1981 Jeep Cherokee recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. 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 1981 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.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY.
What could happen:
The fix: EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.
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 1981 CHEROKEE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Jeep dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V015000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY.
Consequence:
Remedy: EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES ANDAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE CONDITION CHARACTERIZED BY THESLOWER THAN NORMAL RETURN TO IDLE MAY REQUIRE GREATER STOPPING DISTANCES.INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IF THE CONDITION IS EXPERIENCED BEFORE THE DEFECT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THEVEHICLE SHOULD BE CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seats (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)
05/06/2002 · Seats
WHEN INSTALLING THIS AFTERMARKET SEAT SLIDER, THE FIRST BOLT TIGHTENED TWISTED OFF SO EASILY IT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN THE EQUIVALENT OF A GRADE#1 BOLT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION OR ROLLOVER., THE SEAT WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE SLIDER ALLOWING THE OCCUPANT TO BE THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ITEM WOULD FAIL IN A SIMPLE ROLLOVER FROM THE…