Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Cherokee.
The 1984 Jeep Cherokee, identified in the overview as a midsize SUV from Jeep’s early‑generation lineup, uses a 4‑quart oil capacity with filter and accepts 20W‑40, 20W‑50, or 10W‑30 API‑rated oils, a flexibility that was notable for service intervals of its era. Although the model recorded only eight owner complaints and seven recalls overall, the most frequent issue cited by owners was seat‑belt hardware, a relatively minor concern in the broader context of its mechanical design. When situated within the model’s complaint history—spanning 1990 to 2026 and peaking at 2,636 complaints in 2014—the 1984 year stands at the low‑end of the reliability spectrum, indicating a comparatively robust early‑generation build that researchers can regard as a solid reference point for baseline durability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 165.4 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 64.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.6 in |
| Curb weight | 2921 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Laredo I-6 4.0L I-6 | 10.50 sec | 17.70 sec | 177 hp | 4x4 |
| 1996 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 8.30 sec | 16.40 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
| 1997 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 8.20 sec | 16.30 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
| 1997 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 16.90 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
| 1997 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 10.20 sec | 17.60 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
| 1998 | SE 2.5L I-4 | 12.00 sec | 18.60 sec | 125 hp | 4x4 |
| 1999 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 8.90 sec | 16.90 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
| 1999 | Sport I-6 4.0L I-6 | 9.40 sec | 17.00 sec | 190 hp | 4x4 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, Front: 75W- in the differential.
| Differential Gear Oil | Front: 75W- |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil | Front: 75W- |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt w/ filter |
| Engine Oil | 20W-40 · 20W-50 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-30 |
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.
The 1984 Cherokee, as the inaugural model year, shows a troubling long-term trend in federal data. Complaints escalated from 364 in 1990 to a peak of 2,113 in 1999, with a later resurgence to 2,636 in 2014, while recalls remained consistently high, reaching 14 in both 1997 and 1999. The top complaint areas—seat belts, engine and engine cooling, and vehicle speed control—along with one crash and one fire complaint, point to persistent safety and reliability concerns. This pattern suggests that the 1984 model year carried forward unresolved issues well into its service life, making it a riskier choice compared to later years that may have benefited from iterative fixes.
All 8 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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…
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2302602 | 2002-06-10 | Structure | SUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC |
| 98733 | 1997-12-01 | Power Train | SUBJECT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION #733--BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK. *YC |
| 231693 | 1993-03-01 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | REDESIGNED LIFTGATE LATCH. *TW |
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.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 30 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 OR 10W-40 API, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.