Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1975 Cherokee.
The 1975 Jeep Cherokee is the focal model year of this overview, yet it predates the model’s recorded complaint history, which runs from 1990 to 2026, placing it outside that documented reliability window entirely. Within that dataset, the Cherokee line reached its highest complaint volume at 2,636 in 2014 and its lowest at just 3 in 2023, figures that reflect model years far removed from 1975. That separation means the 1975 model’s reliability profile must be assessed independently of the later arc, with the steep decline from the 2014 peak to the 2023 low representing the nameplate’s modern trajectory rather than any indicator of this earlier vehicle’s service record.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 183.9 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 65.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3675 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Cherokee of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | S 2-door 5.9L V8 | 13.80 sec | 18.36 sec | 175 hp | 4x4 |
| 1977 | Chief 4.2L I-6 | 18.40 sec | 21.20 sec | 110 hp | 4x4 |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
Remedy:
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.