Jeep Cherokee Best and Worst Years (2006–2023)
Avoid the 2014, 2015, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 80, and 90) and the most transmission and powertrain complaints. The 2022 is the Best year with only 51 complaints and an index of 20, while 2006, 2020, and 2021 are also Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2006–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 10,034
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | — | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 2,646 | 56 | 16 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 1,787 | 45 | 28 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 70 | 1,406 | 37 | 14 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 1,334 | 24 | 6 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 684 | 11 | 5 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 90 | 1,641 | 40 | 19 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 303 | 9 | 6 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Good | 30 | 162 | 10 | 4 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | 4★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 10 | 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 worst complaint index of any year, 100, with 2,646 complaints and 13 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate, making up 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 34,000. Owners also reported Engine issues (25%) and Electrical System failures (18%). NHTSA recalls cover a power liftgate fire risk, a Power Transfer Unit fault, and a transmission software issue that could shift into neutral. Crashes tied to steering and braking failures appear in the complaint record, including reports of brakes not responding at very low mileage.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2019 Jeep Cherokee Index 90 · 1,641 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Cherokee has a complaint index of 90, the second highest of any year, with 1,641 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 49% of the total at a median mileage of 50,000, while Engine (31%) and Electrical System (21%) failures occurred at much lower mileages, around 15,000 and 11,750. Recalls address Power Transfer Unit failures that can cause loss of drive power and a steering rack gear that may break, risking loss of steering control. Sample complaints describe brake failures leading to crashes and engine fires with electrical odors.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
2015 Jeep Cherokee Index 80 · 1,787 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2015 Cherokee has a complaint index of 80 with 1,787 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 56% of complaints at a median mileage of 24,000. Owners reported Engine problems (26%) and Electrical System issues (20%), with several sample complaints describing engine bay fires shortly after purchase, some under 1,500 miles. Recalls include the same power liftgate fire risk shared with 2014-2016 models, the Power Transfer Unit recall, and a software flash covering engine or powertrain control.
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 across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain5,142 (51%)
- Engine2,568 (26%)
- Electrical System2,104 (21%)
- Other1,723 (17%)
- Brakes945 (9%)
- Steering454 (5%)
- Fuel System389 (4%)
- Structure & Body305 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires284 (3%)
- Airbags223 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Jeep Cherokee should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2014, 2015, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 80, and 90) and the most Transmission & Powertrain reports.
- What is the best year for the Jeep Cherokee?
- The 2022 Jeep Cherokee is rated Best, with only 51 complaints and the lowest complaint index, 20, among years with substantial data. 2006, 2020, and 2021 are also rated Good.
- Does the Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 51% of all 10,034 complaints across model years 2006-2023, and it is the top problem area in nearly every year, including all three Avoid years.
- How many recalls does the Jeep Cherokee have?
- Across the 2006-2023 model years covered, NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns. The 2014 model year alone has 13 recalls, the most of any year.
- Is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
- The 2019 Cherokee is rated Avoid based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 90, 1,641 complaints, and 11 recalls including a Power Transfer Unit failure and a steering rack gear recall.