2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a head restraint that deploys without a collision, a seat belt that stops retracting, and an eight-speed transmission that shifts harshly or reports a shifter fault. Many complaints come in between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, and diesel-equipped vehicles add fuel-system and EGR concerns.

1. 1
   Seats

   Active head restraint deploys without a collision

   • 360 complaints (15%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (259 state mileage)
   • 45 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 23 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a loud pop and the front headrest snapping forward and striking the back of the occupant's head, often while the vehicle is parked or moving slowly. In several accounts the headrest cannot be pushed back, and owners say the small plastic parts inside the headrest have broken. Complaints state that dealers told them the repair was not covered and treated the vehicle as not included in a recall. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles, in both parked and steady-speed driving situations.

   Recall 14V6430001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Sit in both front seats and press the headrest to confirm it is in its normal position and not protruding; look inside the headrest for broken plastic pieces. A service bulletin describes a reset procedure for deployed active head restraints where no parts are broken.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I I was sitting at a red light with no others cars around me and no occupants in the car. All of a sudden I was hit in the back of the head. It was hard enough that I saw stars which resulted in a minor headache. No lights came on, no warning of any kind. I proceeded to a parking lot to see what it was that hit me and my headrest had come apart and popped forward.”

   NHTSA complaint #11354593, filed 2020-09, 122,000 miles

   “The passenger headrest deployed while I was driving down the road on a city street no one was around my vehicle the street was empty my husband was in the passenger seat and it slammed into the back of his head. Now I'm nervous that the driver aide will do the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351271, filed 2020-08, 103,639 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting and 'Service Shifter' messages

   • 604 complaints (25%)
   • median 34,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (468 state mileage)
   • 106 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 39 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe hard or delayed shifts, the transmission holding a gear or slipping, and elevated RPM before engagement, sometimes with the vehicle hesitating when merging or passing. Others describe a 'Service Shifter' or service transmission message, an illuminated shift indicator, and occasions where the vehicle would not shift out of park or slipped into neutral on its own. Owners report dealer visits where no fault was found, software updates, and in some cases transmission replacement. Often reported between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles; some owners describe the behavior appearing early after purchase.

   Recall 16V2400002 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, note whether shifts are smooth when cold and under light acceleration, and whether any shifter or transmission warning appears. Ask whether transmission software updates have been applied and whether the gear selector warning recall work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We started our vacation drive to florida june 9, 2019 when we got to florida june 11, 2019 we got a message that popped up on our vehicle that said service shifter. We were really upset because we just bought the vehicle on june 6, 2019. The dealership wants us to pay a $250 deductible for the issues we are having with it. This should be covered under our warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #11306717, filed 2020-02, 63,000 miles

   “Hard shifting in low heats and also on the highway trying to pass another vehicle the my Jeep hesitates before it accelerates and starts to function properly again. Keep dealerships have replaced transmission 2 times since I purchased the vehicle. Also have some multiple software updates and issue still persists.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364286, filed 2020-10, 34,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Diesel fuel system faults and stalling

   • 368 complaints (15%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (137 state mileage)
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,247 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners of diesel-equipped vehicles describe popping noises, loss of power, stalling, warning lights, and messages about the fuel injection pump, sometimes with elevated RPM without proper gear engagement. Several complaints note that recall parts for the high-pressure fuel pump and related campaigns were unavailable for extended periods. Others describe EGR cooler or EGR valve problems, including coolant loss and exhaust odor in the cabin. Reported from roughly 57,000 miles upward, with many above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 22V406000Recall 23V411000Recall 20V699000Recall 20V4750001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm which open diesel recalls apply to the vehicle's VIN and whether the remedies have been completed, and ask for records of EGR cooler and fuel pump work; check for check-engine codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle overheated - manifold / EGR had to be replaced due to severe soot build up. Engine compartment was smoking and coolant empty when vehicle overheated. Vehicle is a fire risk.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309125, filed 2020-02, 85,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while he or his wife was driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11491576, filed 2022-10, 142,000 miles
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Front seat belts won't retract

   • 196 complaints (8%)
   • median 62,220 mi at 6.3 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners report that the front seat belts, usually the passenger side, stop pulling back in, leaving slack across the chest. Several complaints point to a cracked plastic guide in the door pillar that pinches the belt, while others describe the retractor mechanism itself failing. Complaints state that dealers diagnosed a needed belt or retractor replacement and, in some cases, said it was not covered by warranty; a few mention the rear buckle becoming hard to release. Reported from low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, with several cases in the 64,000-84,000 mile range.

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it go to confirm it retracts smoothly, and inspect the plastic guide at the pillar for cracks; also check that rear buckles release easily.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Same as many many others. Front seat belts are failing to retract due to a cracked guide from the shoulder to body of car bend. Took to dealership with a factory warranty remaining on my 2014 jgc limited and was told its not covered..I put 6k miles on it since my vehicle purchase. Current odo 64,441. My daughter cant safely drive my vehicle since the seatbelt is currently a dress with all the extra slack.”

   NHTSA complaint #11355010, filed 2020-09, 64,441 miles

   “Locking (female) part of rear seatbelt mechanism broke. This makes it hard to release the locked seatbelt for a passenger in the back seat. This is dangerous if the person needed to escape the vehicle in an emergency.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321392, filed 2020-04, 88,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Oil filter housing / oil cooler leaks

   • 94 complaints (4%)
   • median 72,500 mi at 6.3 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report oil leaking from the top of the engine at the oil filter housing or oil cooler, leaving drips or puddles where the vehicle is parked. Complaints state the housing is plastic and cracks, and that the part has been on backorder, with dealers replacing the assembly. Some owners describe oil reaching hot engine parts and express concern about fire risk. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles, with a few noted much earlier.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for oil residue or staining around the top of the engine and under the vehicle, and ask whether the oil filter adapter or cooler has been replaced; a service bulletin addresses the oil filter adapter on this model year.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my vehicle to browns chrysler Jeep dodge today in patchogue ny today as I noticed oil leaking from under carriage. It was told to me that the oil filter housing assembly is broken. Contacted my local car repair ( tire city , shirley ny ) to get information on this situation and also see how much they would charge . In the conversation, it was mentioned that they also had this similar problem and had many jeeps come in lately with the same problems. I have also contacted and had them record the issue with chrysler head quarters in mi. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11396359, filed 2021-02, 66,722 miles

   “This model can come with the 3.6 liter v/6 engine. The oil cooler has a neck attached and this is where the oil filter is located. Where the neck is connected to the oil cooler there is a o-ring to seal this connection and this leaks on almost all models. There has been some incidents where the oil has leaked on a hot motor and cause a fire. This is problem with this engine oil cooler design and should be probably listed as a recall. Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #11327123, filed 2020-06, 86,456 miles

Buying note. Check the front head restraints and seat belts closely on a test drive, and ask for service records covering transmission software or repairs and, on diesel models, the outstanding fuel pump and EGR campaigns. A pre-purchase inspection that includes reading stored codes is worthwhile given the electrical and powertrain complaints reported for this year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.