JeepCherokee1989Overview/jeep/cherokee/1989/base/

1989 Jeep Cherokee

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Cherokee.

The 1989 Jeep Cherokee, representing the early years of the XJ platform that would continue for over a decade, requires 4 quarts of engine oil with filter and specifies viscosity grades of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-40 meeting API standards for maintenance. With 265 total owner complaints recorded across the model's production history and 6 safety recalls issued, the Cherokee's reliability trajectory reveals a telling pattern when placed in historical context—while later model years saw complaint volumes climb to 2,636 in 2014, the 1989 model year sits near the low end of this spectrum, suggesting the early production vehicles established a comparatively more trouble-free foundation than some subsequent years, though brake-related concerns emerged as the primary complaint category throughout the model's run.

Model year202620232022202120201991199019891988

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight2866 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 57.1 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

8.2–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1997 Sport I-6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1990Laredo I-6 4.0L I-610.50 sec17.70 sec177 hp4x4
1996Sport I-6 4.0L I-68.30 sec16.40 sec190 hp4x4
1997Sport I-6 4.0L I-68.20 sec16.30 sec190 hp4x4
1997Sport I-6 4.0L I-69.10 sec16.90 sec190 hp4x4
1997Sport I-6 4.0L I-610.20 sec17.60 sec190 hp4x4
1998SE 2.5L I-412.00 sec18.60 sec125 hp4x4
1999Sport I-6 4.0L I-68.90 sec16.90 sec190 hp4x4
1999Sport I-6 4.0L I-69.40 sec17.00 sec190 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 52,500 mi; coolant every 22,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 22,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level)
Every 22,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBands (adjust) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect)
Every 52,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 82,500 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1989 Jeep Cherokee represents the earliest model year in this dataset, with federal records commencing in 1990. Its top complaint areas include service brakes hydraulic (94 reports), vehicle speed control (38), engine cooling (18), and fuel system (15), alongside 12 crash and 19 fire complaints. By comparison, 1990 recorded 364 total complaints, 9 recalls, and 6 investigations, suggesting 1989's brake-related issues may be a notable early concern. Across the generation, complaint volumes rise sharply after 1993, peaking in 2014–2015, while recalls remain relatively stable and TSBs escalate dramatically. The 1989 model falls at the start of this arc, indicating potential for early-production brake and speed control defects that were addressed in later years. Buyers should prioritize thorough brake system inspection and verify recall completion, making this a conditional purchase pending those checks.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
20
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
265
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 19 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 265 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic94
Vehicle Speed Control38
Engine & Engine Cooling18
Fuel System, Gasoline15
Electrical System15
Structure9
Power Train8
Seat Belts8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 20 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-014-152015-04-23EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child…
23026022002-06-10StructureSUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2300800B2000-11-24SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Cherokee take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 30 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-40 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.