1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints5

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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.

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Exterior Lighting

Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

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 CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Bulletin 2300800B · Seats · Nov 2000

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the GRAND CHEROKEE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-sized sport utility vehicles produced by American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the start.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles on record

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee1J4FJ58L7KL582144

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee1JEMT785EKT455530

Other Jeep Grand Cherokee model years

1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1989 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

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

Across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, power train.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.