Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes failed to respond when the pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the air bags had a delayed deployment. A police report was filed. The contact sustained some broken ribs and injuries to the neck, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 99V340000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 95V057000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 294,000. Updated 08/02/16
I acquired this vehicle specifically because it had 4-wheel anti-lock brakes. A few weeks ago, for the first time, I had to perform a "hard brake" to avoid hitting three deer. Much to my surprise, I had "hard pedal" but virtually no brakes! I narrowly avoided oncoming traffic and limped into my driveway. Noone could understand how I could have hard pedal without brakes. (all relays proved to be okay.) I had the car towed to a local tire dealer to see if they could determine what was wrong. They were astonished to find that both rotors had separated from their hubs as the result of the hard brake. They advised that they thought it had to be a defect in the metal and advised me to take it to my local Jeep dealer, cooper motors, in stevens point, wisconsin. …
In April 2000 my vehicle was taken to triboro in response to the recall that called for the rotors to be replaced. In September 2000 I returned the vehicle to triboro a unrelated repair and was informed that the brakes and rotors needed replacement. Upon returning home we realized that the rotors were "alledgedly new" however a brake repair shop related that the rotors appear to be old and not the new coated rotors required under the recall. Upon contact with triboro and having them check their computer to confirm the "new rotors" we were told that we probably wore them out with bad pads. We tryed to reason with them in regards to the unlikelihood of new rotors needing replacement after only 10,000 miles, but they were un yielding. …
While on vacation we suddenly lost our front brakes on both sides of our Jeep Cherokee sport. When a local mechanic looked at it, he discovered that both front rotors had rusted and completely separated from themselves. The flat larger part that the brake pads clings to, were not attached to the smaller part that the wheel is hooked to. Luckily we were able to stop the vehicle with the emergency brake and were unhurt. The mechanic said that he had never seen both rotors go at the same time. Upon questioning the dealership where we bought the vehicle, they relunctently said that there was a recall, but people were not notified. After searching your sight, I found such a recall, but for older models. Our's is a 1995 Jeep Cherokee and we could have been killed by such a safety hazard. We are currently trying to come to some resolution with the dealership, regarding our repair bill. …
Dt: the contact noticed on September 30, 2005 a customer brought in a 1995 Jeep Cherokee. The rotors came apart in two pieces which was not due to wear. The contact was an automobile technician for thirty years. There was no warning or noise prior. Put brakes on this vehicle about a year or so ago. This was not something one could see happening. . The metal was so thin that after a period of time it just came apart and was just from normal braking. When it came apart apart it put all of the pressure on the other brake which wason one brake. This will cause the steering wheel to jerk and could cause the vehicle to flip.
I have been having numerous problems with front end, tried numerous cures, and am still having same problem. While driving, the front end will begin to shake, when I slow down to 30-35mph, it will go away. It is not a constant problem, but will happen at least once a day. I have replaced front rotors due to excessive vibration while driving. The dealer has replaced several times, had an independent change this time. Now am experiencing a constant noise from front end.
Structure, door : both doors have cracked welds where top & bottom hinges attach to chassis. Engine : bolts attaching right side motor mounts to engine sheared off (dealer implied factory support, demanded payment after work completed). Brakes disc : brake rotors rusted out well before 3 year, 36,000 warranty, dealer denied coverage. Brake rotors later subject to inspection & replace as needed recall, except owner repairs prior to recall not covered!
Consumer received recall (99v-340) for brake rotors. Vehicle was taken to durocher Jeep Eagle dealership. Consumer received invoice saying work was done. Took vehicle to mechanic to have new pads put on, and they pointed out that there was cracking around the hub. Consumer called Jeep manufacturer to complain, and was told to talk to the service manager & if that didn't work, to call the owner of the durocher dealership.
Consumer experienced problems with engine mount bolts. While driving engine dropped due to engine mount failure. Three of the bolts were missing. The manufacturer has been contacted in accordance with investigation number 1e96100. *akthe three bolts holding the engine to the right motor mount broke off allowing the engine to twist and drop. Consumer was not notified of the parking brake recall #95v-172.
Springs popped out from the emergency parking brake, causing emergency parking brake to become inoperable. Also, when consumer applied the brakes vehicle won't slow down, and consumer had to keep pushing hard on the brakes. In addition, the fuel injection "o"-rings leaked. Consumer kept having different problems with vehicle, and the dealer couldn't determine the problem.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical
The parking brake handle release button can separate from the parking brake handle assembly, causing the parking brake to be inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking brake handle assembly.
NHTSA investigations
Brake rotor disc/hub separation
Chrysler conducted a safety recall, 98v-005, on January 5, 1998, involving approximately 225,000 1993 grand cherokee, 1990-91 cherokee, wrangler and comanchee, and 1989-91 Eagle premier and Dodge monaco.the front disc brake rotors of these vehicles May experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the salt belt states.owners in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachuset, maryland,…
Brake roter disc/hud separation
There is no summary currently available
Brake complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Jeep Cherokee, 15% of the model year's 608 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Jeep Cherokee brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-340 (rotor, Dec 13, 1999); NHTSA recall 95V-172 (mechanical, Sep 12, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Jeep Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 294,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.