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Jeep Cherokee — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Jeep Cherokee model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
44
Years to Avoid
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
Best Years
2006, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2027
0 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
2026
11 complaints4 recalls94 TSBs
2025
0 complaints0 recalls14 TSBs
2024
0 complaints0 recalls21 TSBs
2023
4 complaints1 recalls93 TSBs
2022
78 complaints3 recalls169 TSBs
2021
245 complaints4 recalls256 TSBs
2020
433 complaints3 recalls388 TSBs
2019Avoid
2,484 complaints11 recalls407 TSBs
2018Avoid
1,000 complaints7 recalls1 invest.211 TSBs
2017Avoid
1,942 complaints6 recalls1 invest.257 TSBs
2016Avoid
2,055 complaints9 recalls2 invest.450 TSBs
2015Avoid
2,669 complaints11 recalls4 invest.613 TSBs
2014Avoid
3,977 complaints13 recalls3 invest.563 TSBs
2006Best Year
18 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2001
329 complaints8 recalls1 invest.44 TSBs
2000
508 complaints7 recalls1 invest.55 TSBs
1999
516 complaints8 recalls1 invest.71 TSBs
1998
553 complaints11 recalls1 invest.80 TSBs
1997
496 complaints10 recalls2 invest.87 TSBs
1996
584 complaints10 recalls1 invest.50 TSBs
1995
732 complaints11 recalls9 invest.34 TSBs
1994
618 complaints9 recalls9 invest.29 TSBs
1993
571 complaints7 recalls15 invest.25 TSBs
1992
175 complaints5 recalls9 invest.23 TSBs
1991
297 complaints9 recalls6 invest.17 TSBs
1990
368 complaints9 recalls6 invest.18 TSBs
1989
287 complaints6 recalls3 invest.20 TSBs
1988
118 complaints4 recalls3 invest.4 TSBs
1987
72 complaints9 recalls7 invest.4 TSBs
1986
26 complaints8 recalls3 invest.3 TSBs
1985
24 complaints7 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1984
8 complaints7 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
1983Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls3 invest.
1982Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1981Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
1980
1 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
1979Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1978Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1975Best Year
0 complaints5 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1973Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Jeep Cherokee Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Jeep Cherokee are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Jeep Cherokee, consider the 2006, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

44 model years analyzed