2019 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
89/100
#2 most-complained of 10 Cherokee years
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has a Complaint Index of 89 and ranks 2nd worst out of 10 model years, with 1,641 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 49% of complaints, making this year a relative Avoid compared to other Cherokee years.
- Complaints
- 1,641
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 40 / 19
- Injuries / deaths
- 37 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain803 (49%)
- Engine516 (31%)
- Electrical System346 (21%)
- Other260 (16%)
- Brakes135 (8%)
- Steering120 (7%)
- Airbags42 (3%)
- Fuel System42 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras41 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended forward lunges or acceleration while stopped or in slow traffic, sometimes resulting in front-end collisions.
- Brakes reportedly fail to slow or stop the vehicle even with the pedal fully depressed, in some cases leading to crashes.
- Multiple owners describe engine fires, including burning electrical odors and smoke from under the hood while the vehicle was stopped or parked.
- Steering has reportedly locked up completely while exiting a freeway, causing loss of control and spinning.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a side-impact crash despite a Takata recall being in effect.
2019 Jeep Cherokee recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V290000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain61,711 vehicles
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V011000Apr 29, 2025Transmission & Powertrain63,130 vehicles
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
- NHTSA 19V637000Aug 29, 2019Steering5,294 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion:rack
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V99.
2019 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2019 compared with other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
- Relative to other Cherokee model years, yes. It has a Complaint Index of 89 and ranks 2nd worst among 10 model years tracked, with a verdict of Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 49% of the 1,641 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaigns 26V290000 and 25V011000 covering power transfer unit (PTU) failures that can cause loss of drive power, plus a 2018 recall (18V739000) for improper transmission calibration causing stalls.
- How does the 2019 Cherokee compare to newer years?
- Later years score much better: the 2020 has a Complaint Index of 33, 2021 is 22, and 2022 is 11, all verdict Good or Best, versus 89 for 2019.
- Is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee fuel efficient?
- EPA rates it at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.