1986 Jeep Cherokee problems
The Jeep Cherokee is a line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Jeep over five generations.
Marketed initially as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size SUV to one of the first compact SUVs and into its current generation as a crossover SUV.
Named after the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans in the United States, Jeep has used the nameplate in some capacity since late 1973 when American Motors Corporation introduced the 1974 model year line.
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Common 1986 Jeep Cherokee problems
The Jeep Cherokee, produced in 1986, is known for several common problems that affect its reliability. This article will explore these issues in detail, focusing on engine stalls, transmission problems, and transmission-related recalls.
- Transmission Problems: The 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokee models, particularly the 2014 and 2015 models, suffer from transmission problems. These issues include stuck gears, poor throttle response, and rough coasting, as well as delayed downshifting and erratic behavior that causes Jeeps to switch between gears unexpectedly.
- Transmission-Related Recalls: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) has issued recalls for certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee models due to a stuck transmission clutch, which may cause the transmission to shift to neutral unexpectedly, compromising the driver's safety on the road.
In summary, the Jeep Cherokee, particularly the 1986 model, has faced various issues, including engine stalls, transmission problems, and transmission-related recalls. These problems can significantly impact the vehicle's reliability and safety, affecting the driving experience for many owners.
What is the biggest problem with Jeep Cherokee?
Some of the common issues that plague the Jeep Cherokee include engine stalls, transmission problems, and transmission-related recalls.
Which year Jeep Cherokee is most reliable?
FAQs: Most Reliable Jeep Grand Cherokee Years
A: The most reliable years for the Jeep Grand Cherokee are 2013, 2019, 1995, and 2008. These models have demonstrated robust performance and durability, making them excellent choices for reliability.
How long do older Jeep Cherokees last?
Though some Cherokees have driven over 300,000 miles, most drivers should expect to see very serious problems begin to pile up at about 175,000 miles. Early generations of the Cherokee seemed to experience longer lifespans than their modern counterparts.
Are 2nd gen Jeep Cherokees reliable?
What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (1984–2001) Cherokee? Cherokee owners have made 137 complaints about the 1984–2001 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 3rd out of 18 Jeep generations in overall reliability , with some electrical and engine concerns.
What is the main problem on a Jeep Cherokee?
Some of the common issues that plague the Jeep Cherokee include engine stalls, transmission problems, and transmission-related recalls.
What year is bad for Jeep Cherokee?
Cherokees from 2014 and 2015 are the vehicle's worst years. These have many recalls and complaints, most regarding critical powertrain components. The best years for the Jeep Cherokee include those from 2018 and 2020. These have fewer problems and have the highest owner ratings.
Is Jeep Cherokee high maintenance?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Jeep Cherokee is $520, compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.
Which year Jeep Cherokee is most reliable?
A: The most reliable Jeep Grand Cherokee model years are generally considered to be 1998, 1999, 2005, 2017, and 2018. These years are favored for their strong on- and off-road capabilities, engine performance, fuel economy balance, and modern amenities.
1986 Jeep Cherokee car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jeep Cherokee problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Jeep Cherokee vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Jeep Cherokee complaints
The NHTSA has received 22 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Jeep Cherokee.
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-11-13
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1JCHX7718GT
- Components: STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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 CRAZY ONCE I REACH SPEEDS OVER 35MPH. IT GOES WELL PASS THE 85MPH MARK AND BACK DOWN TO 15MPH AND BOUNCE ALL BETWEEN. THE VEHICLE IS SO OUT OF ALIGNMENT ITS DANGEROUS. ALL THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE BEEN RUSTED THROUGH ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE SEATS. THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD IS 1/2 MISSING, AND ALL FLOOR BOARDS ARE EXTREMELY WEEK.THE DRIVER SIDE HAS A POP-RIVETED FLOORBOARD IN AND IS VERY STRONG BUT THE BOTTOM HAS BEEN RUSTED THROUGH SHOWING THE BOTTOM OF IT,AND THE SIDES HAVE RUSTED THROUGH WHOLES. WHEN I SAT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT TO REPLACE THE RADIO,I WAS FORCED TO REMOVE THE CARPET TO INSTALL A NEW GROUND.PART OF THE FLOORBOARD FELL OUT CUTTING VERY DEEP INTO MY LEG.THE FLOORBOARDS WERE BEARING MY WEIGHT WITH NO ADDED FORCE WHATSOEVER. WHEN I REMOVED THE REST OF THE CARPET I WAS DISTRAUGHT TO SEE HOW RUSTED THE FLOOR PANELS WERE AND TO WHAT EXTENT.I INSPECTED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CLOSER,AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS IN VERY POOR SHAPE AND RUSTED THROUGH ALSO. THE WHOLE EXHAUST FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADERS TO THE VERY BACK OF THE EXHAUST, HAS BEEN RUSTED AND THE MUFFLER BROKE OFF JUST BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER. ON THE WAY THE FRAME IN THE REAR NEAR THE GAS TANK,IS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRAME WHERE THE TOWING BRACKETS ARE BOLTED ON HAS BROKE AND PEELED LIKE A BANANA AND HANGS LOOSE SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FRAME BY AT LEAST 1/4" - 1/2". VERY POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP IN THE MAKING OF AN OFFROAD VEHICLE LIKE THIS.I AM A CERTIFIED WELDER AND WELD PROFESSIONALLY BUT THIS WILL TAKE A MONTH TO REPAIR AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THESE SAFETY ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-04
- VIN: 1JCWL7816GP
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER BRAKES BOOSTER . HARD TO STOP VEHICLE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-01
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE HAVING NEW TIRES PUT ON MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BACK BRAKES WERE DOWN TO RIVETS, AND WILL START TEARING INTO THE DRUMS. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS WHY VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID VERY BADLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-12
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: IN COLD WEATHER FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FELL APART. DEALER HAS REPAIRED SEAT BELT TWICE, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *AK CONSUMER EXAMINED PIECES IN QUESTION AND FOUND THAT THEY CONTAINED PLASTIC PARTS AND IS QUESTIONING HOW PLASTIC COULD BE STRONG IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: FILL IN
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT COVER BROKE OFF WHILE IT WAS BEING USED. REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT ALSO BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO LATCH IT. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS INFORMED BUCKLE WAS REPAIRABLE. *AK
STEERING,SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-30
- VIN: 1JCWB7848GT
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION
- Summary: ONGOING STEERING PROBLEM REPORTED BY PREVIOUS OWNER & EXPERIENCED BY PRESENT OWNER; STEERING WANDER, ESP. AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, ALL PARTS UNDAMAGED OR REPLACED INC. TIE RODS, STRUTS, SHOCKS, BUSHINGS, ETC...; ALIGNMENT TO SPECS WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-02
- VIN: 1JTWW6611GT
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: CONSUMER HAS A 1986 JEEP COMANCHE WITH 19,000 ON REAR TIRES & 24,000 ON FRONT TIRES, CENTER OF THE TIRE WAS SEPARATING, FIRESTONE FR360 P215/75R15, FIRESTONE DEALER DIDN'T PRORATE TIRES BECAUSE OF WEAR.*AK *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-01
- VIN: 1JCWB7818GT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BOTH MY RIGHT SEAT BELTS HAVE BROKE AND NO LONGER WORK. MY FRONT RIGHT BROKE WHILE I ,THE OWNER ,WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IF AN ACCIDENT HAD OCCUR I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND WOULDN'T WANT HER BELT TO BREAK WHILE I AM DRIVING. I FEEL THE MANUFACTOR SHOULD REPLACE ALL MY SEAT BELTS FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE EVEN NOTICED MY DRIVER SEAT BELT LOCK COMING APART SLOWLY.T
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- VIN: 1JCWC7814GT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: FEMALE END OF SEAT BELT SYSTEM (LT&RT)DISINTIGRATED AND CAN'T BE FIXED. I AM AFRAID THAT IN AN EMERGENCY, THE MECHANISM WON'T BE ABLE TO BE RELEASED. DOES THE MANUFACTURER NEED TO REPLACE THESE SAFETY DEVICES??
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-19
- Crash: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE TRYING TO PUT ON BRAKES VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. CONSUMER SAID CAR WENT INTO A DITCH. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-11
- VIN: 1JCW7823GT1
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: DRIVER HEARD A POP AT 50 MPH, AND WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND SLIP TO A STOP. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE WHEEL AND AXLE HAD COME OFF THE VEHICLE AND COME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-28
- Number Of Injuries: 3
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1JCWO7722GT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE HIT FIRST VEHICLE HEAD-ON, SEAT BELT SPLIT AT BOTTOM. FOUR PEOPLE WERE IN VEHICLE AND 3 WERE INJURED AND ONE WAS KILLED. TRYING TO FIND OUT THE DEFECT OF SEAT BELT THAT CAUSED IT TO SPLIT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-05-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1JCCE87E36T
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE TWICE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-27
- VIN: 1JCHS73K9GT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE ENGINE IDLES VERY HIGH. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 4 OUT OF 5 FEMALE SEATBELT COUPLINGS FAILED/PLASTIC COVERS BREAK AND RECEPTICAL FALLS APART. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MECHANISM HAS FALLEN APART. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-13
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FAILURE, PLASTIC BELT BUCKLES ARE BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELTS. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT FASTENERS FAIL CONTINUALLY.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-22
- VIN: 1JCWB7846GT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RED RELEASE BUTTON HAS BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1989-06-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1JCWC7821GT
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: REAR TAILGATE POPPED OPEN IN A REAR COLLISION , EJECTING CONSUMER 80FT. TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- VIN: 1JCHL7720GT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SKD
1986 Jeep Cherokee recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the 1986 Jeep Cherokee.
- Manufacturer: DOPE, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: SABERSPORT
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: PEDAL MISAPPLICATION BY A DRIVER CAN CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Jeep Cherokee problems:
1986 Cherokee 2.5L Ignition Problem (Dead) - Jeep Cherokee Forum
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