Jeep Cherokee Reliability Problems

Cherokee owners have made 1,846 complaints over 20 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it second to last in overall reliaibility, with significant transmission and engine concerns.

6 Common Jeep Cherokee Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Cherokee owners have to deal with.

  1. 2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption

    A serious defect in the 2.4L Tigershark engine causes an excessive amount of oil to be burned during normal operation. Owners must constantly top off the oil and have consumption tests run at the dealership, or risk the engine seizing up an…

    Continue reading article "2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption" Tigershark engine

  2. 2.4L Tigershark Emissions

    Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) could be preparing for a major recall after discovering excessive emissions coming out vehicles with the 2.4L Tigershark engine. In a recent regulatory filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, …

    Continue reading article "2.4L Tigershark Emissions" White smoke coming out of a tailpipe

  3. uConnect Hacks

    Automakers have been swapping out mechanical parts for electronic control units, setting up in-car wifi networks, and connecting infotainment systems to cloud-based services. So it was only a matter of time before these technologies got hac…

    Continue reading article "uConnect Hacks" Infotainment screen with uConnect loaded

  4. AHR Deploys

    The active head restraints in some Jeep vehicles are handing out free concussions. A mechanical breakdown inside the restraint means they could deploy randomly at any time.

    Continue reading article "AHR Deploys" A Jeep head restraint

  6. Death Wobble

    The death wobble is a creative term coined by Jeep owners that describes a situation when the front axle begins violently oscillating, causing the car to shake (or wobble) in a manner which makes the vehicle hard to control.

    Continue reading article "Death Wobble" A red Wrangler climbing over rocks

What Cherokee Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Cherokee Generations

The Cherokee has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 5th generation (2014–2021).

Cherokee Key Numbers

  1. 1,846 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 630 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 75 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Cherokee Class-Action Lawsuits

The Cherokee has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Gizzarelli, et al., v. FCA US LLC

    1. Case Filed

      A Chrysler oil consumption lawsuit alleges these Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat and Jeep vehicles stall while driving because the 2.4L Tigershark engines have piston rings that don't work properly with the cylinders.

Recent Cherokee News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. Fiat-Chrysler has been accused of calling the 2.4L Tigershark engine's agressive oil consumption "normal" in order to avoid having to recall millions of vehicles.

    A new lawsuit says a defect in that engine's piston rings allows oil to enter the combustion chamber. That leads to roughly a quart of oil burning off every 1,000 miles. If an owner follows the recommended 4,000 mile oil change interval, it puts them at extreme risk of permanently damaging the engine.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says a Piston Ring Defect Burns Through Oil in the Tigershark Engine"

  5. A lawsuit concerning hacking vulnerabilities in Fiat-Chrysler’s (FCA) Uconnect system is headed to trial this October.

    The lawsuit was filed after researchers showed how a Jeep could be controlled remotely through the infotainment system. FCA has called the case meritless and tried to get it dismissed. When that didn’t work they turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. To FCA’s surprise, the court refused to even hear the appeal.

    It’s almost as if FCA thought the were in control of the situation and then suddenly they weren’t 🤔

    keep reading article "Uconnect Hacking Vulnerability Trial Date Set"

  7. There’s a settlement on the horizon for 9-speed transmission problems, it just needs the judge’s final thumbs up.

    The Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) 9-speed transmission class-action includes all consumers who purchased or leased a new 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee, 2015 Jeep Renegade, 2015 Chrysler 200 or 2015 ProMaster City. In addition, the consumer must still own the vehicle and it must have been purchased or leased in the U.S.

    Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) agreed to the settlement before the case went to trial, and generally it’s good news. There are a lot of complicated eligibility requirements, however, and David Wood has the full run-down on CarComplaints.com.

    keep reading article "9-Speed Transmission Settlement Just Needs the Judge’s Approval"

  8. 2016 Cherokee owners are tired of their junk 9-speed transmissions shifting hard, losing power, and making sudden unexpected movements.

    Accelerating through the first 3-gears is a particular adventure. Getting to 40mph can feel like you’re playing an overly aggressive game of red-light-green-light with a toddler.…

    keep reading article "Class-Action Lawsuit Wants Fiat-Chrysler to Take Responsibility for the Cherokee’s 9-Speed Transmission"

See All Cherokee News

What Owners Say About Their Cherokee

Hard, Strange Shifts and Sudden Shutdowns with the ZF 9-Speed Transmission

Cherokee 9 gear transmission shift rough in low gears. Lunging, hesitations, and spinning wheels from stop. Had software update for free at local dealership. This reduced the severity of issue but no way corrects it.

2014 Cherokee Owner in CA

Oil Consumption Defect Causes the 2.4L Tigershark Engine to Stall

Had problem with engine stall while braking and cornering. Checked oil levels and was over a quart low. Checked oil again just over a week later and was down another quart. Took it to the dealership and had them check oil consumption. I was told that a quart of oil every 850 miles is ok for this model. This is stupid, why would I ever do an oil change, by the time I get to 3000 miles I have pretty much replaced the oil.

2015 Cherokee Owner in MO

Oil Consumption Defect Causes the 2.4L Tigershark Engine to Stall

My wife's Cherokee has been for some time shutting down on her unexpectedly without any check engine lights or any warnings. At our dealer they informed her that the oil level was very low, close to 2 quarts of oil in the engine when it is supposed to maintain [closer to] 6 quarts. The part that they couldn't answer was why was the vehicle not alerting us of low oil levels.

2015 Cherokee Owner in IL

Other Jeep Models