2,197 of the 20,992 complaints filed about the Jeep Cherokee are about the braking system — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.
2,197
Complaints
10%
Share of all complaints
138
Crashes
12
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
Online is saying there is 0 recalls after a year of having the vehicle a recall was sent by mail. I got it fixed by jeep van nuys, the engine and the other equipment attached looks unsafe and it is completely overheating
NHTSA complaint #11757134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was leaving the parking lot of a grocery store - I was probably 100 yards from where I parked to the exit to the road. My [XXX] and [XXX] were in car seats in the back. I went to merge into traffic going left out of the parking lot. As I accelerated to merge into traffic and get up to speed, the emergency brake on my car engaged with roughly half of my vehicle in the lane of oncoming traffic. As quickly as I could, I realized what had happened and turned off the emergency brake so that my car would move. By this time the car coming at us had to swerve around us and another car behind them was honking at us for being in the way and in the lane. The emergency brake was engaged because the driver side door was not 100% entirely closed. It was closed enough that when I would have realized on my own that it wasn't fully closed, I could have safely and easily done it. Instead, it put mine in my daughter's lives at risk. To my understanding, this is the way this "safety" feature is supposed to operate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 25–30 MPH on the highway, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle failed to move. The "Service Brakes" message illuminated on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake module had failed due to water intrusion and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Parking brake engages while driving down the road pulled control module out and has water corrosion looked up causes and seen there was a recall/lawsuit in need of recall
NHTSA complaint #11746203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The parking brake has engaged on it's own 4 times. Twice while I was driving and twice while I was parked in my driveway with car started and attempting to leave. When parked it will not let me roll. When driving the vehicle shimmies and acts like it has serious problems like the wheel is about to fall off. One time there was a yellow exclamation point as a warning light as it was having the issue. The other time there were no warning lights. I never use my parking brake. It came on when I was about a mile down the road. I believe the first 2 times were in March. The last 2 were in May 2026
NHTSA complaint #11741684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The component that failed/malfunctioned was the module that activates the EPB. It is available for inspection if requested. My safety was put at risk because the parking brake would engage every time the vehicle shut off leaving me stranded and could put other drivers at risk if my vehicle was stranded on the roadway. It would sometimes reset if the battery was disconnected and then reconnected, but eventually trying to reset it did not work. Within a week, the actuators completely seized and the vehicle was inoperable, requiring to be towed. The problem was confirmed by a Jeep dealership service center. They noted that water was leaking into the vehicle from the outside and pooling. The inside rear cargo carpets are moldy and need to be replaced and the module is completely water damaged along with other electrical components being rusted and corroded. The issue has been identified by a certified mechanic at the service center. I had planned to reach out to my auto insurance provider to file a claim, but was informed of an active recall on 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees with similar symptoms to what I am experiencing. No warning lamps or messages were active prior to the failure. Both "Service Parking Brake" along with the red "brake" light were active to let me know my EPB was engaged. I was able to reset the message briefly to unlock the brakes by disconnecting the battery, but was only successful once. Then it needed to be towed to the dealership for further inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11740133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11739326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the warning message "Service Four Wheel Drive" and "Four Wheel Drive Unavailable" had displayed. Also, while operating the vehicle the parking brake had malfunctioned. The cause of the fialure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000(POWER TRAIN ). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11738959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Parking brake module went out and locked up the back end this has happened multiple times now while driving at different speeds!
NHTSA complaint #11738305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
My vehicle has been in the shop over 6 times due to the malfunctioning of the EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM. Less then 2.5wks after I purchased this vehicle, I started experiencing my E brake randomly engaging while driving it down the road. I called the dealership. They suggested I bring it to a jeep dealer. I’ve brought it to a jeep dealer where it’s been several times since I purchased the vehicle to have this issue looked at, but due to the fact of no codes popping when it gets brought in there’s nothing that they can do. I reported it also with the jeep company to which my case/complaint was closed out, even though the problem has not been fixed the most severe and most scary time that my emergency brake system came on was when I was driving at 65 miles an hour at 2:30 in the morning leaving work with a semi truck behind me and my emergency brakes randomly engaged on the freeway bringing me to a dead stop. They replaced the emergency breaking module and it still does it however, now my vehicle no matter what I do every time I put the vehicle even into park, my emergency brake kicks in. I’ve also looked up online and seeing that I’m not the only one that has experienced this that several other jeep owners have also experienced this typically found from the years of 2014 to 2020 Jeep Cherokee I own a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited my vehicle had 30,000 or so miles on it when I purchased this car this car has been a death trap ever since. I can’t even feel comfortable putting my children, my mother or even my animals into this car let alone myself. I do fear that one day this vehicle is going to kill me because that night with that semi behind me he could’ve easily rear-ended my vehicle and I’m sure he was doing 75 miles an hour and then a vehicle not even a half a mile in front of them randomly stops without any warning how that happened my children would not have a mother.
NHTSA complaint #11737975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
while i was driving my vehicle put the parking brake on and then i was unable to get it deactivated at first, after a few seconds i got it and moved forward in traffic. after a few feet the vehicle put the parking brake on and i was unable to move once again. this was in the middle of traffic and i ended up blocking the single lane road. I called a family member who was near by and they came and some how got the parking brake off and drove me and the vehicle home. my safety and everyone one around safety was jeopardized because they had to go into oncoming traffics lane to pass me until i got moving. parking wouldn't engage when we got home and service parking brake light was on.
NHTSA complaint #11737078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
My vehicle has an open PTU recall and when driving down the road my vehicle completely lost power was unable to drive or put vehicle in park in the middle of a turn which resulted in on coming traffic coming towards my vehicle. There were no injuries thankfully. My car was towed to the Jeep dealership in Anchorage, AK to have the PTU recall done as that was the suspected reasoning of the failure. After weeks of back and forth I was told the transmission was damaged and needed replaced and the PTU recall was not able to be done due to the recall instructions. I was quoted 8-12 thousand dollars in repairs which was unrealistic to me. I then had vehicle towed to an auto body shop that could replace the transmission for a lesser price. Once at the auto shop they discovered there was a complete PTU failure which caused the transmission damage and told me to take it back to the dealership for repairs to be covered under the recall. The dealership submitted the information and I was denied the recall and repairs. The dealership informed me I would have to pay for a new transmission out of pocket. However once I had the new transmission testing the PTU recall could damage and that I also need to pay out of pocket for the PTU. This has been extremely frustrating and given the pictures and evidence submitted for PTU failure causing the transmission failure and still being denied I find it absolutely appropriate to submit a claim
NHTSA complaint #11735221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving on the highway on my way to work around 7:45 am. As I was driving my car lost all power and I heard a grinding sound. As the grinding sound was happening, I had no control over my car. I managed to move to the side lane and put my hazards on. I then had to wait for a tow truck. Ultimately, the brakes, the transfer case, and the rear differental needs replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11731252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the sunroof, causing the parking brake to become inoperable. The “Service Parking Brake” warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake failed to function properly and failed to disengage as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the parking brake actuator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #11728495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving home from Church Sunday afternoon, I was on the highway driving 65 mph. Suddenly, and without warning lights or any other ability to know or prepare for the catastrophe about to take place, my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk lost all control and function in the drive-train and braking. The rear differential completely froze, forcing the vehicle to skid recklessly without operator control or ability to brake. Steering was near impossible as the car veered first to the guard-rail on the median, and then across 2 lanes of traffic towards the guardrail on the shoulder. A terrible accident was avoided by an alert and skillful driver who was behind me. After what i later came to find out from the dealer (having the vehicle towed) was the rear drive train gears sheered, I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop on the shoulder.
NHTSA complaint #11727737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The Parking Assist, parking, ABS warning continues. There is a recall on the year model but not my VIN. I have not even been able to afford the sales tax (over $1000 USD) and dealer refuses to assist with the cost of diagnostic or malfunction repair.
NHTSA complaint #11723533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
My vehicle has has these issues since I bought them but were unaware of how to report them. I also got a recall letter about my PTU failure and Feldman Jeep in Livonia falsely reported the recall completed and it wasn’t. My car is noisy and vibrational when driving higher speeds, service 4wd messages and noise when I turn the automatic brakes off.
NHTSA complaint #11723378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when the car is at a stop and in drive (at a stoplight, etc.) Recently it started happening while driving. The parking brake engaged and the car slammed to a stop nearly causing the car behind me to rear-end me. The dealership's service department has not been able to duplicate the problem or find any codes indicating a problem. They confirmed the software is up to date.
NHTSA complaint #11723032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was stopped at a traffic light and when it tire we green I was unable to drive as the emergency brake was holding the vehicle. I was unable to release it. Car would not go forward or backwards. Finally was able to drive after disconnecting battery for a few minutes. Drive directly to repair station. They changed the e brake switch, and the motor on one side of rear brake and the caliper also. Was working for less than one day and I am still experiencing the problem. The service brake light is still on dashboard.
NHTSA complaint #11722400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator lights were illuminated, and the message "Service Shifter" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to CarMax, where the contact was informed that no failure was found; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. Upon parking the vehicle in the garage and then starting the vehicle later, the parking brake unintendedly engaged and seized. The vehicle was towed to Dependable Car Care, where it was diagnosed with water intrusion in the parking brake module. The mechanic determined that the parking brake module needed to be replaced, and an electrical connector cleaning was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving 45 MPH, the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to brake hard. The message "BRAKE" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over into a parking lot and remained in the parking lot. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,072.
NHTSA complaint #11720768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.