WITH LONGER BOLTS ON ALL VEHICLES.
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. THE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REQUIRED THIRD BRAKE LAMP.
Remedy: 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, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
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 THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
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.
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.
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, 'THEFT PROTECTION;' NO. 115, 'VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER;' NO. 118, 'POWER WINDOW SYSTEM;' NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS;' NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION;' AND NO. 301, 'FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.'
Remedy: 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 BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
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 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
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 THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE FRAME, A FILLET WELD THAT JOINS THE INNER STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRAME RAIL, WAS OMITTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE FRAME RAIL. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CRACKS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REINFORCEMENT PLATES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE FREE OF CRACKS WILL HAVE A SLOT CUT IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FILLET WELD WILL BE ADDED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Cherokee by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA has 519 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Jeep Cherokee. The most complained-about area is structure (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Jeep Cherokee problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Jeep Cherokee have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.