Jeep Cherokee brake problems, 2016–2026
338 of the 5,606 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Cherokee 2016–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2019 (108), 2016 (94), 2017 (58). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. 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 brake 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 brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 3 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 14 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 25 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 108 | 7% | 8k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 36 | 5% | 38k | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 58 | 4% | 30k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 94 | 7% | 41k | — | the year → |
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 brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 11 · 2018: 21 · 2019: 47 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 35 · 2023: 62 · 2024: 34 · 2025: 45 · 2026: 20
Across the model years, half of the 131 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 5,000 and 50,000 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 brakes, 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.
The car completely shut down while driving at night on a snowy mountain road. All lights and everything completely shut off. I was able to stop in the opposing lane of traffic and restart the vehicle before being struck.
1. On 3 occasions (most recently 12-2-18) during braking the emergency brake engages itself and the engine continuously engages the starter. Unable to put vehicle in park turn off the starter and after about 30-60 seconds able to put into park and restart the vehicle.
"takata recall" I have had my car looked at a couple times for the same issues and no luck getting it fixed. While driving on both highway and regular roads I will get a warning chime and all of a sudden my service parking brake, ABS, traction control, and four wheel drive- overheated lights come on.
Brake booster went out at 41111 miles while driving and braking was compromised. Foot was on brake, then car started moving forward after popping sound heard. Had to slam down on break to get car to stop moving at < 2 miles per hour
This vehicles had a recall on something that has to do with the transmission- the dealership claims to have corrected the issue. However, the vehicle in question is still having slipping issues. Also just recently I noticed when starting my vehicle with the fob it stays on 30 secs and cuts right back off.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V523000 HighAug 9, 2018 · 154,335 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
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 brake complaints?
2019, 108; 2016, 94; 2017, 58. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (8%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V523000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.