2019 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has 461 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

461

Engine complaints

19%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Cherokee engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have?

NHTSA has 461 complaints about the 2019 Jeep Cherokee engine — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 18V344000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.