JeepCherokee19952.5L L4/jeep/cherokee/1995/2-5l-l4/
XJ platform

1995 Jeep Cherokee — 2.5L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Cherokee 2.5L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.5L L4.

Body SUVEngine 2.5L L4Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1995 Jeep Cherokee 2.5L L4 is an XJ‑platform SUV powered by a 2.5‑liter inline‑four paired with a three‑speed automatic transmission. It returns 15 city, 17 highway and 16 combined mpg and requires 4 quarts of 10W‑30 or 5W‑30 API oil with filter. Owner reports show 670 total complaints, with structural issues leading the list and 11 recalls issued for the model year. Across the 1990‑2026 span, the 1995 year sits well below the 2014 peak of 2,636 complaints but above the 2023 low of three, indicating a mid‑range complaint level for the Cherokee line.

Model year200019991998199719961995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/17/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 58 · 430 CCA battery, 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 Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 58 · 430 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

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

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.4 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight2877 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 17 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1995 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.00 sec — 1998 SE
125 hpHorsepower (as tested)
145 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998SE 2.5L I-412.00 sec18.60 sec125 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 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.9 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints,
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque27.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number58
Standard BCI Cranking Performance430 cca
Optional BCI Group Number58

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Engine Compression120-150 PSI. 30 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure25-35 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch REAR DRUMS
Torque to Knuckle7-15 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Brake ApplicationWITH 10 inch REAR DRUMS
Drum Runout Limit0.008 in
Drum Nominal Diameter10 in / 9 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.06 in / 9.06 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Coat threads of bolt 7 with sealant

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
245 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
3bolts 1-6110 ft. lbs

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 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Bands (adjust) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
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.

The 1995 Jeep Cherokee sits within a broader upward trend of federal records, where complaints and TSBs steadily climbed from 1990 through the end of the decade. With 670 complaints and 11 recalls, the 1995 model shows an increase over the 585 complaints and 9 recalls seen in 1994, though it remains significantly lower than the 1,516 complaints reported for 1997. For this specific year, the most frequent complaints centered on Structure (144) and Engine & Engine Cooling (129), with 103 crash complaints and 10 fire complaints also recorded. The data does not specify the root causes for these issues, but the 34 TSBs and 9 investigations for 1995 represent a moderate increase compared to the early 1990s. Because this year precedes the substantial spike in complaints and technical bulletins seen from 1997 onward, it is a relatively good year to buy.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
34
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
9
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
670
Owner complaints
103 involved a crash · 10 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 670 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure144
Engine & Engine Cooling129
Service Brakes, Hydraulic73
Vehicle Speed Control72
Power Train40
Air Bags36
Electrical System34
Seat Belts16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 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 34 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 1995 Cherokee 2.5L L4 take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 0 degrees F 10W-30 API, BELOW 32 degreesF 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L L4 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 17 highway / 16 combined mpg.