Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked during a rainstorm, the vehicle was started and shifted into reverse(R) and the contact became aware that the parking brake warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and noticed that the parking brake warning light was illuminated again while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was then shifted into the park(P) and the parking brake engaged independently. The contact was unable to disengage the parking brake. The parking brake warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the electronic parking brake module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Investigation Number: PE22009 (Parking Brake). …
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the brake pedal became inoperable and felt spongy while attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to operate, and a crunching sound was heard while turning the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that multiple incorrect warning messages illuminated on the instrument panel, including the Start/Stop warning message and a door open warning message. The contact stated that the failures began after the vehicle had been repaired under a tailgate recall. The vehicle was taken to another dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer advised the contact to return to the previous dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,600.
No previous issues with the vehicle until this incident. That morning on my way to work my check engine light came on. I called my husband and he said he would check it out that evening. Got to work fine. When I went to go home from work my car was acting strange. The ac or blower and the radio wouldn't come on at all until after about 15 minutes of driving. About 5 minutes later my brakes wouldn't work at all trying to stop at a light and I ended up crashing into a car that was completely stopped while going about 35mph. My front collision detection didn't go off until I was about an inch away from the vehicle and the automatic emergency brake didn't engage either and normally if a car is turning slowly 30 ft ahead it will slam on the brakes. Nothing worked and I am terrified to continue driving this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, a flashing warning message displayed "Service Parking Brake". After stopping the vehicle and activating the parking brake, the brake would not release rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic parking brake had malfunctioned due to water contamination. The electronic parking brake was disabled by the dealer and the vehicle was later driven to the local mechanic who diagnosed that water had leaked from the C-Pillar and pressure vents onto the electronic parking brake. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 88,000.
There has been two separate occasions this has occurred. The last occurrence resulted in a car wreck . The first occurrence I was driving out of a public parking lot and had feet on breaks and engine rived up and keep going into traffic but car saw me coming and switched lines. This second occurrence I was parking the car in a parking space with my feet on the breaks and the car rived up even with me hitting the breaks jumped the curb and i and the car ended up through the window of a store. No one was hurt but car damaged and in the shop for repairs. Police came to the seen and deemed it an accident. I did not see any warning lights or messages prior to either of these events. report #WC2400651 / unable to upload as i don't have a copy
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the parking brake was erroneously engaged, and the warning message "electronic brake system failure" was displayed. During the failure, the vehicle could not be driven or moved due to the braking system being engaged. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the parking brake module and passenger's side rear actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but approximately one year later the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 75,000. The contact paid for the necessary repairs and is seeking reimbursement.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the parking brake error message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack on the vehicle near the lift gate and water had entered the spare tire compartment. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the wiring harness and module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to move after releasing the brake pedal. The contact noticed that the parking brake had engaged independently. The brake light was illuminated. The contact was unable to release the parking brake. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the parking brake had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 87,416. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle it displayed a message stating "Service Parking Brake". After stopping the vehicle and placing it in parking, the parking brake engaged itself and would not release, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic parking brake had malfunctioned due to water contamination. All recalls have been performed and are up to date. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated the parking brake failed to disengage as needed. The contact stated the failure to release, and the service parking brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,246.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-009 after having received 80 complaints on model years 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees alleging the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) inadvertently activated while the vehicle was in motion.During this investigation, the subject vehicles were updated to include only Model Years (MY) 2014-2016, while MY 2017-2020 were considered peers.Based on related repair…
Brake complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 137 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, 8% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is electrical › control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Jeep Cherokee brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 11 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 2015 Jeep Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 55% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.