The most-reported Cherokee run is 1C4PJMBS1EW (2014 builds) with 50 complaints, 11.6× the typical run. Power train problems make up 35% of reports; 2014 is the worst model year at 11.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 89 recall campaigns for Cherokee model years 1981–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Jeep Cherokee has 3,089 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Cherokee complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C4PJMBS1EW•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 1C4PJMCS8EW•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 1C4PJMCSXEW•••••• | 2014 | — | 1 | |
| 1C4PJMCS7EW•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1C4PJMDS1EW•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1C4PJMBS7EW•••••• | 2014 | — | 1 | |
| 1C4PJMBS7FW•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| 1C4PJMCS1EW•••••• | 2014 | 2 | — | |
| 1C4PJMBS5EW•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 1C4PJMCS1FW•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| 1C4PJMDS2EW•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1C4PJMCS6EW•••••• | 2014 | — | — |
Each of the other 3,077 Cherokee runs has 38 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 303 Cherokee VINs so far, most often 2019, 2026, 2016 builds; 4 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Jeep Cherokee the gap between build years is 6.3×: a 2014 car draws 11.4 complaints per run, a 1994 one 1.8.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2023 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 50 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 175 | 61 | 9 | |
| 2020 | 320 | 99 | 9 | |
| 2019 | 1630 | 197 | 38 | |
| 2018 | 672 | 158 | 11 | |
| 2017 | 1302 | 235 | 24 | |
| 2016 | 1363 | 183 | 37 | |
| 2015 | 1680 | 187 | 42 | |
| 2014 | 2495 | 219 | 48 | |
| 2006 | 16 | 3 | — | |
| 2001 | 158 | 71 | 17 | |
| 2000 | 280 | 118 | 15 | |
| 1999 | 266 | 118 | 28 | |
| 1998 | 305 | 127 | 26 | |
| 1997 | 277 | 148 | 32 | |
| 1996 | 337 | 183 | 47 | |
| 1995 | 445 | 231 | 68 | |
| 1994 | 349 | 195 | 34 |
Heaviest year here is 2014 at 11.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2023 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 35% of everything Jeep Cherokee owners report: Power Train, 5,348 of 13,154 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 119 | 20 | |
| Electrical System | 25 | 89 | |
| Engine | 25 | 47 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 27 | 20 | |
| Service Brakes | 95 | 10 | |
| Hydraulic | 60 | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 114 | 4 | |
| Structure | 22 | 16 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 89 recall campaigns on the Jeep Cherokee; the 6 below cover build years 1984 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1984–2001 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1984–2001 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1984–2001 |
| 97I002000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 1984–1995 |
| 06E022000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1995–2001 |
| 26V290000 | Power Train | 2019–2023 |
The Cherokee against its rivals
The Cherokee draws 4.3 complaints per production run; the Nissan Pathfinder 5.8. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee | 13,154 | 3,089 | 4.4% | |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 6,365 | 1,105 | 3.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 13,154 reports on the Jeep Cherokee, 4.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Jeep Cherokee | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 13,154 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 578 (4.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 240 (1.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 461 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 11 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Jeep Cherokee share of that is 13,154 complaints over 3,089 runs, 1.2% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Jeep Cherokee VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 13,154 NHTSA complaints from 3,089 Cherokee runs and 89 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Cherokee production run has the most complaints?
1C4PJMBS1EW, a 2014 build, with 50 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Cherokee run has 4.3.
Which Cherokee years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2014 is heaviest at 11.4 complaints per run and 2023 lightest at 1.
Does the Cherokee get more complaints than the Nissan Pathfinder?
No: 4.3 complaints per production run for the Cherokee against 5.8 for the Nissan Pathfinder.
How many Cherokee complaints involve a crash?
4.4% of 13,154 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 240 involved a fire.
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