CarBrief

NHTSA has 2,650 owner complaints for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, more than any other Cherokee year in our data[1][2]. Complaints are most often filed under the power train group, and the model year has 13 recalls[3][2].

2,650owner complaints[1]
13recalls[2]
20–25MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 2,650 owner complaints for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee[1]. Of those, 56 mention a crash, 16 a fire and 39 an injury, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name more than one part of the car.

The power train group has the most complaints, with 1,471[3]. Half of the power train complaints with a mileage came in at 33,828 miles or less[3]. 19 of them mention a crash, 7 a fire and 9 an injury[3].

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[3] 1,471 33,828
Engine[6] 524 40,000
Electrical system[7] 449 40,000
Unknown or other[8] 284 46,000
Brakes[9] 211 51,418
Fuel/propulsion system[10] 186 48,250
Speed control[11] 185 25,937
Steering[12] 119 27,000

Speed control and steering have the lowest median mileages in that table, at 25,937 and 27,000 miles[11][12]. Their complaint counts are much smaller than the power train count[11][12][3].

What owners describe. We read a small sample of 12 complaint texts for each of four groups[3][6][7][9]. This is not a share of all owners.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2014 model year[2]. Newest first:

The recall facts we have do not say whether any single car has had its repairs done. Ask the seller for proof of completed recall repairs.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2014 Cherokee all use regular fuel and a 9-speed automatic[26][4]. Combined ratings run from 20 to 25 MPG depending on engine and drive[27][4].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl[4] 21 / 30 / 25 $2,700
4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl[28] 21 / 28 / 23 $2,900
4WD Active Drive II, 2.4L 4-cyl[29] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Trailhawk 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl[30] 19 / 25 / 22 $3,050
FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl[26] 19 / 28 / 22 $3,050
4WD, 3.2L 6-cyl[31] 19 / 26 / 22 $3,050
4WD Active Drive II, 3.2L 6-cyl[32] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,200
Trailhawk 4WD, 3.2L 6-cyl[27] 18 / 25 / 20 $3,350

EPA fuel costs use today's fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2WD version 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[5]. Its rollover risk is 17.4%[5]. The 4WD version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 16.9%[33].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.4L 4-cylinder rated at 184 hp and a 3.2L 6-cylinder rated at 271 hp[34][35]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Measure FWD variant AWD variant
Length[36][37] 182 in 182 in
Width[36][37] 73 in 73 in
Height[36][37] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[36][37] 106 in 106 in
Curb weight[36][37] 3,774 lb 4,105 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

1995: 608 complaints, 6 recalls19951996: 447 complaints, 6 recalls1997: 390 complaints, 4 recalls19971998: 399 complaints, 5 recalls1999: 366 complaints, 2 recalls19992000: 369 complaints, 1 recalls2001: 229 complaints, 2 recalls20012014: 2,650 complaints, 13 recalls2,65020142015: 1,792 complaints, 11 recalls20152016: 1,411 complaints, 9 recalls2017: 1,337 complaints, 6 recalls20172018: 687 complaints, 7 recalls2019: 1,669 complaints, 11 recalls20192020: 328 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 176 complaints, 4 recalls20212022: 51 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 3 complaints, 1 recalls20232026: 8 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cherokee model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19956086
19964476
19973904
19983995
19993662
20003691
20012292
20142,65013
20151,79211
20161,4119
20171,3376
20186877
20191,66911
20203283
20211764
2022513
202331
202684

NHTSA's counts for each Cherokee model year put 2014 first on both measures. It has 2,650 complaints and 13 recalls[2]. The next highest for complaints are 2015 with 1,792 and 2019 with 1,669[2]. For recalls, 2015 and 2019 each have 11[2].

These counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so a bigger count does not prove a car is worse. It does show that 2014 has the longest paper trail of any year listed[2].

Should you buy a used 2014 Cherokee?

The 2014 Cherokee has more complaints and more recalls than any other Cherokee year in our data[2]. The power train group leads the complaints, and 8 of the 12 power train complaints we sampled describe shifting trouble[3]. ...[13][14][15][19]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they do not make every car a problem[1][2]. If you are looking at one, run its VIN on NHTSA's recall page and ask for proof the recall repairs were done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
By complaint count, the power train group leads with 1,471 of 2,650 complaints, followed by engine with 524 and electrical system with 449[1][3][6][7]. In a sample we read, owners describe rough shifting and sudden loss of power[3].
How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2014 model year[2]. They include a power liftgate fire recall (23V338), a power transfer unit recall (20V343) and two transmission recalls (19V447 and 16V529)[13][14][15][19].
What gas mileage does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee get?
EPA combined ratings run from 20 MPG (Trailhawk 4WD, 3.2L) to 25 MPG (FWD, 2.4L)[27][4]. The FWD 2.4L is rated 21 city and 30 highway[4].
How safe is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall in both 2WD and 4WD, with 5 stars for side crashes[5][33].
Is the 2014 Cherokee a worse year than other Cherokee years?
It has the most complaints (2,650) and recalls (13) of any Cherokee year in NHTSA's counts[2]. Those counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 2,650 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee (56 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 39 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Cherokee model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 1,471 complaints name the power train component group (19 crashes, 7 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,828). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Cherokee FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 524 complaints name the engine component group (8 crashes, 7 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 449 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 9 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 284 complaints name the unknown or other component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 211 complaints name the brakes component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,418). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 186 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 185 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,937). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 119 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 23V338, filed May 11, 2023: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 20V343, filed June 11, 2020: Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V447, filed June 13, 2019: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 17V824, filed December 21, 2017: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V590, filed August 10, 2016: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 16V529, filed July 12, 2016: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 15V509, filed August 12, 2015: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 15V461, filed July 23, 2015: Equipment › Electrical › Radio / Tape Deck / Cd Etc.. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 15V393, filed June 22, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 15V041, filed January 28, 2015: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  24. Recall 14V392, filed July 2, 2014: Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber. NHTSA recall database
  25. Recall 14V293, filed June 4, 2014: Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control. NHTSA recall database
  26. EPA rating for Cherokee FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. EPA rating for Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  28. EPA rating for Cherokee 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  29. EPA rating for Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  30. EPA rating for Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  31. EPA rating for Cherokee 4WD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  32. EPA rating for Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  33. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  34. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Jeep Cherokee with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov
  35. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Jeep Cherokee with 3.2L 6-cylinder: rated 271 hp. www.epa.gov
  36. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHEROKEE SPORT/NORTH/LIMITED FWD: length 182 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,774 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  37. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHEROKEE SPORT/NORTH/TRAILHAWK/LIMITED AWD: length 182 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,105 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.