Jeep Cherokee: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Jeep Cherokee problems by model year, from 14,244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2022 (77%, 34 drivetrain complaints), 2021 (74%, 116 drivetrain complaints) and 2014 (73%, 1,869 drivetrain complaints). 12 of the 13 Jeep Cherokee years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 9 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2013 (30%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2013 (30%) to 2014 (73%), up 43 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2014 drew the most drivetrain complaints (1,869 of 8,193 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2023 has fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Jeep Cherokee year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Cherokee | elevated | 38% | 41 | 118 | 11/13 | 5 |
| 2011 Cherokee | elevated | 38% | 596 | 1,639 | 10/13 | 6 |
| 2012 Cherokee | elevated | 34% | 527 | 1,644 | 12/13 | 11 |
| 2013 Cherokee | no elevated signal | 30% | 229 | 804 | 13/13 | 10 |
| 2014 Cherokee | very high | 73% | 1,869 | 2,647 | 3/13 | 13 |
| 2015 Cherokee | very high | 72% | 1,246 | 1,788 | 5/13 | 11 |
| 2016 Cherokee | very high | 66% | 895 | 1,406 | 7/13 | 9 |
| 2017 Cherokee | very high | 64% | 838 | 1,335 | 8/13 | 6 |
| 2018 Cherokee | very high | 63% | 421 | 686 | 9/13 | 7 |
| 2019 Cherokee | very high | 73% | 1,164 | 1,648 | 4/13 | 11 |
| 2020 Cherokee | very high | 72% | 217 | 309 | 6/13 | 3 |
| 2021 Cherokee | very high | 74% | 116 | 166 | 2/13 | 4 |
| 2022 Cherokee | very high | 77% | 34 | 51 | 1/13 | 3 |
| 2023 Cherokee | too few to score | – | 2 | 3 | – | 1 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Jeep Cherokee years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Jeep Cherokee engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns on the Jeep Cherokee involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 56 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2011 | 11V487000 | engine and engine cooling | 2012 |
| May 2013 | 13V175000 | power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive) | 2010 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V676000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system | 2015 |
| May 2016 | 16V284000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V287000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2016 |
| Jul 2016 | 16V529000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2014–2015 |
| Oct 2017 | 17E061000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger | 2012–2013 |
| Oct 2017 | 17V670000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2018 |
| May 2018 | 18V282000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2018 |
| May 2018 | 18V344000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2019 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V492000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2019 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V494000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2018 |
| Oct 2018 | 18V739000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2019 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V447000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2014 |
| Jun 2020 | 20V343000 | power train: driveline: differential unit | 2014–2017 |
| May 2021 | 21V310000 | power train: automatic transmission: cooler/radiator: hoses and fittings | 2021 |
| Apr 2023 | 23V302000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2016–2017 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V011000 | power train | 2017–2019 |
| May 2026 | 26V290000 | power train | 2019–2022 |
37 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2009 | 09V454000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2010 |
| Jan 2010 | 10V009000 | service brakes, hydraulic | 2010 |
| Mar 2010 | 10V085000 | equipment | 2010 |
| May 2010 | 10V200000 | electrical system: ignition: module | 2010 |
| Mar 2014 | 14V104000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 2012–2013 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V154000 | service brakes | 2011–2013 |
| Jun 2014 | 14V293000 | vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal | 2014 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V391000 | electrical system: wiring | 2011–2013 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V392000 | suspension: rear: shock absorber | 2014 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V530000 | electrical system | 2011 |
| Oct 2014 | 14V634000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2012–2013 |
| Jan 2015 | 15V041000 | air bags: side/window | 2014–2015 |
| Feb 2015 | 15V115000 | electrical system | 2012–2013 |
| Jun 2015 | 15V393000 | structure: body: hatchback/liftgate | 2014–2015 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V461000 | equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 2014–2015 |
| Aug 2015 | 15V509000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer | 2014 |
| Dec 2015 | 15V826000 | electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2015 | 15V879000 | electrical system: wiring | 2011–2013 |
| Aug 2016 | 16V590000 | seats | 2014–2016 |
| Nov 2016 | 16V799000 | air bags: knee bolster | 2017 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V435000 | electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2012–2013 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V543000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017–2018 |
| Sep 2017 | 17V572000 | service brakes | 2011–2013 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V824000 | equipment | 2014–2016 |
| May 2018 | 18V332000 | electrical system: wiring | 2014–2018 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V523000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2019 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V524000 | electrical system: wiring: front underhood | 2018–2019 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V917000 | electrical system: instrument cluster/panel | 2019 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V248000 | seats | 2019 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V449000 | air bags | 2019 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V637000 | steering: rack and pinion: rack | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V813000 | electrical system | 2011–2013 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V191000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V657000 | suspension: front: control arm: lower arm | 2021 |
| May 2023 | 23V338000 | electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk | 2014–2016 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V239000 | exterior lighting: turn signal | 2022 |
| Jul 2024 | 24V516000 | air bags: side/window: curtain | 2021–2022 |
What the free pages leave out on the Jeep Cherokee
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Jeep Cherokee
What are the worst years for the Jeep Cherokee?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Jeep Cherokee years are the 2022 (77% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2021 (74% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2014 (73% of relevant complaints, very high). 12 of 13 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Jeep Cherokee?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Jeep Cherokee years are the 2013 (30%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 13 scored years, 8,193 of 13,938 relevant NHTSA complaints (59%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Is the Jeep Cherokee reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 12 of 13 Jeep Cherokee years we score have an elevated complaint share and 1 do not. Pooled across those years, 59% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Jeep Cherokee?
Yes. NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Jeep Cherokee years we track, out of 56 in total: 23V302000 (Apr 2023, 2016–2017), 25V011000 (Apr 2025, 2017–2019), 26V290000 (May 2026, 2019–2022), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.