CarComplaints.com Notes: There's no way around it, the Cherokee's transmission is junk. There's no other explanation for why a vehicle, usually with under 40,000 miles, would have so many complaints

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$930
Average Mileage:
39,850 miles
Total Complaints:
52 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (34 reports)
  2. replaced parts (5 reports)
  3. replace engine (3 reports)
  4. recall s55/nhtsa 16v-529 transaxle wiring harness (2 reports)
  5. replace motor (2 reports)
  6. replace transmission (2 reports)
2014 Jeep Cherokee engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #52

Jul 262018

Cherokee 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

JUNK! The vehicle will shut off at any speed. It has happened twice this past month on city roads and once on the highway today. No warnings or lights. Tried trading it in today and has no value. I bought this vehicle in Dec 2017 for 20,000 and today I was offered 11,000. I can not be upside down on a vehicle that much so I'm forced to keep it until I pay it off.

- Richard B., Havre de Grace, US

problem #51

Aug 102018

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I'm just starting the journey into figuring out how to fix this. I owned the car in CO and never had a problem. After I moved to TN, the problem appeared. Could the change of humidity be a problem? Do newer cars have vacuum lines or other similar systems that could be affected?

Once it shuts off, it takes about 10 minutes to restart. At first there are all sorts of flashing lights (see video), then it will be totally dead, then lights are back on but won't crank. Then, it will start and run fine.

One time, I tried to remote start and it didn't, so I went out to try manually and it was totally dead... no lights, nothing. So I used the interior hood release, the alarm went off, all the lights came on. I used the fob to turn the alarm off and then was able to start the car.

So far, it hasn't happened on a highway... only side streets and such so I consider myself lucky. If it can't be fixed soon, however, it will be sold and won't be replaced by another Jeep.

- Angela D., Port Saint Lucie, FL, US

problem #50

May 162019

Cherokee Sport 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

Engine stops while driving on my 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Stalls and dies without warning. 58k miles and I was very diligent with oil changes. It is currently at the dealer again and I will probably be told I need a new engine due to excessive oil burn (which sounds crazy). This is a serious and dangerous systemic problem. Has anyone contacted or started a class action lawsuit?

- Eric A., Roseville, US

problem #49

Mar 092021

Cherokee Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2014 Jeep Cherokee. 3x's within an hour received Shift to Park and select gear error messages, and the vehicle stuttered and/or stalled. This is the first time I've had the issue. I've had a host of other issues related to the transmission since purchasing it, including one occurrence where I was traveling on the highway doing 70+ mph and it stalled dead in the passing lane.

Today this new issue popped up. The first occurrence, I had just filled up with gas and was leaving the parking lot. Exiting the lot I haId to stop at a stoplight. The vehicle stuttered and threw the error, but did not stall. The second occurrence was after the vehicle was parked about 30 minutes as I ran into the grocery store. After starting it, it idled about 5 minutes before it stalled and the error popped. On this same trip, when stopped at a stoplight the vehicle would stutter but not stall as I put it in park and kept my foot on the gas.

There is another occurrence where I was turning around in a cul de sac. The vehicle stuttered a few times but did not stall and the error did not appear. I am going to be contacting the dealership to schedule an appointment to get it in. The plugs were replaced and the fuel system maintenance was done last year.

- B B., Battle Creek, MI, US

problem #48

Dec 092019

Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,017 miles

Engine was cutting off power at 3200 RPM. Dealership claimed that my non-Mopar oil filter was the cause of the broken oil pump. Could not claim part or work onto the warranty...

- jeep2014, Ottawa, ON, Canada

problem #47

Dec 102019

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,610 miles

I feel fortunate that I've been the owner of my 2014 Cherokee since Nov 2014 and have put on 99,612 miles without having a transmission problem (yet).

However, I've been battling what seems to be an unsolvable EVAP system issue and continue to sink money into fixing the issue, which includes costs absorbed by the fantastic shop that has been working with me on it.

Problem is most pronounced after filling up with gas at or near full tank. The Cherokee will run for about 2-3 minutes before the engine sputters and quits. I can get it started, only to have it run rough and quit again. This happens for 10-15 cycles before it runs smoothly again. No check engine light and no diagnostic codes thrown.

Issue appeared to be similar to 'vapor lock'. We first chased a purge valve solenoid failure (confirmed failed) which failed in the open position. This caused tank vapors as the tank filled to be pushed into the charcoal cannister and into the engine unmetered. Because the valve was failed open, at full tank, the vacuum pulled by the engine sucked liquid gas into the charcoal cannister, flooding and trashing it. Charcoal cannister was replaced at the same time as the purge valve.

I drove away happy and confident the issue was fixed. Nope.

Within 10 minutes of driving away both the check engine light illuminated and the fuel tank cap indicator illuminated. The code was U0001 high rate CAN BUS. I called the shop where he told me I might need to replace the fuel cap. He told me with one leak fixed, it may now be leaking at the next weakest link. I replaced the fuel cap for $14 from Mopar and it did not change anything after driving for a week.

Next fill up, the engine sputtered and quit again.

I brought it back to the shop to have them check their work. They said the charcoal cannister may be a bad part and they would replace it under warranty if it was it. Nope. I also had them check that the purge value was operating properly and it was.

Next thing they tried was the leak detection pump. Their diagnostic was 'inconclusive' because the test on the leak detection pump would never finish... it just cycled on repeat without producing a result. To play safe, a couple days later I had them replace the leak detection pump (they went half-way with me on labor and material cost which was very nice of them).

Both the gas cap light and check engine light went off shortly after I drove away. Engine was running fine and I went along again thinking the issue was resolved.

Nope. Next fill up, the engine sputtered and quit again. No check engine light.

I'll be taking it into the shop again on Wednesday (6/3/2020) for them to run more diagnostics.

I'm an engineer and all my senses are telling me multiple component failure (purge valve and leak detection pump), and whatever is causing the same issues should be rare. The leak detection pump should not have caused fuel supply issues unless a seal was broken allowing air to enter the cannister. The purge valve made the most sense by allowing increased supply of fuel vapor to the engine unchecked. Now that it is working, on a cold start the valve should be closed and prevent any built up vapors from entering the engine, even if the vent valve or check valve failed.

I'm concerned that this is a communications system problem allowing a mishandling of the purge valve logic, which should exhibit problems without a full fuel tank where this seems to occur. I do not know how much that will cost to repair. This on top of the added anxiety that I am looking at another 400 miles before my powertrain warranty expires on a vehicle with a timebomb transmission...

If anyone has had similar EVAP system woes, please reach out to me.

- Dylan S., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #46

Jul 112018

Cherokee Latitutude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,031 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On Wednesday July,11th 2018 @ 3:30pm I was driving eastbound on Aloma Ave in Winter Park. I was driving approximately 35 mph. was 4 car lengths away from the car in front of me. She was stopping and I went to stop and noticed my car was no longer running, no dash lights, no computer screen lit. No electric to anything. I tried applying the brakes & they did not work. the steering wheel was locked. I hit the car in front of me with NO slowing down. My car was a dead stick.

After doing research the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Has a known problem for the car turning off while driving leaving the car inoperable. Please find links to said problem & a link for a voluntary recall "meaning that no recall info was sent to owners"

- Theo L., Orlando, US

problem #45

Jul 232014

Cherokee Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport....vehicle has been shutting off since I bought it brand new. I have been taking it to 2 different Jeep dealers to try and correct this problem. Their responses-- "we can't duplicate the problem" so it doesn't exist? "we reset your computer, it won't happen again". So, this has been going on for a while and nobody at Jeep seems to have ever heard of this issue. weird. The last time the Jeep shut off while driving (June 21st, 2018) we lost total control of the vehicle and wound up crashing into another vehicle and totaling our Jeep and doing significant damage to the other vehicle. Called Jeep up immediately after getting copies of all service records from when I brought the vehicle in with the issue. They gave me a case number and said they will have one of their inspectors look at the vehicle. I got another call from Kimberly at Engineering Analysts located somewhere in Michigan I think because she left me a call back # (586) 587-7281 which is a bogus number. you would think with jeep being who they are, they would accept responsibility for these issues. I've been lied to and spun around in circles by this company..DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE.

- Terry G., Scranton, US

problem #44

May 282018

Cherokee Latitude 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,500 miles

Was driving on the freeway going 70 mph and the engine shut down. This was coming home during very busy Memorial weekend. Luckily, we didn't get into an accident and I could move to the shoulder of the road. Talk about scared. My message indicator said to service transmission, and service light stayed on. I waited 5 minutes and restarted it ok. Took it to dealer who later said I had defective valve body. They replaced it and it better not happen again. This 9 speed transmission is not a good one when this happens. Hopefully, it is really fixed.

- Janet T., Sterling Heights, US

problem #43

Jul 012016

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Cars should not allow oil to blow by the piston to improve MPG, but in turn risk Engine damage.

- Leon V., Raynham, MA, US

problem #42

Mar 252017

Cherokee Latitude V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased the 2014 Jeep in 2015 - it had been a loaner at the Jeep service department. Mileage was 14,000. I had the car about a year when I was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike in the left lane, doing 70 mph and it stalled. Luckily it was early on a Saturday so not much traffic and I was able to maneuver over to the shoulder. If this had happened during rush hour I probably would have been killed or seriously injured. I restarted it and drove about 40 more miles and it happened again - on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I brought the vehicle to Jeep and they blamed it on a loose wire. For 9 months everything seemed ok (with the engine stalling - there were other issues and I was back and forth to Jeep numerous times).

December 2017 I was turning into a major road and it stalled out again. The message was "Put Vehicle in Park to shift" and then "Service Transmission". Back to Jeep- this time they replaced a transmission module. Then April 1, 2018, car stalled again with the "Park to Shift" message. Brought car back to Jeep. They were able to witness the problem which was a relief since the diagnostics aren't showing any problems. As I write this, Jeep has had it for 10 days and they tell me they don't have a solution.

I called Chrysler to complain. Of course they don't admit these vehicles have major issues. I told them this is a dangerous, serious issue. The only thing they will do is give me a CDI code which basically is a crappy discount if I purchase a brand new Chrysler vehicle. I am beyond frustrated. I guess they don't care unless I get killed in the vehicle.

- Donna L., Ronkonkoma, NY, US

problem #41

Mar 012017

Cherokee Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

We have a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Bought new from the dealership. There has been one problem after the other; most of them just annoying and covered, but the engine shuts off while driving! It has happened about 5x. We have brought the car in: we got the "it is the oil" excuse-which it was not. They had just serviced it, so they serviced it again and it happened with in a few days. The last time they had the car a week and said the computer needed to be rebooted, took the car back and it happened again within two weeks.

It is extremely dangerous having a car just shut off while driving. We are afraid that someone is going to get into a deadly accident when the car shuts off, so we do not want to drive the car and don't want to sell it to anyone else because it is a hazard to have on the road. We bought the lifetime bumper to bumper coverage so it isn't really costing us money-but we are unwilling to put ourselves and other's lives in danger because the new Jeep has some kind of defect.

If Jeep does not take care of this shutting off issue, at some point there will be a deadly accident and it will become a recall or class action lawsuit.

- 2nd jeep, Richmond, US

problem #40

Nov 232017

Cherokee Latitude

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,900 miles

Was driving to my family's house on Thanksgiving, and all of a sudden my car told me that it needed to be in drive and completely stopped in the middle of the road. My husband and son was able to push it into a parking lot close by, but it would not turnover. My husband tested the battery & it was completely dead. This battery was less than one year old as the first battery had to be replaced when the car was barely a year old. Husband replaced battery & tried to drive home, but about 200 yards from where it broke down the first time it broke down again, so we had it towed to the dealer. Dealer fixed 6 recall items (that's SIX), but said there was nothing wrong with the car. We took it home and seemed to drive ok, but still was not feeling right...so next complaint, it died enroute again today...more to come in next complaint.

- cdmathews, St. Charles, US

problem #39

Nov 302017

Cherokee Latitude

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,900 miles

Complaint #2 one week later. Left for work but forgot to check on something at home, so turned around and made it to the driveway, and car again told me it needed to be in drive, which it was, but it died halfway up the driveway. Tried to take tot he dealer but they wouldn't see us, even though this was the 2nd time in a week it died while enroute. Trying to find another dealer. Don't recommend buying a car from this dealer!

- cdmathews, St. Charles, US

problem #38

Apr 122017

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

The car died one day we had it towed to jeep and we were told that the oil was low and causes the car to not start. the oil change was about two months old at that time and shouldn't have been low enough to shut the car down. So we had the oil changed and it ran ok it has happen at least two more times since then.

- Jim S., Point Pleasant, US

problem #37

Jul 272017

Cherokee Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,750 miles

Purchased used with 36,000 mi. On 20th day of ownership, experienced the feeling of being hit from behind while approaching driveway at low speed. That evening felt same "rear-ended" feeling while sitting still in drive-thru. The car lurched forward so suddenly that had I not had my foot firmly on the brake, we would have hit vehicle in front of us. Simultaneous to "lurch" forward, the car died like the feeling of "popping clutch on manual transmission". Drove home and engine died again at about 5 mph after right turn. Restarted & continued onto street and into driveway. Next morning on my way to work, it felt like it wanted to die and was struggling with gears. I pulled into my parking place and my boss happened to be standing there next to his car. As he stood next to the car while I was in it, it lurched forward again and died. Needless to say he was startled, and again, had I not had my foot firmly on the brake, I could have hit him as well as the brick wall in front of the car. So I started the car again and it died again while in "P". Not cool, headed to service department. I started it AGAIN, and as I started to pull out of the driveway onto a very busy street, the car hesitated (what seemed like a couple of seconds) before it would cross the 2 lanes of oncoming traffic going 40-50 mph. Um, yeah. Scary. A mile or so down the road, it decided to shut down again, this time in the middle of a 3-lane road going about 30 mph and I was almost rear-ended! I restarted and proceeded to service department - no diagnosis there after them keeping the car for 4 days. They sent to Jeep dealer, where it still sits today, waiting for it to act-up and get a diagnosis so it can be "fixed". Jeep has had it 15 days and still no answers.

I had the car 20 days, and the dealer(s) have had it a total of 18. This car is a tragedy waiting to happen....

Update from Nov 14, 2017: UPDATE!!!: Jeep dealer kept car several more days, and I gave permission for tech to PLEASE drive it home every day, knowing sooner or later it would act up. SURE ENOUGH...when the tech finally had to stop for gas after a few days, IT DID IT!!! Stalled while driving!!! So this triggered a memory for the tech that they had worked on a Jeep sometime back and found that it may have been fuel pump, valve, intake related. Upon hearing this, I recalled that the day mine started acting up, it was immediately after I filled it up! So Jeep changed out the fuel intake, valve, tank, etc. as well as something fuel-related under the hood (can't recall without paperwork in front of me). GUESS WHAT?!?! If I'm careful not to fill the gas tank all the way up - just short of "FULL", it doesn't act up! BUT, if I accidentally fill the tank all the way, it "sputters" at stops as if it wants to die until the first couple gallons is burned off...Loooonnnggg story short, it's been great since mid-August, since having several fuel-related parts replaced, and as long as the fuel tank is not filled completely full. Good luck everyone, and stay safe.

- Amy S., Arlington, US

problem #36

Aug 022017

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles

Car stalled in middle of intersection. Thought it was battery or alternator, but confirmed both ok. Towed into dealership and they confirmed the car stalled due to low oil level. I have never had an oil sensor light come on since driving the car. The dealer had to add 3 quarts of oil, and says Chrysler is recommending to bring back after another 1,000 miles to verify consumption. Car had about 5,000 miles since last oil change. Dealer says if problem they know what to do! I asked if this was common issue and they denied this, but then said engine would have to be worked on if consuming too much oil. Wondering if this is common problem with this engine and real concern for loss of power during operation!

Update from Dec 2, 2017: Took car in for 1st and 2nd oil consumption tests after driving 1,000 miles each. In both cases the engine had consumed too much oil prematurely. First test it was down just over 1 quart, and the second test it was down 2.5 quarts. Dealership contacted Chrysler who now wants me to bring car back AGAIN to perform additional tests and try and determine why the engine is consuming too much oil. Dealership says they will need the car for several days and is to provide free loaner. Mechanic says possibly they will need to repair engine or replace? I will drop car off in a couple of weeks for this new inspection. Will update again after this is completed.

Update from Jul 28, 2018: Chrysler did ultimately elect to replace my engine due to the confirmation of premature engine oil consumption. So far things seem to be running OK. I also had them do a software update with transmission during same visit as transmission was not shifting smoothly. This seemed to help somewhat but still have shifting problems as my local dealer says these cars seem to have "herky=jerky" shifting as common operation.

Will update again as more time on new engine. Roughly 3 months so far.

- Walt T., Cumming, US

problem #35

Jun 132017

Cherokee Latitude

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,418 miles

I began having issues with my vehicle stalling and receiving a message saying must apply brake when shifting gears and it was lose power. This occurred while turning onto a side road, thankfully there was not much traffic. It then occurred 2nd time while driving on a state highway. I was using cruise control and it sped up, then slowed down and as I was going down hill lost power again. I was able to coast onto a side road without being hit.

I took it in to the dealership told them what had occurred and told them I had a recall warning of these problems. they did not replace the part FCA recommended, they reset the transaxle unit. The next day not having driven it 1 mile from home I had the same problem. The dealership told me to bring it in and they would do a diagnostic on it. They did this on 6/21/2017, said they didn't see a problem but a tech had driven it and experienced the same problem. He then checked the oil and said it was 3.5 quarts low and told me due to my being "negligent" there was a $95.00 charge.

I drove the car home and it sat in the garage for 4 days. There was no sign of oil leaks but as I drove it approximately 4 miles, the check engine light came on. I checked the oil and it was barely showing on the dipstick. I added a quart just to get it up to the add mark. It is scheduled for an oil change tomorrow morning.

- Cindy P., Eaton, US

problem #34

Apr 012017

Cherokee

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

I already filed compliant about transmission, now engine has been replaced. About 6 months ago car stalled and died on me for 5th time in 2 years. Finally Jeep dealer says there have been problems with oil leaking in these engines. Long story short, they replaced engine .. now 6 months later car dies again, back to dealer check engine light is on and they still don't know what's wrong with the vehicle. What does a person do with a lemon car new transmission new engine and still stalling or won't start .

- debstra53, Long Beach, CA, US

problem #33

Jan 062017

Cherokee Latitude 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

While driving, the vehicle shut down and I received the message on the message center that said "car must be in park in order to shift." The vehicle started again after about 30 minutes and numerous attempts. Fortunately, I was only a couple of blocks from home and returned there.

The following day, I took the car to the dealer who initially thought the problem was related to a trans axle wire harness recall. Ended up being told that they found no oil in the motor, they did an oil change and I should begin an oil consumption test. I should note, I had gone almost 6,000 miles since my last oil change when this occurred and received the "Oil Change Required" message on the message center for the first time that very morning. The dealer told me this is a known problem with this model year and engine.

I asked why I didn't get some type of warning light. Was told that this model does not have a low oil indicator light. I said OK, but it does have an oil pressure light and a check engine light, why wouldn't one of those come on? They had no answer. I started monitoring the oil myself every 250 miles. After I drove 1000 miles, the oil was at the same full level as it was when the oil change occurred. I went back to the dealer and they came to the same conclusion. I was told to come back again in 1000 miles.

I was monitoring the situation for the next 1000 miles and, as of the the day before I took the car in, the oil level dropped about half way down the "full zone". The dealer told me the oil was exactly the same as before and there is nothing wrong with the car. They told me that I should change my oil every 3-4k miles to be safe. This car has synthetic oil and according to the owners manual, I should be able to go until I receive the "Oil Change Required" message which can happen anywhere from 3500-10,000 miles depending on my driving habits. I'm floored! I am fortunate the car stalled while I was driving at a relatively low rate of speed.

I feel like I have no faith in this car. After researching, this is a common problem in this year's model that Jeep is aware of and it sounds like the only solution to the problem is to replace the engine. Clearly Chrysler does not want to own the problem and resolve the problem for it's customers. I feel a problem like this could prove deadly if you are driving at high rates of speed on the highway. This is unacceptable.

- Debbie P., Glendale Heights, US

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?