Jeep Cherokee recall history and complaint patterns
151 recall campaigns and 20108 complaints in official NHTSA data for the Jeep Cherokee (1973–2023). The most commonly reported problem areas are Power train, Electrical system, Engine.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Jeep Cherokee. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Jeep Cherokee, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1973–2023 with 151 recall campaigns and 20108 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2014 (13), 2015 (11), and 2019 (10).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2014 (3904), 2015 (2606), and 2019 (2085).
- Top recall themes: Brakes, Powertrain, and Other.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Power train, Electrical system, Engine.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
15 campaigns · Years: 1974, 1976, 1985–1987, 1989–1999, 2019These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Powertrain
15 campaigns · Years: 1979–1980, 1982, 1984, 2014–2019, 2021These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Other
11 campaigns · Years: 1975–1976, 1978, 1981, 1985–1987, 1989–1990, 2014, 2020These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Electrical
7 campaigns · Years: 1975–1976, 1994–1998, 2014–2019These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Fuel and emissions
7 campaigns · Years: 1975, 1986–1987, 1997, 2000–2001, 2018These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Steering and suspension
7 campaigns · Years: 1984–1987, 1993–1996, 2014, 2019–2021These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Airbags
6 campaigns · Years: 1995, 1997–1999, 2014–2015, 2017, 2019, 2021–2022These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Seats and restraints
6 campaigns · Years: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2014–2016, 2019These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Common Problems in NHTSA Data
Across all model years, the most commonly reported problem areas for the Jeep Cherokee in NHTSA complaint data are Power train, Electrical system, Engine.
How to read NHTSA complaint data to research common problems →
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Parking brake, Power train. |
| 2022 | 2 | 53 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2021 | 3 | 153 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2020 | 2 | 282 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2019 | 10 | 2085 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2018 | 7 | 921 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2017 | 6 | 1825 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2016 | 9 | 1972 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2015 | 11 | 2606 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2014 | 13 | 3904 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2006 | 0 | 18 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system. |
| 2001 | 2 | 329 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Suspension. |
| 2000 | 1 | 508 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system. |
| 1999 | 2 | 516 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 1998 | 5 | 553 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Air bags. |
| 1997 | 4 | 496 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic, Fuel system, other. |
| 1996 | 6 | 584 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 1995 | 6 | 732 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure, Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1994 | 5 | 618 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure, Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1993 | 3 | 571 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Structure, Power train. |
| 1992 | 1 | 175 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Power train. |
| 1991 | 5 | 297 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Seat belts. |
| 1990 | 5 | 368 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 1989 | 3 | 287 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 1988 | 0 | 118 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Seat belts, Electrical system. |
| 1987 | 5 | 72 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling, Steering. |
| 1986 | 4 | 26 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Suspension, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1985 | 3 | 24 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling, Tires. |
| 1984 | 3 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1981 | 2 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats. |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires. |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1978 | 2 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1976 | 4 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1975 | 5 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1974 | 3 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Power train and Electrical system
Other Jeep Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Jeep models.
- CJ-5 1981–1983
- CJ-6 1981–1982
- CJ-7 1981–1986
- Comanche 1986–1992
- Commander 2006–2010
- Compass 2006–2027
- Gladiator 2020–2027
- Grand Cherokee 1993–2027
- Grand Cherokee L 2021–2027
- Grand Wagoneer 1984–2027
- J-10 1981–1988
- J-20 1981–1988
- Liberty 1993–2013
- Patriot 2007–2018
- Renegade 2015–2027
- Wagoneer 1981–2025
- Wagoneer S 2024–2027
- Wrangler 1986–2027
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.