JEEP Cherokee Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used JEEP Cherokee options? We analyzed 10 model years (2015–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the JEEP Cherokee has 7,233 owner complaints and 57 safety recalls across model years 2015–2026. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2015 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- JEEP
- Model
- Cherokee
- Model years analyzed
- 2015–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 7,233
- Safety recall campaigns
- 57
- Crash-related complaints
- 179
- Fire-related complaints
- 81
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2015 (1,779 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
JEEP Cherokee: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe JEEP CHEROKEE has 7,233 NHTSA complaints and 57 recalls on record. 179 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 7,233 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 57 federal recall campaigns
- 179 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
57 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
POWER TRAIN
POWER TRAIN
POWER TRAIN
POWER TRAIN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POWER TRAIN
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2015–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 7,233 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
7,233 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly came to a complete stop, after which the contact became aware that the parking brake had engaged independently. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic parking brake control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who was unable to provide the diagnostic result for the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 54.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage the air bags were erroneously deployed. The contact indicated that six of the eight air bags in the vehicle deployed including the front driver and passenger air bags although no crash had initially occurred. The contact stated that after the air bags deployed the vehicle erroneously drove forward and crashed into the interior garage wall. The EMS and police were called to the scene and the contact was transported to the hospital. During the incident, the contact sustained a fractured right tibia, a chemical burn to the left leg and respiratory troubles due to inhalation of chemicals from the air bags. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a collision center. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was examined but the cause of the failure was unknown. A police report was taken at the scene. The failure mileage was 11,500.
Intermittent grinding noise that lasts from 1 to 20 seconds that I believe is related to Traction Control / ASC which is concerning.It happens more frequently when turning the traction /asc button on & off. I have taken it to the jeep dealer & showed them a video of it happening but they said they could recreate the noise. It happens to me multiple times EVERY day. I wanted to send you a video of it happening that I have of it on my IPhone but don’t seem to be able to do it online. I can send by email or phone message if you would like to see it.
I had pulled the vehicle into my garage. When I tried to shut the car off the car it would not shut off. In fact many components of the car seem to be completely out of sync. The car would not go into any gear. I could not shut the car off. No matter what I did the car just kept running. I finally more or less gave up and just let it keep running for a couple of hours. When I went back into the garage to check what was happening the car had finally stopped running. At that point I had call a towing service and arranged to have the vehicle taken to Autonation Jeep Chrysler the next morning where I had purchased the vehicle. This was a newly purchased vehicle and only had a total of 78 miles on it. Surprisingly the next morning I went into the garage to check on what was happening with the vehicle and to my surprise the vehicle had stopped running. I then disconnected The 12 Volt battery and left it disconnected for an hour or two. After this time I reconnected the battery. I again attempted to start the vehicle and surprisingly the vehicle started up and all functions in the car seem to be performing normally. At this point I drove the car about a mile to the Autonation Jeep Chrysler dealership and had conversation with service technician. Surprisingly he told me that Jeep has had this problem with other vehicles and the solution is to disconnect the 12 Volt battery for 20 or 30 minutes and then reconnect the battery. At that point the car seems to reset itself and it will run normally. End This car of mine only had 78 miles on it This is totally unacceptable. Furthermore this seems to be a problem with other Jeep vehicles. It is my opinion that Jeep Needs to correct this problem so I will not be stuck with a car that's running in my garage and I can't shut it off. All in all it seems to me this is a software problem that needs to be reworked and corrected.
Car gave message stating only 30 miles (or maybe 40?) before empty, but then went empty in only approximately 5 miles. Message before it completely died stated to pull over but car died before that point. After putting in about 1/2 gallon, car took repeated (7 or 8) start attempts before gas got to injectors to start. When filled up, gas receipt showed only 12 gallons could be put in before gas pump shut off. I believe the incorrect mileage warning, and abrupt stop, misleads the driver and may cause an accident.
Read 14 more owner reports
During an accident the driver side airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was rammed on the rear passenger wheel area. The impact was significant enough to have the curtain airbags on the passenger side go off, but the only person in the vehicle was myself, the driver.
My 4wd service light is on and apparently there is a recall on jeep for this. I should have recall I have less than 32000 miles on my vehicle
My 2022 Jeep Cherokee Lux is currently at the dealership after they diagnosed a failed PTU. This came to my attention due to the messages the vehicle gave me, warning if Loss of 4WD capability and a Serv 4 WD light. Jeep has recalled over 61000 other Cherokees for the exact same problem. We are currently waiting for approval to repair from an Extended Warranty Company (Portfolio) which is delaying things, plus the dealership has already said part if backordered, they say approximately 15 days, though no guarantee, and I have heard wait has been much longer in many cases
While coasting/foot off gas transmission will suddenly shift out of gear and a "Shift to Park" message will appear on dash. I must stop and shift to park then back into gear to re-engage the transmission. Driving will proceed normally at that point. This has occured unexpectedly and sporadically over the last year-3+ times. No error code is noted by the Jeep technician. Tech installed new shifter and bezel-seemed to work but then happened again. This is extremely hazardous while in traffic and on freeway (occurred once when coasting when on freeway off-ramp). When looking on-line it appears that there are many incidents of this same or similar issue happening with the 2022 Jeep Cherokee Limited. It is very concerning to note that this is allowed to continue with no issued recall for what appears to be a known safety problem-
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the right turn signal fails to remain engaged intermittently. The failure had become more frequent as time progressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for another matter, and the owner was also informed about the failure. The dealer confirmed there was no recall attached. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact 24V239000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING) expressed the same failure. The manufacturer was informed and confirmed that the VIN was not included the build date was 2 weeks out. The manufacturer referred the contact to the nhatsa hotline ot file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
My 4WD light came on my dashboard. I took my Jeep to the dealer and they said the PTU was blocked and has an internal mechanical failure. According to websites, this can cause the power train to stop, cause an accident or injury. I don't feel safe driving this vehicle. The dealer informed me that the part is back ordered and will take a year to come available. I live where there is heavy rain and snow weather and the 4 wheel drive feature is not working. This is not good for driving in these conditions.
Battery went dead after 4 days of being parked. Preceded by car not charging fully after driving. Dealer had to replace battery at 60,000 miles with no other fault detected. After market battery did not fix problem. Needed to be replaced by OEM battery. Still noticed not charging fully after driving. High current drain while off and parked detected. One dark night noticed dash screen came on with no key around the car then went off then cycled back on. All car modules did not shutdown. Suspected Uconnect app needed to be updated or was corrupted. Later Bluetooth would not connect to phone so I could update the program. Called Uconnect and technician said it could only be updated by dealer. On-line noticed this is a very widely reported problem that batteries are going dead for no apparent reason. Causes many other systems not to function like AntiSkid braking. Due to low battery voltage. No recall has been issued on this vehicle to make it mandatory for the manufacturer to correct the deficient software that won’t allow the modules to shut down when the vehicle is off. Associated trouble report and fix. 2024 WL/WS/DT/JL/JT/GG/GC/DJ/D2 (Includes PHEV Variants) 2023 WL/WS/DT/GG/DJ/D2/DD/DP – Battery Drain after UCONNECT activation Removing the TBM Fuse will resolve the IOD. This is a known issue and is under investigation. Part replacement will not resolve this issue. Refer to SOL S2408000010 for more information.
My 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trail-hawk PTU from Transmission failed, and only has 68000 miles. I My warranty has expired, and cant believe they quoted me $5000 to replace this part of the Transmission. I was going online, and noticed this PTU issue is kind of popular with Jeep vehicles, and at the moment, my Jeep has been in the Service Center for a few days now, since I don't know what to do or how to pay this, and seems its best to trade it in, but I honestly now not sure on getting another Jeep, after looking at so many comments on issues.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a persistent and unresolved issue with the left front axle of my 2022 Jeep Cherokee X, which has been present since the day I purchased the vehicle new. Shortly after purchase, I brought the vehicle to the dealership due to a noticeable clicking sound coming from the front end. The dealer retained the vehicle for several days but stated they were unable to identify the source of the noise, although they indicated that a repair had been performed. Immediately upon leaving the dealership, the clicking sound was still present. I returned the vehicle, at which point it remained in their possession for approximately one week. During that visit, components in the left front end were replaced. Approximately one year later, while pulling out of a driveway under normal driving conditions, the left axle failed completely. The vehicle had to be towed back to the dealership, where it remained for another week. I was informed that the CV joint had been replaced. Now, roughly one year after that repair, I brought the vehicle in for a routine oil change. During this visit, the service manager showed me that grease is actively leaking from the same left front axle. I am also once again hearing the same clicking noise that initially prompted my first visit. This vehicle has low mileage, is driven approximately six miles per day, and is used primarily for local driving. It has never been used off-road and has not been subjected to any abnormal driving conditions or impacts. Given the repeated failures involving the same component, despite prior repairs, I am concerned about the safety and reliability of this vehicle. Additionally, this ongoing issue has significantly diminished the vehicle’s value, making it difficult to sell. I am extremely disappointed that a vehicle of this age and usage history continues to experience recurring axle failures without a lasting resolution.
PTU issues unknown
When activating the left turn signal both the left and right turn signal indicators began blinking. I had to cycle the turn signal switch both right and left and then to off to stop both indicators from blinking.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? PTU Failure How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My partner and I were driving on [XXX] in the winter when the vehicle lost power and ability to drive. This put the safety of myself, my partner, and other drivers at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, it has been confirmed and diagnosed by a certified Jeep dealer in Missoula MT Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Unsure Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, no warning showed prior to the failure INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
4wd service light and code C14A7-97. Dealer states having to replace the vehicles PTU. The same issue caused a recall for the same vehicle models years 2016-2019. I am requesting immediate inclusion and repair under the recall provisions.
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and merged into oncoming traffic; as a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. A fellow motorist, who witnessed the accident, assisted the contact by helping her into the front passenger seat and driving her vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact called her parents to the scene of the accident, and she was taken to the hospital. The contact was given an X-ray and was treated for tissue swelling around her neck, collar bone, and chest; the contact also suffered light bruising around those same areas. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard, where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Showing 20 of 7,233 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact JEEP Cherokee
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used JEEP Cherokee, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The JEEP Cherokee has 7,233 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The JEEP Cherokee has 57 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 179 of the JEEP Cherokee's 7,233 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all JEEP Cherokee vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two JEEP Cherokee vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The JEEP Cherokee has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used JEEP Cherokee.
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JEEP Cherokee reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the JEEP Cherokee reliable?
Poor. The JEEP Cherokee has 7,233 NHTSA owner complaints and 57 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which JEEP Cherokee years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2015 (1,779 complaints), 2019 (1,596 complaints), 2016 (1,400 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common JEEP Cherokee problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (3,560 complaints); ENGINE (1,604 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1,550 complaints).
Does the JEEP Cherokee have recalls?
Yes — 57 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the JEEP Cherokee. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.