JeepCherokee19942.1L/jeep/cherokee/1994/2-1l/
XJ platform

1994 Jeep Cherokee — 2.1L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Cherokee 2.1L.

Body SUVEngine 2.1L

The 1994 Jeep Cherokee 2.1L is an SUV built on the XJ platform and powered by a 2.1-liter engine, with routine oil service calling for 6 quarts including the filter across 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-40 API viscosity grades. Owner-reported reliability data records 585 complaints for this model year, with structure cited as the top concern and 9 recalls on file. Viewed against the broader 1990–2026 Cherokee complaint history, which peaked at 2,636 complaints in 2014 and bottomed at 3 in 2023, the 1994 model predates the line's later complaint surge and represents a comparatively early point in the XJ's documented ownership record.

Model year199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter53004383AC
Fuel filter33000076 discontinued
Spark plug68304020AA
Front wiper blades83505422 alt 55155650AB
Serpentine belt53010276 alt 53010269
Thermostat83501426AD alt 53020547AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.4 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight2881 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6 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 Capacity6 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidMS-5931

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 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Bands (adjust) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (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.

From 1990 to 1992 complaints fell from 364 to 166, then rose sharply to 517 in 1993 and 585 in 1994, placing the target year in the early phase of an upward trend that continued through 1995 (670 complaints). Recalls followed a similar pattern, dipping to 5 in 1992 before increasing to 9 in 1994 and 11 in 1995, while investigations peaked in 1993 at 15 then declined to 9 in both 1994 and 1995. Technical service bulletins grew steadily each year, reaching 29 in 1994 and 34 in 1995. The data does not specify the underlying causes for any of these complaints, recalls, or investigations. Consequently, the 1994 Jeep Cherokee shows higher reported issues than the early‑1990 models but lower than the later‑1990s spike, suggesting it is a moderate‑risk choice that‑year purchase only if a thorough pre‑buy inspection is conducted.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
29
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
9
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
585
Owner complaints
59 involved a crash · 13 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 585 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure206
Engine & Engine Cooling80
Service Brakes, Hydraulic60
Vehicle Speed Control37
Power Train35
Seat Belts29
Electrical System19
Tires12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V056000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 06/02/2008

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING 107 MY 1994-1998 RIGHT HAND DRIVE, 4-WHEEL DRIVE JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, 'CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS;' NO. 108, 'LAMPS… Remedy: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED…

11V279000Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsReported 06/05/2011

U.S. DRIVE RIGHT IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1994-1996 JEEP CHEROKEE VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM JANUARY 2007, THROUGH APRIL 2011 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS… Remedy: U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 29 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
23-014-152015-04-23EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child…
90028492014-09-03StructurePart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
90028492014-09-03EquipmentPart Description: Insulator on Lever Assy Manual Valve - Valve Body - RWD Transmission…
23026022002-06-10StructureSUBJECT REGARDING FLOOR PAN CORROSION. *SLC

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 1994 Cherokee 2.1L take?

6 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 1994 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.