2019 Jeep Cherokee problems & reliability
1,640 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, alongside 11 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
22 complaints report injuries (37 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles were involved in 167 fatal crashes with 77 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 802 | 49% |
| Engine → | 457 | 28% |
| Electrical System → | 340 | 21% |
| Unknown / Other | 256 | 16% |
| Steering → | 120 | 7% |
| Service Brakes → | 100 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 82 | 5% |
| Air Bags → | 42 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 39 | 2% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance → | 32 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 31 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 694 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 26,000 miles (middle 50% between 5,600 and 62,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“My 2019 Jeep Cherokee experienced a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure that matches the known PTU recall defect, even though my VIN is not currently listed. The first code that appeared was C1494‑07, which is the recall‑related DTC. Cochran Jeep in Natrona Heights performed the recall software update and cleared the…”
Power Train · filed Sep 19, 2026
“I received a recall on my Jeep Cherokee in June (40D/NHTSA 26V-290) for Power Transfer Unit failure. I contacted FCA recall center [XXX]). The notice indicated that at present there was not remedy for the recall. In August we noticed that the vehicle was engaging into 4WD on dry pavement causing it to lunge when…”
Power Train · filed Sep 17, 2026
“On September 14, 2025, while driving on the highway, the vehicle began shaking violently, the check engine light illuminated and began flashing, and the vehicle progressively lost power and became undriveable. The vehicle had to be towed. No warning lights appeared prior to the incident. This failure follows a…”
Power Train · filed Sep 15, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
407 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The 10 most recent:
Stop/Start Illuminated, 0x22 During Fork Wear Routine Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● Negative response 0X22 after Recall 01C flash triggers one or more communication codes with controllers.
03-002-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2026
Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● After performing Recall 01C, the vehicle may get a 'Service AWD' message on the EVIC.
03-001-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 9, 2026
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
S2208000045 REV.D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
S2523000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2026
Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged with a light layer of condensation on the SYMPTOM: inside of the lenses Fig. 1. This may be reported after the…
08-075-26 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 15, 2026
Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork…
21-027-26 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 11, 2026
(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
14082 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 8, 2026
(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
14081 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 8, 2026
(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
14079 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 8, 2026
(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
14078 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Apr 8, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2019 Jeep Cherokee?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 26,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.