1980 Jeep Cherokee recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. INCORRECT HEADLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR EXPORT ONLY AND DO NOT MEET U.S. REQUIREMENTS.
What could happen:
The fix: THE RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLAMPS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 CHEROKEE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V239000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: INCORRECT HEADLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR EXPORT ONLY AND DO NOT MEET U.S. REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLAMPS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: JEEPS.SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS; HEADLAMPS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: USE OF HEADLAMPS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO U.S. STANDARDSWOULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. A DAMAGED BEARING COULD RESULT IN AXLE AND WHEEL DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH SEALS, RETAINER RINGS AND PLATES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 CHEROKEE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V023000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Summary: THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. A DAMAGED BEARING COULD RESULT IN AXLE AND WHEEL DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ALONG WITH SEALS, RETAINER RINGS AND PLATES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES AND TRUCKS.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; WHEEL BEARINGS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL,WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: THE DAMAGE TO THE REAR WHEEL BEARING MAY BE PRECEDED BY A NOISE EVIDENTTO THE VEHICLE DRIVER. HIGH SPEED DRIVING, HARD CORNERING AND HEAVY LOADINGSHOULD BE AVOIDED UNTIL AXLE SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED.
3. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.
What could happen: WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 CHEROKEE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V178000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Summary: THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.
Consequence: WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
Notes: SYSTEM: TAILGATE WINDOWVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER TAILGATEWINDOW.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
09/01/2000 · Wheels / tires
THE TREAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.( DOT NUMBER: VD60AXC433 TIRE SIZE: 50R15LT )