VehicleVerdict

2019 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,370 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.5 times the median Cherokee year — the 2019 model ranks #3 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 56 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 750 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

2,370

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

0

Investigations

66

Crash-involved

28

Fires reported

56

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted3,958 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 26 complaints1987: 72 complaints1988: 118 complaints1989: 287 complaints1990: 368 complaints1991: 297 complaints1992: 175 complaints1993: 571 complaints1994: 618 complaints1995: 732 complaints1996: 584 complaints1997: 496 complaints1998: 553 complaints1999: 516 complaints2000: 508 complaints2001: 329 complaints2006: 18 complaints2014: 3,958 complaints2015: 2,651 complaints2016: 2,039 complaints2017: 1,919 complaints2018: 988 complaints2019: 2,370 complaints2020: 355 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 68 complaints2023: 4 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission75032%
Engine46119%
Electrical System36615%
Other25311%
Steering1205%
Brakes1095%
Speed Control813%
Driver Assistance502%
Airbags422%
Fuel System412%
Tires & Wheels271%
Body & Structure201%
Lighting181%
Visibility & Wipers110%
Suspension110%
Seat Belts60%
Seats30%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V290000TransmissionMay 7, 2026 · 61,711 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Consequence

A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.

25V011000TransmissionApril 29, 2025 · 63,130 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.

19V637000SteeringAugust 29, 2019 · 5,294 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V99.

19V449000AirbagsJune 13, 2019 · 41,169 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the air bag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the inability to properly detect a crash may result in improper air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected sensors, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V63.

19V248000SeatsMarch 28, 2019 · 253 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the seat may move, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 11, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V31.

18V917000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2018 · 52 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The instrument cluster may fail resulting in a lack of activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges.

Consequence

Without the activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges to provide vehicle information to the driver, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UC4.

18V739000TransmissionOctober 19, 2018 · 86,053 units

Defect

Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.

Consequence

A vehicle stall can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA9.

18V524000Electrical SystemAugust 9, 2018 · 12,779 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Consequence

A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

18V523000BrakesAugust 9, 2018 · 154,335 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

18V492000TransmissionJuly 26, 2018 · 5 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.

Consequence

If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.

18V344000EngineMay 25, 2018 · 14 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The engines in these vehicles may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage. These engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.

Consequence

Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PTU component failure. A loss of drive power increased severity of a crash and injuries. The problem has been confirmed by Jeep dealership service center. The vehicle/component has not yet been inspected. Mechanical grinding noise and loss of drive power, vehicle would continue to stay in motion…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 17, 2025 · crash

“I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON THE 105 FREEWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES PER HOUR, AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD HITTING THE OTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. TIME OF OCCURRENCE WAS JAN 28, 2019 APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2019 · crash

“On [XXX] my 2019 Jeep Cherokee (VIN: [XXX] ) unexpectedly caught fire while [parked/operating — choose one], originating from what appears to be an internal electrical or wiring defect. No modifications, aftermarket parts, or repairs had been made to the engine or wiring since purchase, meaning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 30, 2025 · fire

“RENTED A VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE A JEEP CHEROKEE 2019 WITH ONLY 18,620 MILES. DRIVING NORTH FROM FORT LAUDERDALE TO DAYTONA. AFTER 3HRS ON THE ROAD THE CAR HAD AN ENGINE EXPLOSION. ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STARTS SIGNALING ME AN TELLS ME THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 22, 2020 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, TURNING THE CORNER OF MY STREET WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED, LIGHT SAYING POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICING CAME ON. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE STEERING, HIT THE CURB, IT TOOK OUT A CHUNK OF THE TIRE AND BENT THE RIM. I BACKED UP AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, DROVE CAR DOWN STREET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 31, 2020 · crash

2019 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,370 complaints put the 2019 model at #3 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (750 complaints), engine (461 complaints), electrical system (366 complaints).

Does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2016, 2017, 2018, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997, 1990, 2020, 2001, 1991, 1989, 1992. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.