Power train
Remedy pending
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2019 Jeep CherokeeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 1,673 owner complaints for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Most complaints involve power train (832) and engine (459). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
1,673
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Power train
Free remedy
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.
Steering: rack
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1,673 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Oct 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Cherokee model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 450 |
| 1997 | 1,380 |
| 1999 | 2,004 |
| 2000 | 1,829 |
| 2001 | 1,111 |
| 2014 | 2,651 |
| 2015 | 1,794 |
| 2016 | 1,413 |
| 2017 | 1,338 |
| 2018 | 688 |
| 2019 | 1,673 |
| 2020 | 334 |
| 2021 | 177 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 0 |
- Crashes reported
- 40
- Fires reported
- 19
- Injuries reported
- 37
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
832 reports8 crashes1 fire
“My 4wd service light came on and I took it to a private mechanic who did a diagnostic. They found a bad PTU and it needs to be replaced. My car VIN is not falling into the recall that was current within my year of Jeep (Recall number: 26V290000) . My problem is the same as the recall but my vehicle was not included. Please provide help on how I can get covered under this recall.”
Engine
459 reports4 crashes11 fires
“I was coming out of a gas station and the battery light came on/ stayed on and the car just stopped. I couldn’t shut it off, put it in drive, put it in park…….The car still seemed to be running… I had to wait about 10 mins before I could do anything I.e. start it up again. This was very scary and unsafe as the car stopped dead between a street entrance/ exit of the gas station, and cars had to swerve to get around me.”
Electrical system
341 reports3 crashes4 fires
“The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the rearview camera display flickered with black and white streaks. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse (R), the black and white streaks remained on the display, and the air conditioning controls were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was a common issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
10 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 9-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 345 |
| Cherokee FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,550 | 352 |
| Cherokee 4WD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 369 |
| Cherokee 4WD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 387 |
| Cherokee FWD Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 387 |
| Cherokee 4WD Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 400 |
| Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 400 |
| Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 416 |
| Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 432 |
- 26mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Cherokee SUV 2WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 17.4%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2019 Cherokee questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have?
11 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems?
Owners filed 1,673 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (832), engine (459), electrical system (341). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Jeep Cherokee at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).
How safe is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026