Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Jeep Cherokee, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts6
- Structure2
- Seats2
- Tires2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Power train2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Unknown or other1
- Equipment1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the Netherlands
30 first registered in 1985 are on Dutch roads; 100% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm11
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen6
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot6
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast4
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse3
- CO meer dan wettelijk toegestaan3
- Tankdop (passende) ontbreekt2
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In New Zealand
1 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1985 Jeep Cherokee.
| 1989030 7 Mar 1989 | Brakes VEHICLES WITH 2.1 LITRE TURBO DIESEL ENGINES HAVE BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM TANKS WHICH MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT. SUCH LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER A… |
| 1984139 7 Nov 1984 | Not Entered THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT UPPER PINCH BOLT. THIS CONDITION COULD POSSIBLE RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. |
| 1984141 7 Nov 1984 | Not Entered THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN E-CELL TIMER UNIT INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.
IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT ON STEERING SHAFT ALLOWS THE CONNECTOR ON THE SHAFT TO SLIP. STEERING MOVEMENTS WILL NOT BE TRANSMITTED TO THE GEAR BOX.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jeep told its dealers about the 1985 Jeep Cherokee: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 633948 | SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC |
| 600604 | SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC |
| 39539 | REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ELEC. REAR WINDOW
FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation