Jeep Cherokee Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 14,891 consumer complaints across the 29 model years of the Jeep Cherokee (1984–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2014 has the most, with 2,650. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (5,695 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Cherokee years →
All Cherokee model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | — | 4 | 94 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 52 | 60,000 | 3 | 169 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 176 | 55,500 | 4 | 256 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 334 | 50,000 | 3 | 388 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 1,671 | 21,275 | 11 | 407 | 81 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 688 | 33,200 | 7 | 211 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2017 | 1,338 | 40,894 | 6 | 257 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 1,412 | 43,650 | 9 | 450 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 1,793 | 27,250 | 11 | 613 | 80 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 2,650 | 37,000 | 13 | 563 | 85 · More | Falling |
| 2006 | 17 | 26,235 | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 229 | 59,650 | 2 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 369 | 71,500 | 1 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 366 | 76,900 | 2 | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 399 | 98,000 | 5 | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 390 | 104,040 | 4 | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 447 | 136,650 | 6 | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 608 | 105,928 | 6 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 519 | 115,000 | 5 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 418 | 130,000 | 3 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 113 | 118,490 | 1 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 233 | 172,602 | 5 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 270 | 142,868 | 5 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1989 | 191 | 139,634 | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 97 | 75,544 | 0 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 57 | 90,000 | 5 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 21 | 169,774 | 4 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 17 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 7 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain5,695 34%
- Electrical system2,372 14%
- Engine2,190 13%
- Brakes1,981 12%
- Other or unknown1,810 11%
- Vehicle speed control945 5.7%
- Body and structure860 5.2%
- Fuel system760 4.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2018: “While driving on a city street or highway when my vehicle comes to a stop it stalls or while driving at low speed. Upon checking the oil it was discovered that there was not even a quart left no indicator light no oil change notification; I hadn't yet reached the months or mileage on the sticker recommend by the mechanic shop where I get my oil changed,”
NHTSA complaint #11407833, filed 2021-04, 90,000 miles2014: “I was driving and stopped at traffic light and notification popped up saying shift gear to park (p) and to desired gear . After performing that and when I went back to d all power went away and car started rolling backwards (there was a little slope). So I went to park again and tried it once more, power came for 3 seconds and went out again.”
NHTSA complaint #11403476, filed 2021-03, 67,894 miles2019: “We bought this car for my 17-year-old son from carfax. It seemed great for a few months, but the engine starting shutting off while he was driving the car on the busy roads of houston. When we put oil in the car, the engine shutoff stops, but it comes back within a month. It is very dangerous. He has had a number of close calls. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #11396765, filed 2021-02, 45,000 milesOther Jeep models
29,143 complaintsJeep Wrangler
16,059 complaintsJeep Liberty
8,882 complaintsJeep Compass
3,725 complaintsJeep Patriot
2,787 complaintsJeep Commander
2,748 complaintsJeep Renegade
2,210 complaintsJeep Wrangler 4-DR 4X4
1,366 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology