1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems

Owners of the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 5

Jeep Grand Cherokee 1989: 3D model with the “Service brakes” area highlighted — the most complained-about component — Yellow marks the “Service brakes” area, the component owners complain about most for this year. Illustrative only. 3D model: David_Holiday, CC Attribution.

What fails most often

1 Service brakes 40% of all complaints
2 Engine 20% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
4 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
6 Steering 20% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Service brakes: 2 complaints (40% of all).
Engine: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 40%
steering or power steering problems2 · 40%
headlights and tail lights1 · 20%
vibration1 · 20%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Service brakes	2	0	0
Engine	1	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Powertrain	1	0	0
Steering	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

Catalic converter recall electric recall coolant temp circuit recall occurred while I was driving on the road I will not test it on freeway with all the severe systoms happening with my jeep been smoking from engine something with my coolant and temp circuit input my headlights electric system period been completely…
Engine · 2019-05-28 · NHTSA complaint #11210343
When brakes are applied vehicle vibrates. Dealer has resurfaced brakes twice, but problem has reoccurred. Please provide further information.
Service brakes · 2002-02-21 · NHTSA complaint #8004338
While driving 60 mph, the power steering unit fell out of the vehicle, causing the steering wheel to lock up.
Steering · 1999-08-20 · NHTSA complaint #843425
Exhaust fire, catalytic converter system caught on fire while vehicle was parked. Not the owner, but insurance co reported the fire.
Engine and cooling · 1997-01-06 · NHTSA complaint #807102
Abs recall done, abs actuator makes loud sound when brakes are applied. Tt
Service brakes · 1995-02-06 · NHTSA complaint #959626

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19951
19971
19991
20021
20191

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand Cherokee has 730 complaints (40 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.

What to check before buying

Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (40%), steering or power steering problems (40%), headlights and tail lights (20%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1989 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.