2019
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2001 2000

Jeep Cherokee

Unlock Ratings
Jeep has refreshed the Cherokee, giving it a face-lift, additional creature comforts, and a new turbocharged engine option. But despite those improvements, it’s still a mediocre model -- with little to like -- in a popular and competitive segment. It still suffers from an uncooperative transmission, a stiff ride, and mundane handling.
Alerts
There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2019
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2001 2000

Jeep Cherokee

Reliability
See All
Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
NA
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Side and head protection air bags standard. FCW, AEB, BSW, and RCTW standard from 2021.
Road Test

Jeep has refreshed the Cherokee, giving it a face-lift, additional creature comforts, and a new turbocharged engine option. But despite those improvements, it’s still a mediocre model -- with little to like -- in a popular and competitive segment.

It still suffers from an uncooperative transmission, a stiff ride, and mundane handling. And the new optional engine doesn’t help this SUV much, as it feels lethargic and sounds more like a piece of farm equipment.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
4WD, AWD, Front
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 9-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 turbo (270 hp)
  • 2.4-liter 4 (180 hp)
  • 3.2-liter V6 (271 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2019 Jeep Cherokee owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Apple CarPlay

"We experienced a specific problem with my iPhone not being able to change time zones while connected to the vehicle via USB. We drove from Michigan to Chicago and the phone does not change zones in either direction. The phone has to be disconnected and restarted to update to the correct time zone. This ONLY happens while connected to the vehicle via USB."

Anonymous, MI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Display screen freezes up

"We experienced EXTREME cold (-40 wind chill) and the touch screen stopped working. The climate control system does not have any way to be controlled without the touch screen so we were exposed to the extreme cold during the drive. Other functions of the vehicle were also affected. The vehicle doors would not unlock. This was an electronic problem, not mechanically frozen."

Anonymous, MI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)

"Display screen freezes, requests passcode entry but no passcode has been needed/ created. Unable to use any features of entertainment system when this happens."

Anonymous, CT (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Display screen goes blank

"After startup the display screen displays horizontal lines and freezes. It will return to normal after 10-15 minutes and a car power down and restart."

Anonymous, SC (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"The screen simply stopped working."

Anonymous, MI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 3.2-L V6)

"Software installed at factory was out of date. New version was installed by the dealer under warranty."

Anonymous, SD (2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"8 in dash computer had to be replaced"

Anonymous, OH (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Hardware replacement

"dash cluster replaced under warranty. info center replaced under warranty"

Anonymous, OH (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"I don't like that I have to choose a primary phone to work while driving. I would like both of our phones to work at the same time......like Toyota's"

Anonymous, PA (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited Unsure)
Radio

"Harsh noise when certain music or speech is on"

Miles D., AL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Software update fixes

"The touch screen started intermittently behaving as if someone was rapidly and randomly touching it all over the screen. Seemed like it would have to be a hardware issue, but it was completely fixed by a software update. Clearly, people have forgotten how to program computers. It is ridiculous."

Anonymous, OR (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
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Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

"When I am stopping for a light or a stop sign the transmission has a problem downshifting. It seems like it's searching for a lower gear and it makes the car "jump""

Anonymous, SC (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Slipping transmission

"Minor slippage during the first & second shifts which Began about 2-3 months after leasing. I complained to the dealer about it every time I took it in for maintenance during the first 2 years of ownership and, except for the last time, was always told the transmission was working normally. They even told me they test drove it, however the mileage was the same when I picked up the vehicle as it was when I dropped it off for service. Then, at my 2 year anniversary of ownership when it was in for routain maintenance, I again complained as usual, and this time dealt with a service writer who took the time and discovered that a software update had been available for the transmission, and had it performed. The transmission has now been working satisfactorily since the software update was performed in March 2020. (Also, this survey did not offer March as an option of when I leased, so I chose April. But, I in fact leased it in march 2018)."

Anonymous, NY (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)

"Transmission slips out of gear, disallows shifting, freezes vehicle mid cycle. This has happened both on downhill, uphill and flat surfaces, twice in traffic."

Anonymous, CT (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Transmission computer

"It was recalled my mileage from 31 to 28 then recalled again to 26."

Anonymous, FL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"We have had recurring 'service shifter' messages, as well as transfer errors (unable to complete shift) . The issues are currently unresolved, and being pursued as a Lemon Law issue."

Anonymous, WA (2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Water was coming into the cabin of the vehicle via the wheel well causing wetness of the carpet which , in turn, caused mold and mildew. . I was not aware of the issue until the interior windows were consistently covered in condensation and ice."

Anonymous, NJ (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Seals and/or weather-stripping

"water in the back lights automatic trunk won't go down happened twice"

Harvey M., FL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Squeaks or rattles

"Squeak/Rattle under dash at different speeds"

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland 3.2-L V6)
Wind noise

"The Jeep Cherokee is the worst car I have ever had. The seats are very uncomfortable and wear you out on a long drive. Any bumps in the road come right through to your body. There is no suspension buffer. The engine noise and the fan noise drown out the cabin interior. You can't understand the radio even on high volume. It's difficult to enter and exit due to its low silhouette. After you've been in it a while either in town or on the highway, you want to scream and get out. There is no comfort level on this car."

Anonymous, PA (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
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Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Exterior lights (other than headlights)

"The driver side rear brake light has stopped working. Because this is an LED unit, I can't just buy a cheap bulb to quickly and inexpensively fix it myself. That isn't progress."

Anonymous, OR (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"already discussed water in back lights"

Harvey M., FL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Heated or cooled seats

"Started within 1 month of purchasing. It's happens around 40-50% of time on starting. Have taken in for service 3-4. This is still not working."

Anonymous, MI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland 3.2-L V6)

"Seat Memory module would not pair with Key FOBs"

Anonymous, MI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2-L V6)
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Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Battery (not hybrid or electric)

"See previous comments."

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Engine stopped working because of loose battery cable"

Anonymous, QC (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Spark plugs or wires failure

"The wiring in the engine compartment was chewed thru by rats. The wiring is coated in a soy based insulation that rodents love. I understand this is causing multiple problems on new cars and hydraulic hoses on RV's. The warranty specifically did not cover the damage and it cost us about $800 to get it fixed. We purchased this car to be towed behind a motor-home. It is one of the few cars you can do that with."

Anonymous, FL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Engine computer

"Car turns motor off when oil is low without warning. Oil useage can be excessive but is not predictable (have to check every other day). Has gone low 1 quart of oil sometimes with 500+/- miles and sometimes up to 2000+/- miles. Auto start system has failed at times. Dealer unable to diagnose since the computer is not recording the indicator light when it comes on. Dealer not sure if the problem is the battery, the starter or the computer. Will only check again is it happens again or if it happens to be in the shop for other work."

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"The car would stutter or hesitate when accelerating from a stop. They flashed the computer but it still does it sometimes. They said the computer is still adjusting to my driving style. I do not believe them."

Anonymous, WI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)
Engine knock or ping

"4 cylinder engine showed no oil after 1500 miles."

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Unsure 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Differential

"Binding when turning. Tech found low differential fluid from factory and metal shavings in differential"

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Driveshaft or axle

"Noise that hard to identify. Finally noticed the noise occurred during a downshift of the transmission. Car was at the dealer off and on for a total of 3 weeks."

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Unsure 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Transfer case

"Replaced due to binding when turning. They couldn't determine if it was just differential so they replaced transfer case too."

Anonymous, (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"Start/Stop switch disconnected a minimum of four times First two they said nothing was wrong & the last two of which I drove straight to dealer w/o turning of the engine & it's code said the hood was open. It was not open. Hood latch replaced & then it went off again. Same problem, different part of latch. Fixed again."

Anonymous, FL (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"defective part was replaced by dealer"

Anonymous, WI (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Antilock system (ABS)

"Breaking system had air gaps in it that was identified by a warranty recall."

Anonymous, GA (2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2-L V6)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"It is not a comfortable car to drive or travel in. The suspension beats you up. The fan noise is overwhelming. The wind noise is excessive."

Anonymous, PA (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Fuel pump

"just quit on a busy street"

Anonymous, NS (2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 3.2-L V6)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"The first hot day we had we turned on the air cond but no cool air came out. It was a part problem that was under warranty & they gave me a loaner car."

Anonymous, NC (2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2-L V6)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

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