Jeep Cherokee engine problems, 2016–2026
1,297 of the 5,606 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Cherokee 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (470), 2016 (320), 2017 (264). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Cherokee engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 10 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 8 | 16% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 28 | 17% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 47 | 15% | 49k | 57 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 470 | 29% | 18k | 49 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 159 | 23% | 29k | 38 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 264 | 20% | 40k | 46 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 320 | 23% | 42k | 82 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 8 · 2017: 30 · 2018: 160 · 2019: 272 · 2020: 206 · 2021: 135 · 2022: 68 · 2023: 99 · 2024: 100 · 2025: 145 · 2026: 74
Across the model years, half of the 773 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 14,000 and 52,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My 2019 Jeep cherokee's engine has stalled 3 times prior to reaching 3000 miles. In each case, I was traveling at a low speed going up a slight incline. There was no warning, and only the orange battery indicator light showed on the display.
Vehicle is shutting off while driving, causing loss of steering and everything else in the vehicle. This has happened twice. Once at 30mph, and at 50 MPH. Luckily I did not wreck or hit someone. This vehicle isn't safe to drive. Someone is going to be killed if this is not fixed.
I was driving 50mph and my Jeep completely shut down - 0 MPH, 0 RPM, but I could still steer and brake. No lights, no warning. Pulled into a neighborhood, had to put it in park, remove the key and put it back in to get it to do anything again. Restarted with no hesitation
Driving through a parking lot, Jeep turned off but I could still steer and brake. Had to stop completely, put it in park, remove and re-insert key for it to restart. Started with no hesitation, no lights or anything came on
Per Jeep service the vehicle consumes oil. Without any warning light, it will just cutoff. Both times we experience the issue leaving a stop sign. Thankfully we were not in the middle of the intersection when it died. This is the second problem in less than a year of ownership.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V344000 HighMay 25, 2018 · 14 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The engines in these vehicles may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage. These engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.
- 17V670000 HighOct 24, 2017 · 357 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 9, 2026
- Stop/Start Illuminated, 0x22 During Fork Wear Routine Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● Negative response 0X22 after Recall 01C flash triggers one or more communication codes with controllers.
- Mar 21, 2026
- Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Acti
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Cherokee
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Cherokee problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Cherokee years have the most engine complaints?
2019, 470; 2016, 320; 2017, 264. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (29%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 18V344000 (2019), 17V670000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 32,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 52,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.