Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 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.
Nearly all of the warning lights came on suddenly at the same time. Service parking brake, service transmission, service antilock braking system, service forward collision system and more. The vehicle then starts to have trouble shifting and sometimes acceleration is gone completely. I had to coast over to shoulder on the freeway multiple times. Turning the vehicle off and restarting seems to help somewhat and allowed me to get the vehicle home. Sometimes acceleration is jumpy (slowing down then speeding up again). I have had the vehicle serviced 3 times for this issue. First time they stated it was fixed with a software update. Second time they replaced a sensor inside the transmission, and the third time they replaced the PTU. All of these repairs and the $1,000+ I have paid for the repairs have done nothing to address the issue.
A few months after i got the car, a bump feels at first gear before 2nd gear starts, its been doint it till today, a vibration started a year ago, it hasn't gone away, power steering went out year and a half ago or so, its electrical so i had to change the whole part, went car is turned off you can hear the vibration sound for a second, some mechanics say the motor mounts are worn out, who kmows. For 2015 to have theese problems? I have older cars and dont have these problems, wonder what these can be. Guess just bad car and still paying it, good thing its still runs, just hoping not to break the road.
While driving my jeep forward or in reverse my jeep launches forward very hard. I have to press on the brake abruptly so that I don't hit anything. Also when accelerating my speedometer shows the numbers increasing but my wheels are barely moving then it kicks forward abruptly. When turning or going over bumps I feel a pop in the steering column and sometimes the dashboard icon with the vehicle & squiggly lines under it appears. I told my dealership but the mechanic just said there is nothing wrong with it even though I know there is.
My Jeep is disabled due to a drivetrain failure covered under Jeep's XJ1 Warranty Extension. The required part is on extended backorder (weeks) and Jeep is unable to provide a remedy or transportation while the vehicle is inoperable. This results in a safety hazard and unreasonable delay of repair. Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure under warranty extension XJ1. Vehicle is disabled and cannot be safely driven. Jeep is unable to provide the part required for repair, resulting in an unreasonable delay of remedy.
The vehicle suddenly started showing parking brake, traction, ABS, and check engine lights after being started. Earlier in the day, I had also started the vehicle but cancelled the errands and returned to start it later when the dashboard and warning lights came on. Putting it in reverse, the steering was stiff as if in neutral. Never left the driveway as I wasn't taking a chance in steering or braking. The battery is less than a year old. This is the second time this has happened.
I had an incident in 2018 with the power transfer unit in this vehicle wherein I lost all control of the vehicle while driving. The dealer repaired it at that time. However, recently I was advised by the dealer that I am likely to have the same issue because the power transfer unit needs to be replaced and is a known issue yet for some reason my specific model is not included in the recall.
Transmission has malfunctioned, will not properly shift into higher gears, when stopped is not able to be put into park. Issue started with not warnings, was driving perfectly fine before. Cruise control has failed, parking brake has malfunctioned, and power steering has malfunctioned.
I was driving to work on a Thursday morning, the same route I always take, I am very fimilair with the raod and traffic in this area because I have been driving it for the last seven years straight. Well on my way, I got into a accident, my new Jeep has been into the shop a few times for a recall, I have only had the Jeep for 7 months and have had to bring it in 2 times and now a 3rd for an airbag deployment issue. Anyway, I was driving to work and my Jeep does this thing where it feels like it shuts off when I am stopped and turns back on when I begin to move, I noticed it when I first purchased the Jeep when I brought it in to the dealer, they told me it is suppose to do that because of the four wheel drive, I said OK fine I just wanted to make sure I was safe because that is one of the reasons I purchased this car. …
Vehicle surges forward after a stop at numerous & unpredictable times since purchase. This is very dangerous! Transmission has been replaced & continues to do this. There is not any predictability as to when this will occur. Have had vehicle in for service 6 times & they were 'unable to duplicate concern'. I would not be bringing my vehicle in if I didn't have a concern! I have never had as many issues with a new vehicle as I have had with this one! Vehicle lurches/jerks/rocks when shifting from forward to reverse & reverse to forward--doesn't always engage immediately. Vehicle has revved with acceleration, would not go forward & then suddenly surged forward several times. Pulls to the right on level surface. Vehicle rolls forward after braking as brakes don't always grab. After a stop, car rolls forward. …
Steering complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the steering of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee, 3% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Jeep Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.