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2014 Jeep Cherokee problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

VERY HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
73%
1,869 of 2,570 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

73% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.

Worse than 93% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 77 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 71%).

NHTSA data checked October 17, 2026
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The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 1,869 of 2,570 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (73%), and the largest group is filed under power train (1,469). For comparison, the 2013 scores 30% and the 2015 scores 72%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
1,869
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
2,647
this model year
Fires reported
16
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
13
56 crashes · 39 injuries

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN1,469 · 55%
ENGINE515 · 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM449 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER283 · 11%
SERVICE BRAKES188 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM186 · 7%

The years either side

2010
38%
41 of 118
2011
38%
596 of 1,639
2012
34%
527 of 1,644
2013
30%
229 of 804
2014
73%
1,869 of 2,647
2015
72%
1,246 of 1,788
2016
66%
895 of 1,406
2017
64%
838 of 1,335
2018
63%
421 of 686
2019
73%
1,164 of 1,648
2020
72%
217 of 309
2021
74%
116 of 166
2022
77%
34 of 51
2023
too few complaints

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN08/05/2018CRASH2 INJURED
OUR TEENAGE BOYS WERE TRAVELING AT A SAFE SPEED, DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE OR OTHER OBJECT, AND DID NOT SWERVE WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE SNAPPED. THIS DIRECTED THEM INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO SKID APPROXIMATELY SIXTY FEET DOWN A ROAD. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A WELL PAVED ROAD IN THE POCONO MOUNTAI…

One of 1,869 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 13 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

power train: driveline: differential unit20V343000 · Jun 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this…

Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a…

power train: automatic transmission19V447000 · Jun 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines. In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.

Risk: An unexpected shift to neutral would result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for…

power train: automatic transmission16V529000 · Jul 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016…

Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began…

10 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk23V338000 · May 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the…
electrical system: wiring18V332000 · May 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee…
equipment17V824000 · Dec 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models…
seats16V590000 · Aug 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not…
visibility: windshield wiper/washer15V509000 · Aug 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 4, 2013, to July 11, 2014. Use of the front windshield wipers on dry glass may cause damage to…
equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.15V461000 · Jul 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand…
structure: body: hatchback/liftgate15V393000 · Jun 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 4, 2013, to February 18, 2015 and equipped with a Power Liftgate option. In the affected…
air bags: side/window15V041000 · Jan 2015
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 1, 2013, to November 19, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience unintended side curtain and seat…
suspension: rear: shock absorber14V392000 · Jul 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Ram 1500 and 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles. Due to an insufficient weld, the rear shocks may detach from the vehicle…
vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal14V293000 · Jun 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014 to April 8, 2014, Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014 to…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.

Checking one particular 2014 Jeep Cherokee? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 1,869 of 2,570 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (73%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 13 in total: 20V343000 (power train: driveline: differential unit), 19V447000 (power train: automatic transmission), 16V529000 (power train: automatic transmission). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Jeep Cherokee years are better?

Among the Jeep Cherokee years we track, the 2013 (30%), the 2012 (34%) and the 2010 (38%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2014 (73%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2014 Jeep Cherokee?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has an elevated transmission complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing transmission work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.