The Lemon Index2014 Jeep Cherokee.
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 1,212 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 534, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 13 recalls, and it gets 20 to 25 mpg combined. The best Jeep Cherokee year is 2022.
Lemon alert. 5.3× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2014–2023 Jeep Cherokee, 27.6M views. The 2014 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical927K views
2014 - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected - How To Start With Dead, Bad Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 349K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service492K views
How to reset the oil life on a 2014 Jeep CherokeeJimthecarguy · 492K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4469K views
👉 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee HIGH ALTITUDE 4X4 - Ultimate In-Depth Look in 4KMikesCarInfo · 221K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring408K views
2019 jeep cherokee maintenance light resetOil Light Reset · 235K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils327K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 181K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter245K views
2015-2018 Jeep Cherokee U1465 and P1C86-1D Shifter PRDNL BezelMotorCity Mechanic · 128K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank181K views
How to Replace the fuel pump on the Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2019Haynes Manuals · 181K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Thorough Review By A MechanicThe Car Care Nut Reviews · 519K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 2,650 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Cherokee year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 69K miles on the car (1,878 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 11K–67K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 15K–67K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 16K–76K miles
Recalls 13
- electrical 2023
An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement b…
- transmission & drivetrain 2019
In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.
Show all 13 recalls
- electrical 2018
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- seats 2016
The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral.
- visibility 2015
Use of the front windshield wipers on dry glass may cause damage to the body control module (BCM).
- equipment 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
- body structure 2015
In the affected vehicles, water may enter the Power Liftgate Control Module and cause a high resistance short circuit in the module.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles may experience unintended side curtain and seat air bag deployment during vehicle operation.
- suspension 2014
Due to an insufficient weld, the rear shocks may detach from the vehicle at one end and possibly damage other chassis components, the tire or result in reduced braking.
- speed control 2014
When the adaptive cruise control is engaged and the driver presses the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle's speed more than the cruise control system would on its own, the vehicle may continue to accelerate briefl…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 563 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission control module (tcm), on some jeeps, with new software robustness improvements
- Wrong translations, low battery
- "transmission wiring harness repair or replacement for no start or stiff steering this…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedElectronic parking brake water ingress2022–2023
- ClosedSoftware security vulnerability2015–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmission is very jerky. I'm afraid of this vehicle. It shifts great one time and then doesn't shift the next time. Sometimes very sluggish, like I'm in neutral for a few seconds.t
2014 Jeep Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 10969250
More owner reports
Issues jerking and hard shifting while driving. Car lurches forward and moves in jerky movements. Almost caused an accident because vehicle stalled then lurches forward hard.
NHTSA complaint 11022208
The primary safety concern is the rough and erratic shifting between gears. The sluggish and unreliable acceleration and the sudden downshifts are troublesome. I've now been told that I need a new transmission at 12,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10864977
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 5.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 534; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Cherokee year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2014 Jeep Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (61%), engine (20%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have?
13 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,500 and 69,000 miles. The middle report was at 37,000 miles, from 1,878 complaints.
Does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 61% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Cherokee year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works