Jeep Cherokee Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 574 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 14 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (104). The words owners use most often: “brake rotors” (19% of reports).
- 574service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 43mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 38%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.
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 107 of 574 complaints (19%)
- Brakes applied: mentioned in 51 of 574 complaints (9%)
- Provide further: mentioned in 35 of 574 complaints (6%)
- Requesting reimbursement: mentioned in 32 of 574 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 70 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 574 complaints, 43 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 17 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Cherokee | 2 | 1% | 95,000 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 6 | 0% | 100,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 2 | 0% | 126,000 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 3 | 0% | 50,000 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 2 | 0% | 76,704 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2006 Cherokee | 1 | 6% | 27,142 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 53 | 23% | 19,972 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 104 | 28% | 16,000 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 95 | 26% | 73,900 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 80 | 20% | 112,375 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 62 | 16% | — |
| 1996 Cherokee | 86 | 19% | 66,000 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 77 | 13% | 201,799 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2026
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
Risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 29D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2019
Problem: 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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor
Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia. The front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the "salt belt." if the rotors are not replaced, the corrosion can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the stamped steel center hub section of the rotor.
Risk: The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor
Model years: 1995
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia. The front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the "salt belt." if the rotors are not replaced, the corrosion can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the stamped steel center hub section of the rotor.
Risk: The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The power brake booster vacuum reservoir diaphragm can split or tear.
Risk: This can cause an increase in engine idle speed and a loss of power assist during brake application without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake booster date code and any boosters with the suspect manufacturing date range will be replaced.
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 driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact avoided a crash with another vehicle by moving over to the side of the road, drove onto the grass, and navigated past a…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 25â30 MPH on the highway, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle failed to move. The "Service Brakes" message illuminated on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The âCheck…
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "4WD Unavailable - Service Soon" was displayed with the 4WD icon illuminated intermittently for three months. The contact that while driving at 15-25 MPH, and there was a…
The contactâs daughter owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact was informed that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to engage. The vehicle jumped a curb, causing the driver to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The Brake Warning light…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 574 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic 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 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “brake rotors”, in 107 of 574 complaints, followed by “brakes applied” (51).
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Power Train problems (5,522)
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,188)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Service Brakes problems (647)
- Steering problems (598)
- Structure problems (522)
- Air Bags problems (457)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.