2015 Jeep Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Jeep Cherokee ranks 3rd worst of 11 model years with a complaint index of 80 and 1,787 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 56% of complaints, with 11 recall campaigns filed against this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #3 of 11 Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,787
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 45
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 28
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
Top 2015 Jeep Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report smoke and fire emerging from under the hood shortly after purchase, in some cases within the first 100 miles.
- Electrical system failures include sudden pops, smoke, and glowing or flames near the vehicle's undercarriage while driving at highway speed.
- Drivers describe the vehicle unexpectedly revving and accelerating forward when the brake pedal was pressed at a stop.
- Owners report the collision avoidance system failing to detect a vehicle ahead, resulting in a low-speed frontal impact.
- Steering-related complaints describe loss of control leading to a crash during normal driving conditions.
- A tire separated from the vehicle after a side-impact collision, contributing to loss of control.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2015 Cherokee 3rd worst out of 11 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the main problem with the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 56% of complaints (1,002 of 1,787), with a median failure mileage of 24,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2015 Cherokee, covering the power liftgate fire risk, 9-speed transmission software, seat fasteners, and an engine hose routing issue.
- How does the 2015 Cherokee compare to other Cherokee years?
- It has a higher complaint index (80) than the 2016 (70), 2017 (60), and 2018 (50) model years, but a lower index than the 2014 (100) and 2019 (90) model years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
- EPA rates it at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.