Jeep Cherokee Best and Worst Years (2014–2023)
The 2014, 2015, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100, 78, and 89 versus a low of 11 for the 2022. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate every year, making 2021 and 2022 the best choices among the 2014-2023 range.
- Model years
- 10
- 2014–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 10,017
- Recall campaigns
- 39
- Crashes reported
- 236
- Fires reported
- 98
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Cherokee Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Jeep Cherokee problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 2,646 | 56 | 16 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 78 | 1,787 | 45 | 28 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 1,406 | 37 | 14 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 56 | 1,334 | 24 | 6 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 44 | 684 | 11 | 5 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 89 | 1,641 | 40 | 19 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 33 | 303 | 9 | 6 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 22 | 162 | 10 | 4 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 11 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | 4★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
Cherokee years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Jeep Cherokee Index 100 · 2,646 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2014 Cherokee has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 2,646 total complaints and 13 recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 56% of complaints, followed by Engine at 25% and Electrical System at 18%. Owners reported brake failures at very low mileage, steering that suddenly became uncontrollable after turns, and electrical shorts linked to fires. Median mileage at failure across the year sits at 37,406.5. A power liftgate recall covering 2014-2016 models addressed a fire risk from an electrical short, and a separate recall targeted stuck-clutch transmission software.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2019 Jeep Cherokee Index 89 · 1,641 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Cherokee has a complaint index of 89 from 1,641 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues represent 49% of complaints with a median mileage of 50,000, while Engine (31%) and Electrical System (21%) problems tend to surface much earlier, around 15,000 and 11,750 miles respectively. Owners reported brake failures leading to crashes, engine fires with burning odors, and sudden forward lunging while stopped in traffic. Recalls include a power transfer unit failure fix and a steering rack gear replacement for possible loss of steering control.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
2015 Jeep Cherokee Index 78 · 1,787 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2015 Cherokee carries a complaint index of 78 with 1,787 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 56% of complaints at a median mileage of 24,000, with Engine at 26% and Electrical System at 20%. Owners reported engine bay smoke and fires occurring at very low mileage, in some cases within the first 1,500 miles of ownership, along with electrical glowing and dashboard light warnings preceding fires. The same 2014-2016 power liftgate fire recall applies, plus an 18V332000 electrical software recall covering multiple Chrysler models including this Cherokee.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →
Most common Jeep Cherokee problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain5,140 (51%)
- Engine2,566 (26%)
- Electrical System2,102 (21%)
- Other1,722 (17%)
- Brakes943 (9%)
- Steering454 (5%)
- Fuel System389 (4%)
- Structure & Body304 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires283 (3%)
- Airbags223 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Jeep Cherokee years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100, 78, and 89 respectively, the highest among the 2014-2023 Cherokee lineup.
- What is the best Jeep Cherokee year?
- The 2021 and 2022 Cherokee are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 22 and 11, the lowest of any model year covered.
- What is the most common Jeep Cherokee problem?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints dominate across all years, accounting for 5,140 of 10,017 total complaints, or 51% of all reports.
- Does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have a transmission recall?
- Yes. A recall covering 2017-2019 Cherokee models addresses a power transfer unit that may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, and another 2019-2023 recall covers PTU failure with a software and hardware update.
- Is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee reliable compared to other years?
- No, it ranks worst of all years covered with a complaint index of 100 and 13 recall campaigns, driven mainly by transmission, engine, and electrical complaints.