Jeep Cherokee Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 445 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 16 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (136). The words owners use most often: “mount bolts” (8% of reports).
- 445engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Mount bolts: mentioned in 36 of 445 complaints (8%)
- Sheared off: mentioned in 33 of 445 complaints (7%)
- Motor mounts: mentioned in 32 of 445 complaints (7%)
- Causing engine: mentioned in 26 of 445 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Jeep Cherokee at $2,500, and half of them between $1,850 and $3,650.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2009), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 133 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 445 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 41 a fire, 4 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Cherokee | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Cherokee | 4 | 1% | 85,500 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 13 | 1% | 71,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 4 | 1% | 122,000 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 5 | 0% | 69,000 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 6 | 0% | 61,500 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 10 | 1% | 78,500 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 9 | 0% | 6,383 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 2 | 12% | 23,115 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 37 | 16% | 59,400 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 53 | 14% | 69,000 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 36 | 10% | 64,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 30 | 8% | 100,000 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 45 | 12% | 134,500 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 54 | 12% | 150,000 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 136 | 22% | 130,804 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2019
Problem: 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.
Risk: Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2018
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Model years: 2015
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015. The affected vehicles may have a misrouted air conditioning suction/discharge hose.
Risk: If the line is misrouted, it may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was informed that there was an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was unsure if the oil was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the residence and parked, and the…
I bought my 2021 jeep in 2023 at Matthew's in Pa and from day 1 my antifreeze has been leaking, I Bought the extended Warranty and they told me I didnt buy it and wouldn't fix nothing, so I took it back down there and other guy told me yes I had a Warranty but it's outdated and nothing they can do…
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power following a loud screeching sound. The Check Engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to misfire upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The…
Vehicle is overheating, have had issues right after purchasing from carmax burbank and issues after the recall was worked on at van nuys jeep dealership.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the message âTurn off Air Conditioner - Engine Overheatingâ was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the water pump and wiring needed to be replaced. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 445 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Jeep Cherokee. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Cherokee engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,500 (half paid between $1,850 and $3,650), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “mount bolts”, in 36 of 445 complaints, followed by “sheared off” (33).
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Power Train problems (5,516)
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,186)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Service Brakes problems (647)
- Steering problems (598)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (574)
- Structure problems (522)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.