RecallMyCar

1986 Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1986 Jeep Cherokee, and owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
21
owner complaints to NHTSA
3 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
16–26
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Hydraulic (service brakes)

    NHTSA 88V106000 Reported 1,600 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Brake booster vacuum reservoir canisters may develop leaks due to bumper impact.

    Remedy: Replace brake booster vacuum cannisters with new type cannisters; also, install a restriction orifice to ensure sufficient vacuum in event cannister leakage occurs.

  2. Linkages (steering)

    NHTSA 86V159000 Reported 6,958 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    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.

    Remedy: Replace out of tolerance steering linkage couplers.

  3. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 86V146000 Reported 4,928 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Accelerator cable bushing could disconnect from the accelerator lever assembly. Consequence of defect: this could result in loss of engine control with engine returning to idle.

    Remedy: Replace accelerator pedal bracket and lever assemblies.

  4. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 85V139000 Reported 14,643 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

    Jeeps may have an improperly connected fuel line fitting which could become disconnected and cause gasoline to be spilled. Consequence of defect: if the fuel line becomes disconnected, spills gasoline and an ignition source is present, a fire or explosion may occur.

    Remedy: Reconnect fuel line fitting, as required.

21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1986 Jeep Cherokee have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 169,774 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I bought the car and drove it home on november 13, 2013 with the intentions of making a vehicle to use in the winter for bad weather or very bad snow. Here are issues i face. The speedometer goes craz”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 8, 2014 · Steering

“Consumer having problems with power brakes booster . Hard to stop vehicle.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 9, 2002 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee/Wagoneer (Cherokee/Wagoneer 2WD, Cherokee/Wagoneer 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined16–26 mpg
City / Highway15–24 / 17–29
FuelDiesel, Regular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicles
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.1/2.5/2.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd; Manual 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Jeep Cherokee model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Jeep Cherokee model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1973 Jeep Cherokee01
1974 Jeep Cherokee30
1975 Jeep Cherokee50
1976 Jeep Cherokee40
1977 Jeep Cherokee10
1978 Jeep Cherokee21
1979 Jeep Cherokee20
1980 Jeep Cherokee31
1981 Jeep Cherokee21
1982 Jeep Cherokee20
1983 Jeep Cherokee10
1984 Jeep Cherokee37
1985 Jeep Cherokee317
1986 Jeep Cherokee421
1987 Jeep Cherokee557
1988 Jeep Cherokee097
1989 Jeep Cherokee3191
1990 Jeep Cherokee5270
1991 Jeep Cherokee5233
1992 Jeep Cherokee1113
1993 Jeep Cherokee3418
1994 Jeep Cherokee5519
1995 Jeep Cherokee6608
1996 Jeep Cherokee6447
1997 Jeep Cherokee4390
1998 Jeep Cherokee5399
1999 Jeep Cherokee2366
2000 Jeep Cherokee1369
2001 Jeep Cherokee2229
2006 Jeep Cherokee017
2014 Jeep Cherokee132,648
2015 Jeep Cherokee111,789
2016 Jeep Cherokee91,409
2017 Jeep Cherokee61,336
2018 Jeep Cherokee7687
2019 Jeep Cherokee111,653
2020 Jeep Cherokee3316
2021 Jeep Cherokee4168
2022 Jeep Cherokee351
2023 Jeep Cherokee13
2026 Jeep Cherokee46

Checking a specific 1986 Jeep Cherokee

How do I know if my 1986 Jeep Cherokee has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1986 Jeep Cherokee; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Jeep dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V139000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Jeep models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.