Jeep Cherokee Years to Avoid: What Experts Recommend

Key Highlights

• The Jeep Cherokee has certain model years, like 2014, 2015, and 2019, that come with significant reliability issues. These cherokee model years show some common problems.
• A main problem in these jeep cherokee model years is transmission issues. A lot of people feel the shifting is rough. A few have transmission failures where it stops working.
• A good number of owners find electrical problems in these model years, too. The infotainment system glitches for many. Sometimes, there are bigger electrical system failures.
• Engine problems can happen with these jeep cherokee model years. The car may just shut off or lose power while you drive. This is something some owners talk about.
• Repair costs for these model years are high. There are several safety recalls because of these common problems.

The Jeep Cherokee is a popular pick in the SUV market. A lot of people like it because of the rugged design and the good performance it gives. But if you want to get a used one, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. Not all model years are the same. Some have common problems. Most people talk about transmission issues and engine problems.

This guide will help you see which Jeep Cherokee model years to stay away from. You will read about the common problems in these years. It will help you feel better and more confident when you go to choose a used Jeep Cherokee.

Jeep Cherokee Years to Avoid and Why They Made the List

The Jeep Cherokee has been a good choice for many people, but not every model year is the same. Some jeep cherokee models have had trouble. A few years stand out because they have big reliability problems. The issues can lead to costly repairs. A lot of trouble comes from the transmission, engine, and the electrical system. Sometimes, electrical system failures make things even harder for anyone who has these jeep cherokee model years.

Many people talk about the same problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and consumer reports support these claims with their data. Because of this, these SUV models should be avoided. It helps to know which years and models have issues and why, so you can choose a good SUV. Next, we will tell you about the models that have given their owners the most trouble.

1. 2014 Jeep Cherokee – Transmission and Electrical Concerns

If you want to know which model year to watch out for with the Jeep Cherokee, look at the 2014. It was the first year for the KL version. That year had a lot of problems with the car. The reliability scores from J.D. Power for 2014 are the lowest. This means there could be a big chance the car will need repairs. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee got more than 2,500 NHTSA complaints and had 13 recalls. These numbers show there are a lot of issues with it.

Many people felt unsure when the nine-speed automatic transmission first came out. A lot of owners talk about transmission problems. Some drivers feel rough shifting in the car. Others say the car may lurch or jerk. A few even get transmission failures when the car has low miles. All of these issues can make driving feel up and down and stressful for people.

The 2014 model had more problems than just the engine. A lot of people said there were electrical problems in the car. The Uconnect infotainment system had a big software issue. This could let someone take control of the car from far away. A fix was put in, but the model still had electrical system failures. Because of this, it may be risky for potential buyers who want an SUV from the suv market. People should be careful, since the electrical system could cause trouble.

2. 2015 Jeep Cherokee – Recurring Engine and Tech Issues

The 2015 jeep cherokee had many of the same problems as the year before. There were still engine problems and tech glitches from the 2014 model. People said they had to deal with these issues many times. These early fifth generation jeep cherokee SUVs were known for having big problems that were not fixed yet. So, if you want to get one used, it could be a risk.

Engine issues happened a lot in the 2015 jeep cherokee. Many people said the engine could stall or lose power all of a sudden. This made it feel risky to drive on the road. The nine-speed automatic transmission was another big problem. A lot of drivers talked about rough shifting and transmission failures. All these troubles with the powertrain are why the 2015 jeep cherokee is thought to be one of the worst years for this car.

The infotainment system in the car and the other electronics had many problems. People found that there were glitches and freezes. Some had electrical problems too. These problems made it not as good to spend time in the car. Build quality and reliability were not strong, so it is best to avoid the 2015 Cherokee.

3. 2019 Jeep Cherokee – High Repair Costs and Safety Recalls

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is one that people say you should not buy. Even though it is a new car, it can be hard on you and your wallet. A lot of owners talk about problems with the power system in this model. Many say you will have to pay high repair costs, which isn’t good.

Some owners feel their jeep cherokee can shut off while they drive. Others say it loses power fast. A few think this is because of trouble with the transmission or maybe the wiring harness.

This model year had some safety recalls. These recalls took care of big issues. A few were about the transmission controllers, and some were because of brake performance. These problems show that there could be gaps in the build quality. If the car was not under warranty, people had to pay for costly repairs.

Drivers said there be a big problem not just with how the car runs. There be also trouble with the instrument panel and other things inside. These problems often be about electrical problems in the car. When you add that to all the safety recalls, the 2019 Cherokee does not seem good for people who want to buy it.

Recall Issue	Potential Consequence
Faulty Voltage Regulator	Engine stalling or power loss
Transmission Calibration	Unexpected shifting or loss of drive
Insufficient Brake Caliper Coating	Reduced brake performance
Steering Gear Assembly	Loss of steering control

4. 2012 Jeep Cherokee – Reliability and Maintenance Problems

The 2012 jeep cherokee, known as the jeep liberty in north america, has some common problems. A lot of people who own this vehicle say it has trouble with its mechanical and electrical parts. If you plan to buy one, it is good to know about these issues before you make a choice.

One thing that many owners worried about with these Jeep vehicles was the Totally Integrated Power Module, or TIPM. When the TIPM did not work the way it should, this caused the electrical system to have many problems. You might find the engine does not start right, or the fuel pump stops working. Sometimes, the engine could stall without warning. A lot of people said that electrical problems with the electrical system were why they did not feel good about their vehicles. It could also be expensive to find the problem and fix these electrical system failures.

Some people who own these cars say there can be engine problems and electrical issues. These can lead to more costly repairs over time. A 2012 model may need more work, especially when it gets older. It’s best to buy only if it has all the service records. This way, you can check if things like engine problems and electrical issues have already been taken care of.

5. 2016 Jeep Cherokee – Electronic and Powertrain Complaints

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is one year you should avoid. People had problems with the electronics and the powertrain in this model. The big problems from the 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokee models were still there in 2016. The manufacturer did not fix these significant reliability issues yet. A lot of owners talked about these issues. You should be careful if you think about getting the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.

Powertrain problems kept happening, mostly with the nine-speed automatic transmission. A lot of people said they had transmission issues. Some said the gears changed roughly, and the transmission did not feel right. This made driving feel bad. Sometimes, the transmission stopped working completely. This led to very costly repairs.

Many people said the 2016 Cherokee had lots of electrical system problems. A lot of the trouble was with the infotainment system. People found glitches and errors in it. Some also saw the electrical system fail in other ways, which could make the SUV less safe. These problems could change how the car runs.

Owners talked about issues with the electronic stability control. Some had trouble with other advanced safety features as well. Because of these electrical system failures, this SUV was not a good pick for anyone looking for a safe and reliable family car.

Common Problems in Jeep Cherokee Years to Avoid

When you look at the model years of the Jeep Cherokee with common problems, you start to notice the same issues over and over. Many people say these cherokee model years are not good to own. The big problems come from the transmission, engine, and electrical system. A lot of owners talk about having transmission issues. They also say there are engine problems and trouble with the electrical system. This is why some model years of the Jeep Cherokee have a bad reputation.

These are not small problems. With a Jeep Cherokee, things like engine stalling or when the whole transmission stops working can make people worried. It can also be very expensive to fix these problems. It’s good to know about the common issues in the Jeep Cherokee before you buy a used one. This helps you to know what to look for when you check out the SUV. Here are the three main things that people often have trouble with.

Transmission Failures and Shifting Issues

One well-known problem in some Jeep Cherokee model years is the automatic transmission. Many of the KL generation Cherokee model years used a nine-speed transmission. The first years for this type faced a lot of trouble. Many people who drove these cars had transmission problems. This made the Jeep Cherokee feel not safe and unreliable for the road.

Many drivers see transmission issues happen in some ways. You might feel rough shifting when you move between gears. This is be a common problem, and it can make your ride feel jerky. That is not good. In some cases, the car will flip into neutral by itself. You feel a loss of power. This is big, and if it happens at highway speeds, it can be unsafe.

Some people said their cars had transmission failures. This is costly to fix. If you have a used Cherokee and want to take it for a test drive, be careful if it’s from a year to avoid. Look at how the transmission works. Watch for these warning signs:

• Jerky or rough gear changes
• Hesitation or delay when accelerating
• Unexpectedly shifting into neutral
• Sudden loss of driving power

Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption, and Overheating

Some Jeep Cherokee model years do not just have transmission issues. They also have many engine problems. The engine issues in these Cherokee model years can cause poor performance. There is also the risk of total engine failure. A lot of people say this costs them a lot of money and it’s not safe. A common problem people report with Jeep Cherokee model years is engine stalling. Many owners complain about that.

This problem happens when the engine shuts off fast while the car is still going. It can be scary, mostly if it happens at highway speeds. A sudden loss of power can put people in danger, especially with other cars on the road. Often, this comes from trouble in the electrical system or things called powertrain parts. No matter why it happens, drivers may find themselves in a risky or unsafe place.

The information here is about engine stalling and times when the engine does not work. But this is just one thing that shows there could be a bigger problem with how the engine works. People who want to buy the used Cherokee need to be careful if it does not run well or if it has had engine repairs. There are some engine problems that you need to watch out for:

• The engine can cut off while you drive.
• You might feel it when there is a quick loss of power.
• Your engine can feel rough or sputter as you go.
• Lights for the engine or oil pressure can show on the dashboard.

Electrical System Malfunctions and Dashboard Errors

The third main group of common issues in the worst jeep cherokee years is electrical system failures. These problems are often hard to find and fix. You may see troubles with small things for convenience, or with big parts in the car that help it work right. A lot of people say the Uconnect infotainment system gives them trouble. For many owners of jeep cherokee, electrical system problems are some of the most annoying.

Many owners say they often see errors and problems on the dashboard. They notice the screen can freeze. Sometimes, the dashboard does not work or it restarts by itself with no reason. In some cars, the whole screen for speed and gas level starts to act strange or turns off. This can leave a driver without knowing how fast they are going or if they need to fill up gas.

These electrical problems can be more than just trouble in the dashboard. Bad wiring and a faulty alternator are often to blame for electrical issues. A broken power module, like the TIPM, can also give you big electrical problems. You might find that the engine does not start. Sometimes, it will stop when you drive. When you want to buy a used Cherokee, test every electronic part. Make sure to look for any warning lights. You may see common electrical problems like these:

• The infotainment screen can stop working. It might freeze and not respond.
• Sometimes, dashboard warning lights come on but there is no real problem.
• The panel drivers look at for info while on the road can just go dark.
• Some people get trouble with power windows, locks, or seats not working right.

Conclusion

Picking a jeep cherokee can be good. You need to know which years to avoid, since some have common issues. The main problems are electrical problems and transmission failures. When you have this info, you can make a better choice about what to buy. Look for models that be reliable, and check their advanced safety features. Make sure to see how they work overall. It helps to read consumer reports and check for nhtsa complaints. This way, you get the best info to pick the right jeep cherokee. Knowing these things can help you go for one that suits you and keeps you away from costly repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Jeep Cherokee year is considered the least reliable?

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has had many problems. A lot of people noticed transmission and electrical issues with this jeep cherokee. If you want to get a used one, read more about it first. This can help you avoid problems later.

Are older Jeep Cherokee models more reliable than newer ones?

Older Jeep Cherokee models are known for their good build quality. They often use simple technology, so you get fewer problems with them. At the same time, newer Jeep Cherokee models come with advanced safety features and better fuel efficiency. Some people might worry about how long the new ones last. Still, these updates can make them a good choice. What you like most will help you decide which one to get.

What should I check when buying a used Jeep Cherokee to avoid problematic years?

When you want to buy a used Jeep Cherokee, be sure to read the vehicle history report. It will show if the car has had any accidents. You should also check the maintenance records for any signs of trouble. Look for common issues that happen in some model years. Take some time to look over the engine, transmission, and electrical systems. This can help you catch any problems before you get the car.