Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while her grand-son was driving 50-55 MPH, the driver noticed that there was smoke inside the cabin and outside the vehicle. The driver pulled to the side of the road. The driver opened the hood and noticed that the underhood had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The fire department informed the driver that the fire originated behind the engine. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report was filed. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was significantly burned. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
The contact owns 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after refueling, while driving 5-10 MPH, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving after refueling the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the powertrain control module indicated a catalytic convertor failure due to the inner part of the catalytic converter being missing. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, while driving after refueling, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. …
I was on my way home from Alpharetta from a business meeting and my car started to shake really bad on the front. I thought it might have been something my tire caught. But I just put 4 brand new tires and not one light was on on my dash board there have never been any lights come on my dash board since I've had the vehicle. I drove about 10 more mins and it got worse so I pulled over and parked. I couldn't see anything. I was an hour away from home. The next day after getting my vehicle home. I was told that the ignition coil was catching fire as i was driving it. I also have the video in my phone. The car was literally trying to catch on fire and I was told if I would have kept driving it and not pulled over my car would have went up in flames more than likely. I keep all the maintenance done on it and change the tires and if stuff needs fixing i fix it. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while at a stop light, the "Service Parking Brake", "Service Transmission" and "Shift to Park" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the parking brake was not engaged however, the parking brake light illuminated indicating it was engaged. The contact stated that she shifted gears to drive and a message appeared on the instrument panel indicating to turn off and to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that when she restarted the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated along with other warning messages. The contact stated that she was able to drive the vehicle at 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic for a diagnostic test however, it was not diagnosed as the OBD reader was not reading any codes. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH exiting his driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and park the vehicle back in his driveway. The contact stated that when he turned the vehicle off, the vehicle did restart but would not remain running. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed battery and a failed alternator. The contact was informed that the battery and the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The dealer informed the contact that the electrical wiring harness was the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the electrical wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he purchased the parts for the electrical wiring harness replacement. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked while the accelerator was depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the windshield wipers were inoperable and failed to function while activating the windshield wipers. The contact also stated that the rearview camera inadvertently activated while driving at undisclosed speeds, and the instrument panel failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer was where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module and windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, but it was stated by the dealer that the engine was repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on ten different occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently down shifted, shuddered, idled, and stalled. The check engine warning light and the shift to park light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an transmission bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted with some of the repairs. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk, the driver lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The shift key inoperable message was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the PTU was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, where it was determined that the transfer case, PTU, and rear differential were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
The contact owns 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH the electronic parking brake suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who informed the contact of water intrusion into the electronic braking system which caused the electronic braking system to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle restarted and operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Engine complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 524 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 20% of the model year's 2,650 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Jeep Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 7 fires and 7 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.