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1993 Jeep Cherokee Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1993 Jeep Cherokee has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Door hinge and weld separation.” Jeep vehicles use the Oil Change Indicator system to signal when oil is due. Wrangler and Gladiator owners who actually use 4WD off-road should treat the schedule below as Schedule A (severe) — water crossings, sand, and rock crawling demand differential and transfer case service at half the published intervals. Grand Cherokee and Cherokee follow the standard Mopar schedule.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1993 Jeep Cherokee.

Reported to NHTSA

Door hinge and weld separation

STRUCTURE

39 NHTSA complaints · 1998-07 → 2018-09

“THE DRIVER'S DOOR HINGES CAME OFF THE BODY OF THE JEEP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGES ARE ALSO LOOSE. IT LOOKS TO BE FAULTY WELDING ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTORER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11129718
“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HINGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BROKE OFF AND THE DOOR WAS NOT ABLE TO CLOSE ANY MORE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *MR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8019676
“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE BROKE, CAUSING DOOR TO FALL COMPLETELY OFF. DOOR HINGES WERE WELDED BACK TOGETHER , AND DOOR DID NOT NOT FULLY CLOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #881956

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle latch failure

SEAT BELTS

5 NHTSA complaints · 1999-12 → 2001-01

“BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO LATCH MECHANISM,CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #877765
“SEATBELT BUCKLE IS DEFECTIVE. BUCKLE MAY SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS LOCKED. BUT WITH MOVEMENT, BUCKLE BECOMES UNLOCKED AND WILL NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #717137
“WHILE DRIVING LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED FROM THE LOCKING MECHANISM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #860600

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread and sidewall failure

TIRES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2015-12

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10033779
“TREAD SEPARATION - TREAD CAME OFF TIRE INTACT, SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALL AND INNER FABRIC. PICTURES TAKEN OF TIRE AT LOCATION. CURRENTLY HAVE TIRE AT HOME FOR INSPECTION. GOODYEAR TIRE COMPANY CONTACTED AND A REPORT FILED AT DEALERSHIP IN ST. GEORGE, UT., FILE #417110”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #730253
“TIRE SIZE 22575R15AT WITH 23,000 MILES ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1993 JEEP CHEROKEE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT REAR RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. CONSUMER TOOK TIRE TO TIRE SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT TIRE WAS SPLIT DOWN AND WAS DRY ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE AT ONLY 23,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #874594

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shifting or leaving gear unexpectedly

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2001-07 → 2002-10

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND RUNNING WITHOUT ANY PASSENGERS, VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND ROLLED DOWN INTO A TREE.*AK *SLC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #894641
“WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT/SIGN WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AFTERWARDS. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT DUE TO BACK SHIFTING INTO ANOTHER GEAR ON INTERSTATE WHILE GOING 65MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #894077
“WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT WOULD SHIFT BY ITSELF INTO REVERSE. LEVER DOES NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WOULD THEN MOVE BACKWARDS IF FOOT IS OFF BRAKES.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #893363

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake rotor separation from hub

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

17 NHTSA complaints · 1998-09 → 2003-01

“LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR BROKE/SEPARATED AROUND THE HUB. DRIVER WAS JUST ABOUT TO ENTER INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. *AK CONSUMER STATES ROTOR SEPARATION CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. *YH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8018473
“WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTORS SEPARATED FROM THE HUB, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SEVERELY PULL TO THE RIGHT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #827530
“BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BROKE IN TWO AT THE SAME TIME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE NO BRAKING ABILITY. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #839466

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden acceleration after shifting gear

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-07 → 2007-04

“WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, ,DRIVER PUT GEAR INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, RUNNING THROUGH A HOUSE . DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE THROUGHOUT THE INCIDENT, AND EVEN TRIED TO PUMP BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #856170
“WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF SUDDENLY AND HIT A TREE. NOONE HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE. *AK WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE, FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND SLIDING, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *YH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #870112
“AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT TWO TREES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #843798

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or shutoff while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 NHTSA complaints · 1998-12 → 2004-02

“VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-60 MPH, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON NINE OCCASIONS, DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR.*JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #895902
“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10031621
“WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CONTINUE TO WORK AS UNUSAL. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE FOR ENGINE FAILURE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #881551

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front-end wobble after hitting bumps

STEERING, SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2018-08

“MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE DEATH WOBBLE BECAUSE OF THE OEM STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11119502
“HITTING BUMPS AT 55 MPH SENDS VEHICLE INTO UNCONTROLLABLE FRENZY. CANNOT CONTROL VEHICLE, MUST SLAM ON BRAKES AND PRACTICALLY COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO REGAIN CONTROL. I KNOW THOUSANDS OF JEEPS SUFFER THIS "DEATH WOBBLE" PLEASE DO SOMETHING. *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10585650
“HITTING SOME BUMPS IN ROAD MAKES THE JEEP SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHERE YOU START TO LOSE CONTROL. HAVE TO PUT BRAKES ON AND TRY TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLEY TO KEEP CONTROL.THIS IS A 1993 .ALSO HAD A 1996 IT WAS THE SAME WAY.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10088991

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 8,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: SAE 0W-20 every 8,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: SAE 5W-20 every 8,000 miles. EcoDiesel 3.0L: 10,000 miles. 4xe plug-in hybrid: 8,000 miles or annually.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate tires every 8,000 miles. Wrangler with 33+ inch off-road tires: rotate every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from solid axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 8,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 8,000 miles. Wrangler and Gladiator pads wear faster than Grand Cherokee due to higher curb weight per axle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace front differential fluid every 60,000 miles. Wrangler off-road use (water crossings, sand): inspect every 30,000 miles for water contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Rear axle fluid every 60,000 miles. Limited-slip differentials require Mopar friction modifier. Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials: same schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 for NV3500 and NV245. Wrangler Rock-Trac: 60,000 mi normal, 30,000 mi with regular off-road use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. Wrangler off-road use accelerates moisture intake — annual fluid testing recommended.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

Severe service: ZF 8HP fluid every 60,000 miles. Normal: 120,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 — never substitute.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Wrangler driven in dust or sand: inspect at every oil change and replace early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: 16 spark plugs total, replace at 100,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: 16 plugs at 100,000 miles. EcoDiesel: glow plug inspection only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Mopar HOAT Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Mopar HOAT (purple) for gas engines: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolants.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Compass: behind the glove box. Wrangler/Gladiator: optional cabin filter on later models only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

709 crashes 1990–2024

How the 709 occupant deaths break down

494

driver deaths

214

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

709

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1992 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

53

complaints mentioning a crash

14

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1993 Jeep Cherokee reflects Jeep's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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