The Jeep Cherokee (KL) is a compact crossover SUV with unibody construction that revived the Cherokee name for the 2014 model year after it replaced the Jeep Liberty. It was offered with front-wheel drive or several four-wheel-drive systems, including the off-road Trailhawk version. Production of this model ended after the 2023 model year. Below, each Jeep Cherokee model year from 2014 to 2023 sits on the same scale, which makes the noisy years and the quiet years easy to spot.
Jeep Cherokee by model year
Complaints per 100,000 sold. Red: more than twice the model average. Green: the fewest, among years at least three years old.
| Year | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Recalls | Top system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1485 | 2,650 | 13 | Transmission | Most complaints |
| 2015 | 814 | 1,794 | 11 | Transmission | |
| 2016 | 707 | 1,413 | 9 | Transmission | |
| 2017 | 788 | 1,338 | 6 | Transmission | |
| 2018 | 287 | 688 | 7 | Transmission | |
| 2019 | 874 | 1,673 | 11 | Transmission | |
| 2020 | 246 | 334 | 3 | Transmission | Fewest |
| 2021 | 197 | 176 | 4 | Transmission | Fewest |
| 2022 | 129 | 52 | 3 | Transmission | Fewest |
| 2023 | partial year | 3 | 1 | Transmission |
Why these years stand out
2014: most complaints. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee scored 1485 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2.1 times the model average. Of its 2,650 complaints, 1,995 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are power train (1,455), engine (516) and electrical system (437). NHTSA lists 13 recalls for this model year and 3 defect investigations.
2020, 2021 and 2022: fewest complaints. The 2020 drew 334 complaints, or 246 per 100,000 sold; The 2021 drew 176 complaints, or 197 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 52 complaints, or 129 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.
What Jeep Cherokee owners report most
Transmission complaints lead for the Jeep Cherokee, at 52% of all complaints for 2014-2023. Engine and transmission reports together make up 73%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.
When problems are reported: mileage
6,079 Jeep Cherokee complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 64% were reported before 50,000 miles and 9% after 100,000. Most reports come early in ownership, which points to problems that show up while the vehicle is still fairly new.
Jeep Cherokee compared with other compact suvs
In 2 of 9 model years the Jeep Cherokee drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average compact suv we track for the same year. For 2022, the Jeep Cherokee scored 129 against a class average of 140. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.
Jeep Cherokee generations
- 2014-2023KL generation
2.4L four; 3.2L V6; 2.0L turbo four (2019-2023) · 9-speed automatic
It was among the first compact SUVs sold with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The 2019 refresh replaced the split headlight design with a more conventional front end and added a 2.0L turbo four. The Trailhawk version adds a locking rear differential and additional ground clearance for off-road use. This Cherokee shares its platform with Fiat-Chrysler models such as the Chrysler 200 sedan.
Jeep Cherokee fuel economy
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is rated at 37 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the setup. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.
Crash test stars
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Jeep Cherokee these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2014: 4, 2015: 4, 2016: 4, 2017: 4, 2018: 4, 2019: 4, 2020: 4, 2021: 4, 2022: 4, 2023: 4. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.
Questions
What is the best year for the Jeep Cherokee?
By complaints filed with NHTSA per 100,000 sold, 2020, 2021 and 2022 had the fewest among model years at least three years old. 2020 scored 246, against a model average of 691.
What years of the Jeep Cherokee have the most complaints?
2014. The 2014 scored 1485 per 100,000 sold, with 1,995 engine or transmission complaints. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
At what mileage do Jeep Cherokee owners report problems?
Across 6,079 complaints that list the odometer reading, 64% were filed before 50,000 miles and 9% after 100,000 miles. These are miles at the time of the reported problem, not how long the vehicle lasts.
How many recalls does the Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 68 recall campaigns across model years 2014-2023 (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year). Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Scores are our calculation, explained on the Method page. Not affiliated with any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaints, recalls, investigations), data through October 2026; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick; fuel economy: U.S. EPA estimates; crash tests: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.