Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Renegade vs JEEP Cherokee
How the JEEP Renegade and JEEP Cherokee compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
JEEP Renegade vs JEEP Cherokee: The Renegade averages 245 complaints per year with 24 recalls, while the Cherokee averages 740 complaints per year with 59 recalls. The Cherokee also has more crash-related complaints (180 vs. 79). Both have zero deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Renegade or JEEP Cherokee more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Renegade
The Jeep Renegade is a subcompact SUV that averages about 245 complaints per year over nine years, with 24 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, including hard shifts, shuddering, and warning lights. While it has fewer complaints than the Cherokee, the issues can still be frustrating and costly.
JEEP Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV with a much higher complaint rate—about 740 per year over ten years—and 59 recalls. Power train complaints dominate, with reports of harsh jolts, rolling backwards, and sudden braking. Electrical and engine issues also appear, making it a higher-maintenance choice.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Renegade | JEEP Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,202 Better | 7,397 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 59 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 79 Better | 180 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 244.7 Better | 739.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 62 Better | 153 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
JEEP Renegade
- 01ENGINE850
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM616
- 03POWER TRAIN424
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER419
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM286
Owners report shuddering, lurching, and hesitation during acceleration, as well as difficulty starting. Some describe a loud bang from underneath during hard acceleration or turns, which could indicate a serious mechanical fault.
Complaints include false lane-keeping and blind-spot warnings that trigger on curves, and headlights or daytime running lights failing. These glitches can distract the driver and reduce visibility.
Reports include strong fuel odors, vehicle shutdowns, and loss of headlights. These issues can leave you stranded or create safety hazards while driving.
Owners mention fuel vapor odors inside and outside the vehicle, which may indicate a leak. This is a fire risk and should be addressed immediately.
“First NO WARNINGS Signs of Any Kind were shown at time of 1st & 3rd issues, 1st under hard acceleration or deceleration and sometimes while in turns under acceleration & deceleration you get a Large Bang from underneath the vehicle and it’s not only the sound…”
“The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty starting. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shuddered, lurched, and hesitated to res…”
JEEP Cherokee
- 01POWER TRAIN3,688
- 02ENGINE1,629
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,563
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,408
- 05SERVICE BRAKES465
Owners describe violent jolts when accelerating from a stop, rolling backwards, and sudden emergency braking at highway speeds. These failures can cause loss of control and have led to crashes.
Complaints include dropping fuel economy, excessive soot from the tailpipe, and sudden emergency braking with all lights flashing. These symptoms suggest engine or emissions problems that may be expensive to fix.
Reports include the vehicle suddenly stopping with alarms and error messages, and batteries dying after a few days. Such electrical faults can leave you stranded or cause dangerous stalls.
Some owners find the brake and gas pedals too close, causing their foot to scrape the brake when switching. This can lead to unintended braking or acceleration, increasing crash risk.
“on May 3 at approx. 4:00 pm I was sitting at a stop light and when it turned green I started to accelerate the jolt was so hard that I thought the car behind me had hit me.When I went to go again it started rolling backwards and I applied the brakes.I could n…”
“On [XXX], we were traveling from Seattle to Portland on [XXX] in my 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the cruise control set at around 75 mph. Suddenly the emergency collision braking system applied and all of the lights on my vehicle lit up. While the brakin…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
JEEP Renegade — 24 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Renegade vehicles. The incorrect bumper reverse light assembly may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, an…
The risk: The incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bumper reverse light assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this rec…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
The risk: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.
JEEP Cherokee — 59 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equ…
The risk: Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
The risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 29D. Vehicle Id…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
Buyer analysis
JEEP Renegade or JEEP Cherokee: which should you buy?
The Jeep Renegade has far fewer complaints per year (about 245) compared to the Cherokee (about 740). In practice, this means you are less likely to face frequent repairs with the Renegade, though both have notable issues. The Cherokee's higher rate suggests more owner frustration and potentially higher ownership costs.
Key differences
- The Cherokee has about three times as many complaints per year as the Renegade, with power train issues being the most common.
- Cherokee owners report violent jolts and sudden braking, while Renegade owners more often cite engine shuddering and electrical glitches.
- The Cherokee has 59 recalls versus 24 for the Renegade, covering power train and lighting systems.
- Both have zero reported deaths, but the Cherokee has more crash-related complaints (180 vs. 79) and injuries (153 vs. 62).
- During a test drive, listen for a loud bang from underneath during hard acceleration or turns—this could signal a power train or suspension problem.
- Check all exterior lights, including headlights and daytime running lights, for intermittent failures, as owners report these going out.
- Test the transmission at low speeds and from a stop; a harsh jolt or rolling backwards may indicate a serious power train defect.
- Pay attention to any sudden braking or dashboard warnings during the test drive, as owners report unexpected emergency braking and electrical shutdowns.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls were addressed, especially for power train and lighting issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for signs of shuddering, leaks, or unusual noises.
- Test all electrical features, including lane-keeping alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and lights, for proper function.
- Check for fuel odors around the vehicle, which could indicate a leak in the fuel system.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any outstanding recalls have been repaired.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | JEEP Renegade | JEEP Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 3 |
| 2022 | 26 | 51 |
| 2021 | 67 | 166 |
| 2020 | 62 | 309 |
| 2019 | 79 | 1648 |
| 2018 | 442 | 686 |
| 2017 | 565 | 1335 |
| 2016 | 430 | 1406 |
| 2015 | 511 | 1788 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific JEEP Renegade or JEEP Cherokee in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Renegade vs JEEP Cherokee
- JEEP Renegade total complaints
- 2,202
- JEEP Cherokee total complaints
- 7,397
- JEEP Renegade total recalls
- 24
- JEEP Cherokee total recalls
- 59
- JEEP Renegade avg complaints/year
- 244.7
- JEEP Cherokee avg complaints/year
- 739.7
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Renegade
- JEEP Renegade top complaint area
- ENGINE
- JEEP Cherokee top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN