Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Jeep Cherokee problems

Owners filed 2,651 complaints about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (1,471).

Complaints
2,651
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
56
Reported by owners
Fires
16
Reported by owners
Injuries
39
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train1,471
  2. Engine516
  3. Electrical system450
  4. Fuel/propulsion system186
  5. Vehicle speed control185
  6. Service brakes184
  7. Steering119
  8. Structure110
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)88
  10. Visibility/wiper63
  11. Suspension63
  12. Air bags49
  13. Exterior lighting47
  14. Forward collision avoidance28

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
2014219
2015382
2016398
2017213
2018203
2019297
2020242
2021160
2022131
2023154
2024100
2025105
202647

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

1,471 reports19 crashes7 fires3 related recalls
“Active Drive 2 PTU failure caused Jeep to lose power on roadway forcing me to try to get to shoulder quickly to avoid blocking traffic or being rear ended. The part is available. I haven’t sent to dealership due to financial constraints. There are numerous incidents and even a recall for similar 2 speed PTUs sold on 2014+ Jeep cherokees. Recall only covered certain VINs and not all vehicles with this same PTU. But there have been many more instances of failure from the PTUs not included in the recall or warranty extension. The svc 4wd light came on when the issue occurred. Had to have vehicle towed as it would not move under own power safely.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power trainODI 11769930

Engine

516 reports8 crashes7 fires
“The transmission light went on. Car was brought into dealership two times while still under warranty. They did not have a fix and PTU was on back order for over a year in 2017. I am now resorting to pay out of pocket. I had a PTU shipped from a Jeep dealer in Louisiana. PTU from them was not new but had come off another car and was charged $2,300. I sent it back because it was used at that time I was working and was going to pay out of pocket. I was not going to pay to install a used transmission. Regardless there is as no fix. Then in May of this year the check engine light came on. This was another problem that the Jeep dealership cannot fix. Now I have a paid for car that cannot be driven because it cannot be smogged. It has the Pentastar V6 engine. There is no fix for either problem I understand and I am retired and cannot afford these repairs. I asked the manufacturer in writing to buy the car back and they said no. Can I get some help? This was going to be my last car. Jeep dealer offered $200 for the car. My all weather tires are worth more than the car. I’ve changed oil on time using synthetic oil and have otherwise taken good care of this car. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11769410

Electrical system

450 reports6 crashes9 fires2 related recalls
“The contact purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 114,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 216,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Electrical systemODI 11774521

Fuel/propulsion system

186 reports1 fire
“In December 2023 encountered a failure of the vehicles Rear Differential Module (RDM). Failure of the RDM on this vehicle poses several significant safety issues, not dissimilar to concerns raised by the failure of the PTU on this vehicle which eventually resulted in a recall by the manufacturer after many reports by owners. Vehicle mileage at this time was 72,829. As this failure occurred outside of the drivetrain warranty offered by Stellantis on this vehicle, I had the defective RDM replaced at my cost (an expensive repair). Then in December 2025 I returned to my Jeep dealer once again with grinding and binding issues from the rear end of the vehicle. Vehicle mileage at this time was 94,500. The dealer initially diagnosed this as a failed driveshaft bearing and a replacement was ordered. It took weeks for this part to arrive at the dealer. The new driveshaft was finally installed on January 26 of 2026 (another costly repair). When I arrived to pick up the vehicle it became immediately apparent that the originally reported issue in December 2025 had not been repaired. The dealer's repair shop performed another diagnosis and subsequently determined that the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11720855

Vehicle speed control

185 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“I have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee that i have had since 2019. Since I have owned it, there have been several transmission recalls. I am currently dealing with a new transmission issue, where it is jerky and fails to go when pressing the gas after being at a stop. I am also dealing with the second oil filter housing leaking. Apparently this is a known issue, due to a plastic housing that cracks and warps easily. This causes significant oil and coolant leaks. This can potentially cause engine failure as well as the possibility of oil causing a fire due to hot oil on the exhaust. I previously paid over $1000 to have this repaired a few years ago and its now doing the same thing! This is highly frustrating. I will not be able to drive my car until this is fixed to the safety hazard of driving with such a bad oil leak.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11745945

Service brakes

184 reports10 crashes1 fire
“My vehicle’s E-brake engaged and would not released. After having it towed to the dealership, I was told that a leak into my rear storage of my spare tires occurred and shorted the E-brake electrical system! There are no visible leaks coming from within the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11767390
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.