The Lemon Index2019 Jeep Cherokee.
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 708 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 337, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 21 to 26 mpg combined. The best Jeep Cherokee year is 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 2019 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 1,665 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Cherokee year. 2019 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 4K to 60K miles on the car (755 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 10K–90K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 3K–37K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 2K–33K miles
Recalls 11
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2025
The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
- steering 2019
The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2019
The impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the air bag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events.
- seats 2019
The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose.
- electrical 2018
The instrument cluster may fail resulting in a lack of activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall.
- electrical 2018
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
- brakes 2018
The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
- engine 2018
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.
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 407 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SEAL, Input If looking to replace stubshaft due to ATX fluid leaking, do not replace PTU seals
- HANDS FREE ASSEMBLY, Power Liftgate For a concern of intermittent operation of the liftgate…
- 2019 KL, Cherokee, Battery Dead, No Crank, No Start
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle would not start. Had it towed to the dealership and they replaced the park/neutral safety switch.
2019 Jeep Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11144117
More owner reports
Vehicle stalls while in motion-hundreds of complaints about the same problem on internet. Jeep literally just shuts off- all 2019 Jeep latitudes. Battery light goes on very dangerous in traffic.
NHTSA complaint 11129188
Vehicle continues to shut off while driving. Took vehicle to repair shop, although their employee witness this shut down four times, technician was unable to identify why.
NHTSA complaint 11383586
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 337; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Cherokee year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (42%), electrical (29%) and transmission & drivetrain (26%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have?
11 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee get?
21 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 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 2019 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,100 and 60,000 miles. The middle report was at 21,100 miles, from 755 complaints.
Does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Cherokee year is better than the 2019?
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