Complaints
72
Crashes
4
Fires
7
Injuries
8
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1987 Jeep Cherokee Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:280,000 mi
Crash-related:1
#25 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Fires:1
#35 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1987 Jeep Cherokee.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 1 | — | 280,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | — | — |
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
280,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1987 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Jeep Cherokee Years
1987 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1987 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1987 Jeep Cherokee has 72 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1987 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (12 complaints, avg 280,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (5 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1987 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 280,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1987 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 1987 Jeep Cherokee include 4 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 8 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 1987 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1987 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 1987 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 1987 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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