Complaints
26
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#18 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
#22 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
#31 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Jeep Cherokee Years
1986 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Jeep Cherokee has 26 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (8 complaints); Unintended Acceleration (2 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee include 3 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Jeep Cherokee as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Jeep Cherokee?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Jeep Cherokee
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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