1985 Jeep Cherokee
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Jeep Cherokee is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1985 Jeep Cherokee at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1985 Jeep Cherokee recalls 7
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. DRIVERS CAN MISTAKENLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THEY INTEND TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THESE VEHICLES.
BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM RESERVOIR CANISTERS MAY DEVELOP LEAKS DUE TO BUMPER IMPACT.
Fix: REPLACE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CANNISTERS WITH NEW TYPE CANNISTERS; ALSO, INSTALL A RESTRICTION ORIFICE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT VACUUM IN EVENT CANNISTER LEAKAGE OCCURS.
Fix: THE DEALER WILL HAVE THE MODULE PROPERLY SECURED IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BOLT ON STEERING SHAFT ALLOWS THE CONNECTOR ON THE SHAFT TO SLIP. STEERING MOVEMENTS WILL NOT BE TRANSMITTED TO THE GEAR BOX.
Fix: THE VEHICLE WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE UPPER PINCH BOLT WILL BE TIGHTENED IF NECESSARY AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1985 Jeep Cherokee common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1985 Jeep Cherokee MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 24 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1985 Jeep Cherokee costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Jeep Cherokee — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR Closed
===
NHTSA #PE89151 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1989 · closed Dec 1989ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
ANALYSIS: MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE. TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS…
NHTSA #EA88009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Nov 1987 · closed Jan 1990ELEC. REAR WINDOW Closed
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLAINTS AND ODI EXAMINATION OF VEHICLES SUGGESTS THATIMPINGEMENT OF THE TAILGATE LOCK DUST COVER AGAINST THE KEY MAY EITHERINDUCE OR CONTINUE UNINTENDED UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE TAILGATE WINDOW.STATUS: CHRYSLER RECALLED BY LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 19, 1987. HOWEVER,WE BELIEVE THAT THE SELF EXAMINATION CALLED FOR IN THE RECALL NOTICE DOESNOT MEET WITH THE INTENT OF THE LAW. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO…
NHTSA #EA88005 · Visibility · opened Oct 1987 · closed Mar 1989FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK Closed
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
NHTSA #PE88001 · Power Train · opened Oct 1987 · closed Jan 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 3
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC
Bulletin 2302602 · Structure · Jun 2002SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC
Bulletin 98733 · Power Train · Dec 1997REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW
Bulletin 231693 · Latches/locks/linkages · Mar 1993Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CHEROKEE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Jeep Cherokee. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
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 ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: BRAKE VACUUM TANKS WHICH ARE MORE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING BUMPER IMPACT WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VE…
Transport Canada #1989030 · Mar 1989Not Entered
THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT UPPER PINCH BOLT. THIS CONDITION COULD POSSIBLE RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Transport Canada #1984139 · Nov 1984Not 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 DRIVER HAS REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Transport Canada #1984141 · Nov 1984Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) manufactured and marketed by Jeep over six generations. Marketed initially as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer (SJ), the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size station wagon to one of the first compact SUVs and into its latest generation as a crossover SUV.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.