Jeep Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 6 model years (2018–2023), NHTSA has logged 2,798 owner complaints and 21 safety recalls for the Jeep Cherokee. That averages 61.9 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.47 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #6 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2021 and 2022 models run 92% below the 2018 and 2019 models (20 early complaints per model year versus 334).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (211.5 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (0.8). The 2019 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2021, 2022 and 2023 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (41.8% of complaints), followed by Engine (25.1%) and Electrical (11.1%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 3.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “ptu”, “transfer”, “shifter”, “light” and “power”. 105 complaints (3.8%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 67 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 645 complaints versus 524 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (363). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 50 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 21 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2018 (9), 1 fixable over the air. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture” (opened 2021-09-17, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Rogue have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 682 | 78.6 | 1.87 | 165 | 1.85 | 80 | 7 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2019 Years to research carefully | 1,623 | 211.5 | 5.03 | 503 | 6.23 | 363 | 11 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2020 | 288 | 43.1 | 1.02 | 34 | 0.6 | 116 | 3 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2021 | 154 | 27.1 | 0.64 | 29 | 0.47 | 64 | 4 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2022 | 48 | 10.3 | 0.24 | 11 | 0.15 | 21 | 3 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 3 | 0.8 | 0.02 | 1 | 0.01 | 1 | 1 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 645 · Previous 12 months: 524 Steady
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
1,169 · 41.8% · 3.59 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- ptu483
- transfer269
- power train241
- unit259
Interior & equipment ›
257 · 9.2% · 1.02 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- shifter60
- ptu43
- transfer unit22
- power transfer22
Brakes ›
96 · 3.4% · 0.57 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake78
- emergency26
- engaged21
- disengage13
Steering ›
87 · 3.1% · 0.48 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering79
- wheel43
- rack18
- power34
Airbags & seat belts ›
59 · 2.1% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- deploy22
- air29
- bag14
- front25
Body & structure
35 · 1.3% · 0.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- hood8
- side14
- wipers6
- adjusted4
Wheels, tires & suspension
31 · 1.1% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire15
- nuts6
- continental5
- lug5
Other
22 · 0.8% · 0.43 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated7
- cruise control7
- pedal7
- blvd3
Fuel system
18 · 0.6% · 0.15 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel8
- tank4
- engine compartment3
- line4
Driver-assist systems
7 · 0.3% · 0.04 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
6 · 0.2% · 0.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- ptu572
- transfer314
- shifter310
- light981
- power787
- unit313
- train270
- svc76
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 50 months
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle's wheels locked up. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and whiplash and pain. The service 4WD warning light was illuminated after the failure.
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…
Service 4w drive light came on vehicle stores going up in Kleins as well as it shut off on me on an interstate thank goodness there was no vehicles I was able to get it started and get to safety on side of the road.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the rear-view camera was stuck in the on position. There was an abnormal beeping sound while another vehicle was approaching. The local dealer was contacted and notified of the failure.
the parking brake comes on when driving shutting down the car..this happened yesterday and has happened once before
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 21
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 1
Safety recalls: 2018 (7) · 2019 (11) · 2020 (3) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (3) · 2023 (1)
Investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt…
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Cherokee model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (211.5 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (0.8).
Is the Jeep Cherokee getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2021 and 2022 models run 92% below the 2018 and 2019 models (20 early complaints per model year versus 334). In the last 12 months owners filed 645 complaints versus 524 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Jeep Cherokee problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (41.8% of complaints), followed by Engine (25.1%) and Electrical (11.1%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “ptu”, “transfer”, “shifter”, “light” and “power”.
How does the Jeep Cherokee compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #6 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Rogue have more.
Does the Jeep Cherokee have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 21 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2018 (9), 1 fixable over the air. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture” (opened 2021-09-17, still open).