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Jeep Cherokee

1997-2001 models

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Marginal

Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Marginal Good Good Poor Acceptable Marginal

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Acceptable Marginal Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Jeep Cherokee was introduced in the 1984 model year. Frontal airbags for both the driver and passenger became standard beginning with the 1997 model year.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. There was far too much upward movement of the steering wheel, which contributed to the dummy's head bottoming out the airbag and hitting the steering wheel.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on both tibias indicate that injuries to the lower left leg would be likely and injuries to the lower right leg would be possible. Head acceleration from the steering wheel hit was low.

Left to right:

  • Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
  • The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test, together with the footwell intrusion, indicate that the driver space wasn't maintained well.
  • Upward movement of the steering wheel contributed to the dummy's head bottoming out the airbag and hitting the wheel.
  • Intrusion into the footwell area caused separation of the floor, which trapped the dummy's left foot under the brake pedal and contributed to high crash forces near the ankle.

Additional features:

  • Antilock brakes (optional)

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4wd
  • Class: Small SUV
  • Weight: 3,479 lbs.
  • Side airbags: none
  • Wheelbase: 101 in.
  • Length: 168 in.
  • Width: 68 in.
  • Engine: 4.0 L 6-cylinder
  • EPA ratings: 15 mpg city | 20 mpg highway

See all test results for Jeep Cherokee

Last updated: September 2, 2005

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