Jeep Cherokee Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 647 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Jeep Cherokee across 14 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (184). The words owners use most often: “parking brake” (32% of reports).
- 647service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 36mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $1,150typical repair cost reported by owners
- 27%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.
- Parking brake: mentioned in 210 of 647 complaints (32%)
- Put park: mentioned in 39 of 647 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Jeep Cherokee at $1,150, and half of them between $700 and $1,450.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2025), 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 service brakes problems happen?
Based on 274 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 647 complaints, 36 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Cherokee | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2021 Cherokee | 13 | 7% | 1,400 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 25 | 8% | 5,650 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 100 | 6% | 6,500 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 34 | 5% | 36,050 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 56 | 4% | 30,201 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 92 | 7% | 41,000 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 128 | 7% | 13,900 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 184 | 7% | 40,953 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 1 | 0% | 41,777 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 5 | 1% | 147,009 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 2 | 1% | 204,157 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 2 | 1% | 182,069 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 2 | 0% | 110,000 |
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.
While driving, emergency parking brake engaged. Required vehicle to be driven on and parked on road shoulder. Grinding sound was coming from engaged parking brake. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership.
There was a leak in my trunk that completely shorted out my electric parking break module. My safety and others safety were put at risk because the emergency break was turning on automatically and I could not control it. I noticed it blinking and quickly pulled into a parking lot where the brake…
My vehicleâs E-brake engaged and would not released. After having it towed to the dealership, I was told that a leak into my rear storage of my spare tires occurred and shorted the E-brake electrical system! There are no visible leaks coming from within the car.
On September 23, 2026, my wife was driving our 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on I-65 South at mile marker 105.1 when the vehicle lost drive power and could no longer be driven. She became stranded on the side of the highway, and I had to pick her up. The vehicle also rolled while the gear selector…
Issues started in 2025 when the emergency brake system started engaging by itself. I was at a stop light when it happened the first time. Then it happened again in our driveway and we ended up having to unplug the battery to get it to turn off. Then on 09.14.2026 I was at a customers home and I put…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Cherokees have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 647 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,150 (half paid between $700 and $1,450), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “parking brake”, in 210 of 647 complaints, followed by “put park” (39).
Other Jeep Cherokee problems
- Power Train problems (5,522)
- Electrical System problems (2,257)
- Engine problems (2,188)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (691)
- Steering problems (598)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (574)
- Structure problems (522)
- Air Bags problems (457)
See all Jeep Cherokee problems.