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Jeep · KL · 2014–2019

Jeep Cherokee (2014–2019): Problems, Reliability & Repair Costs

The KL Cherokee looks the part and is genuinely capable off-road in Trailhawk form, but it launched with one of the most troubled drivetrains of the decade: ZF's 9-speed automatic. Early 2014–2015 cars are flooded with harsh-shift and shift-to-neutral complaints, and AWD models carry a power transfer unit (PTU) that can fail. Later years are far better. Buy a 2017+ on documented maintenance and it's a usable family SUV; buy an unverified 2014–2015 and you may be buying someone else's transmission headache.

4/10 CarCaseFile
reliability score

Engines

  • Tigershark MultiAir 2 — 2.4L gasoline, 184 hp
  • Pentastar — 3.2L gasoline, 271 hp

Transmissions

  • ZF 9HP48 (948TE) — automatic, 9-speed

Drivetrain

FWD / AWD

Body

suv

Should you buy a 2014–2019 Jeep Cherokee?

Buy a later one, carefully, or walk. The KL Cherokee is a comfortable, capable SUV when it works, but the 2014–2015 cars carry a real risk of an expensive transmission or PTU problem, and Consumer Reports rated most years below average for reliability. The safe play is a 2017 or newer with the 3.2 V6, an AWD car whose PTU recalls are documented as completed, and clear evidence the 9-speed software reflashes were applied. The 2.4 four-cylinder is fine for light duty but check it for oil consumption. Skip any 2014–2015 car you can't fully verify.

Best years

2017, 2018, 2019

Years to avoid

2014 (worst — transmission and stalling complaints peak here), 2015 (still heavy transmission/PTU complaint volume)

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  • ☐Test drive long enough to feel the 9-speed shift through all gears at varied speeds — harsh bangs, long hesitation before downshifts, or a drop to neutral are red flags.
  • ☐On AWD cars, confirm the PTU recalls (FCA W47/W48 and the later input-snap-ring action) were completed — a dealer can verify by VIN.
  • ☐Listen under the car for a whine or grinding from the PTU, especially on turns and during acceleration.
  • ☐On the 2.4 Tigershark, check oil level against the last change and ask the seller how much oil it uses between changes.
  • ☐On the 3.2 V6, listen for a ticking/tapping from the top of the engine at idle — possible rocker arm wear.
  • ☐Scan for stored codes (P0128 thermostat, P0301–P0306 misfire, P0456 EVAP) even if no light is on.
  • ☐Confirm the transmission software is up to date — a dealer can check the calibration level by VIN.
  • ☐Check for coolant/oil seepage around the oil filter housing on the four-cylinder.

Common Jeep Cherokee problems & repair costs

ZF 9-speed harsh/erratic shifting and shift-to-neutral

$200–$5,500
transmission severe 2014–2015 (worst); improving through 2016+ ~Can appear early; complaints span 0–80k mi

Symptoms: Hard, banging upshifts and downshifts; long hesitation when you ask for power; the transmission 'hunting' for a gear; in the worst cases an unexpected drop into neutral while driving. A valve can stick and prevent a clutch from disengaging, which prompts the shift to neutral.

Fix: First step is the dealer software reflash/recall update, which resolves a large share of the complaints and may be free under recall. If the unit is mechanically damaged, repair escalates fast — a rebuild or replacement of the 948TE runs into the thousands. 2014–2015 models alone generated thousands of transmission complaints.

Sources: CarComplaints — Jeep Cherokee transmission, Consumer Reports — Cherokee transmission recall, The Car Connection — 9-speed recall coverage

Power transfer unit (PTU) failure on AWD models

$1,600–$3,000
drivetrain safety 2014–2019 (AWD); recalls cover 2014–2017 plus 2017–2019 snap-ring issue ~Often 50k–100k mi

Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise (often worse in turns), loss of drive to the front wheels, or a complete loss of power while driving if the PTU fails to maintain the connection between transmission and front wheels. The actuator on top of the unit is a common failure point.

Fix: FCA issued safety recalls W47 and W48 for the PTU, plus a later recall for improperly installed PTU input-shaft snap rings on some 2017–2019 cars. Verify recall completion by VIN first. Out of coverage, FCA sells the PTU only as a non-rebuildable assembly, so it's an expensive replacement; sometimes only the actuator has failed.

Sources: Consumer Reports — Cherokee PTU recall (lose power), Go-Parts — Cherokee/Chrysler 200 PTU failures explained, AboutLawsuits — Jeep recalls Cherokee for damaged powertrain

Engine stalling (concentrated in 2014–2015)

$150–$1,500
engine safety 2014–2015

Symptoms: Unexpected stalling, sometimes during low-speed turns; in some reports tied to oil consumption on the 2.4 running low between changes. Loss of power steering and brake assist when the engine quits is the safety concern.

Fix: Diagnosis varies — software updates, sensor or thermostat repair, or addressing oil consumption. The 2014–2015 stalling complaint cluster is the main reason those years are flagged to avoid.

Sources: Samarins — Cherokee common problems, CarComplaints — Jeep Cherokee engine

2.4L Tigershark oil consumption

$100–$1,200
engine moderate 2014–2019 (2.4L) ~60k+ mi

Symptoms: Oil level dropping noticeably between changes with no obvious external leak; low-oil warnings; in worst cases contributes to stalling. Some cars also seep oil/coolant at the filter housing.

Fix: Start with a documented oil-consumption test. Mild cases are managed by checking oil between changes; severe consumption can require engine work. Address filter-housing seepage separately with a new housing/gasket.

Sources: Samarins — Cherokee common problems

3.2L Pentastar valvetrain ticking (rocker arms)

$400–$2,500
engine moderate 2014–2019 (3.2L) ~80k+ mi

Symptoms: A ticking or tapping noise from the top of the engine, often from one valve cover area. If ignored, a failing rocker arm can damage the camshaft.

Fix: Diagnose the noise early. A rocker arm/lifter repair caught in time is far cheaper than a camshaft replacement after the lobe is wiped. Keep oil changes on schedule to limit valvetrain wear.

Sources: Samarins — Cherokee common problems

A clean later KL is reasonable to own — routine maintenance is ordinary and the cabin holds up well — but the downside risk is what sets this SUV apart. A failed PTU or a mechanically damaged 9-speed are four-figure repairs that can rival the car's value, and they cluster on the early years. The single most important cost-control move is buying a year that already worked through the recalls, then keeping oil changes religious (it protects both the Tigershark from consumption and the Pentastar valvetrain). Budget normal money for brakes, tires, and a possible thermostat or oil-filter housing; reserve the big numbers for an unverified early car.

DIY repairs & parts

Replace the engine thermostat (2.4L, code P0128)

moderate 2–4 hrs saves ~$250–$450

Tools: Socket set + extensions, Drain pan, Coolant + funnel, Torque wrench

  1. Let the engine cool completely, then drain the coolant into a clean pan.
  2. Remove the components blocking access to the thermostat housing on the 2.4.
  3. Unbolt the housing, remove the old thermostat, and clean the sealing surface.
  4. Install the new thermostat/housing with a fresh gasket or O-ring and torque to spec.
  5. Refill with the correct coolant, burp the system, and run to temperature checking for leaks.
  6. Clear the code and confirm the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Parts

Cabin air filter replacement

easy 15–20 min saves ~$50–$100

Tools: Screwdriver (glovebox)

  1. Open the glovebox and release the stops so it drops fully down.
  2. Remove the filter access cover behind the glovebox.
  3. Slide out the old filter, noting the airflow arrow direction.
  4. Insert the new filter with the arrow oriented the same way and reassemble.

Parts

Engine air filter replacement

easy 10 min saves ~$30–$60

Tools: Screwdriver or trim clip tool

  1. Unclip or unscrew the airbox lid.
  2. Lift out the old panel filter and wipe out any debris in the housing.
  3. Drop in the new filter seated flat in the box.
  4. Re-secure the airbox lid and clips.

Parts

Some parts links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list parts that fit this generation.

The short version

The 2014–2019 Jeep Cherokee (the KL) is a comfortable, surprisingly capable SUV wrapped around a drivetrain that gave Jeep years of headaches. The headline issue is ZF’s 9-speed automatic — the KL was one of the first vehicles to use it, and the early calibration was bad enough that 2014–2015 cars piled up thousands of complaints about harsh shifting, long hesitation, and unexpected drops into neutral. Jeep chased it with recalls and software reflashes, and the later years are genuinely better.

The second issue is the AWD power transfer unit (PTU). It can fail and cut drive to the front wheels — serious enough that it drew multiple safety recalls. That’s not a problem you fix on a budget if it’s out of coverage.

What that means when you’re shopping

Year matters more here than on almost any other used SUV. A 2017 or newer Cherokee has worked through the worst of the transmission calibration and most of the recall actions. A 2014 or 2015 car is the one to be careful with — and Consumer Reports rated those years below average for reliability.

If you’re looking at an AWD car of any year, treat the PTU recalls as the first thing to clear: a dealer can confirm by VIN whether the recall work was done. On the road, drive it long enough to feel the 9-speed shift through its full range — harsh bangs or a long pause before a downshift are warning signs. Pick the 3.2L V6 if you can; the 2.4L four-cylinder is fine for light duty but is the one tied to oil consumption, so check it.

Everything else is ordinary SUV ownership — brakes, tires, a thermostat, maybe an oil-filter housing. The reason this file scores low isn’t the cabin or the off-road ability; it’s the real chance of a four-figure transmission or PTU bill on an unverified early car.

How this file is built: failure modes and cost ranges are compiled from NHTSA complaint and recall data, CarComplaints reports, FCA recall actions, Consumer Reports reliability ratings, and owner reporting, then sanity-checked against shop-floor experience. Cost figures are independent-shop estimates and vary by region. Spot something off? Tell us.

Viral car myths, checked

Frequently asked questions

Which Jeep Cherokee years should I avoid?

The 2014 and 2015 model years. They carry the heaviest volume of 9-speed transmission complaints (harsh shifting and shift-to-neutral) and the engine-stalling reports, and Consumer Reports rated them below average. If you want a KL Cherokee, a 2017 or newer is a much safer used buy.

Is the ZF 9-speed transmission reliable?

It started rough. The early KL was one of the first vehicles with ZF's transverse 9-speed, and 2014–2015 cars generated thousands of complaints plus multiple recalls and software reflashes. Calibration improved meaningfully in later years. Always confirm the transmission software is current and test drive for harsh or hesitant shifts.

What is the PTU and why does it matter?

The power transfer unit sends power to the front wheels on AWD Cherokees. It can fail — with whining, loss of front drive, or in the worst case loss of power while driving — which is why FCA issued safety recalls (W47/W48) and a later snap-ring recall. On any AWD car, verify the PTU recalls were completed by VIN before buying.

Should I get the 2.4 four-cylinder or the 3.2 V6?

The 3.2 Pentastar V6 is the better engine for most buyers — stronger for merging and towing, and the four-cylinder can be sluggish and is the one associated with oil consumption. Whichever you pick, keep oil changes on schedule: it limits Tigershark consumption and protects the Pentastar valvetrain.

Is the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk actually good off-road?

Yes — the Trailhawk is genuinely capable for a unibody crossover, with better ground clearance, skid plates, and a low-range mode. The off-road hardware isn't the weak point; the early drivetrain reliability is. Buy a later Trailhawk on documented maintenance and recall history.