YearToAvoid

2014 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 10 Cherokee years

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has the highest Complaint Index (100) of all 10 model years and ranks worst overall, with 2,646 complaints, 13 recalls, and 56 crashes. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 56% of complaints, driving its Avoid verdict.

Complaints
2,646
Recalls
13
Crashes / fires
56 / 16
Injuries / deaths
39 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2014 Jeep Cherokee problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain1,469 (56%)
  2. Engine652 (25%)
  3. Electrical System480 (18%)
  4. Other299 (11%)
  5. Brakes294 (11%)
  6. Fuel System200 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body120 (5%)
  8. Steering119 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires84 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers74 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly rolling backward or moving on its own even when the gear shift is placed in park.
  • Some drivers describe the brakes failing to respond during slow-speed stops, leading to collisions with other vehicles or objects.
  • Owners report the steering suddenly becoming uncontrollable and pulling the vehicle to one side without input.
  • Some complaints describe the transmission shifting incorrectly along with engine stalling and smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle.
  • A driver reported a front wheel separating from the vehicle while driving, with lug bolts found stripped and rotors loose.
  • One owner reported a crash and fire after the vehicle veered unexpectedly during a steering input.
2014 Jeep Cherokee complaints: complaints filed per quarter1762014 Q12015 Q42017 Q32019 Q22021 Q12022 Q42024 Q32026 Q2
3875 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (176).

2014 Jeep Cherokee recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V338000May 11, 2023Structure & Body132,099 vehiclesPark Outside

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.

  2. NHTSA 20V343000Jun 11, 2020Transmission & Powertrain67,248 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:differential unit

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

    Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.

  3. NHTSA 19V447000Jun 13, 2019Transmission & Powertrain81,615 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines. In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.

    Risk: An unexpected shift to neutral would result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V69.

See all 13 recalls for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee →

2014 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Cherokee years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid1002,6461322
2015Avoid781,7871123
2016Caution671,406923

All Jeep Cherokee years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Compared to other Cherokee model years, the 2014 is the least favorable, with a Complaint Index of 100, the highest among all 10 years tracked, and a rank of worst overall.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 56% of complaints (1,469 of 2,646), with a median failure mileage of 34,000 miles.
Does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have transmission recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists recalls covering the 9-speed automatic transmission software, the Power Transfer Unit, and a transmission clutch issue affecting 3.2L engines.
How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, including issues with the power liftgate module, seat fasteners, and windshield wiper-related body control module damage.
Which Jeep Cherokee years are better than 2014?
Years such as 2021 (Complaint Index 22, Best) and 2022 (Complaint Index 11, Best) show far fewer reported problems than 2014.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.