2015 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
78/100
#3 most-complained of 10 Cherokee years
The 2015 Jeep Cherokee ranks 3rd worst out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 78 and 1,787 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 56% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 11 recalls, giving it an overall Avoid verdict.
- Complaints
- 1,787
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 45 / 28
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2015 Jeep Cherokee problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,002 (56%)
- Engine462 (26%)
- Electrical System358 (20%)
- Other266 (15%)
- Brakes179 (10%)
- Structure & Body95 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires66 (4%)
- Steering59 (3%)
- Airbags41 (2%)
- Fuel System40 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report smoke and fire emerging from under the hood shortly after starting or while driving, in some cases within the first 100 miles.
- Electrical shorts have caused dashboard lights to illuminate abnormally along with a glow or flames coming from underneath the vehicle at highway speed.
- Some drivers describe the brake pedal being pressed while the engine revs and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerates toward a stop.
- The collision avoidance system has failed to detect an obstacle and did not trigger automatic braking during a low-speed parking lot collision.
- A tire has separated from the vehicle during a side-impact crash, causing loss of control.
- Owners have reported taking the vehicle in for recall-related repairs multiple times within the first several months of ownership.
2015 Jeep Cherokee recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
2015 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2015 compared with other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Jeep Cherokee a bad year?
- Yes, relative to other Cherokee model years. It has a complaint index of 78 and ranks 3rd worst out of 10 years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the most common problem with the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 56% of the 1,787 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 24,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, covering the power liftgate fire risk, 9-speed transmission control module reprogramming, a misrouted A/C hose, and seat fastener issues, among others.
- How does the 2015 Cherokee compare to other years?
- The 2014 model is worse with a complaint index of 100, while 2016 through 2022 generally score lower, with 2021 and 2022 rated Best at complaint indexes of 22 and 11.
- What fuel economy does the 2015 Jeep Cherokee get?
- The 2015 Cherokee is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.