After filling my tank with gas I turned onto a nearby roadway and felt my car sputtering and jerking. As I came to a slow stop at a stop light my car abruptly slammed to a stop and made a loud bang/slamming noise and prompted me to shift to park and restart the car. I followed these commands and the car would not move. As soon as I would shift out of park the loud slamming would occur again and I…
2014 Jeep Cherokee brakes problems
moderate 85 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
85
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 85 brakes complaints filed for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Jeep Cherokee we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 85.
Owners have filed 85 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Cherokee has a documented water intrusion problem in the electronic parking brake module (TSB 08-060-16) that can cause the brake to lock unexpectedly, rendering the vehicle undrivable or dangerous; costs to replace the module run $575–$1,963 and the issue often recurs. Additionally, a critical brake booster recall (P14/NHTSA 14V-154) issued in 2014 faced severe parts shortages that delayed repairs by over a year on many vehicles—avoid this model unless you can confirm both issues have been resolved and the vehicle has remained dry.
The 2014 Cherokee brake system shows two major problem categories that Jeep has known about for years but never fully corrected.
Electronic parking brake water damage is the dominant complaint. Water pools in the spare tire well and seeps into the parking brake module located in the rear cargo area. Owners report the parking brake locking in the engaged position without warning—some while backing out of driveways, others on highways. The module corrodes, either refusing to release or re-engaging repeatedly after the driver disengages it. One ASE technician found a teaspoon of water inside the module itself. Jeep issued TSB 08-060-16 to address this, but it is not a recall, so owners out of warranty pay $575–$1,963 to replace the module and harness. The real problem: dealers do not know how to stop the water from getting in, so it happens again. One owner had the brake lock up three separate times. Another found four inches of standing water in the spare tire well months after the last repair.
Brake booster recall parts shortages prevented repairs for over a year on many vehicles. Chrysler issued recall P14/NHTSA 14V-154 in May 2014 but allocated parts so slowly that dealers could not service vehicles. One customer was told he was #210 on the waiting list with no ETA. Another reported waiting 15 months while being passed between dealers who refused to take responsibility. Communication from Chrysler was poor—some owners said they were "blown off" when trying to get answers about whether the vehicle was safe to drive.
Less common but serious: several owners report brakes failing entirely or locking up unexpectedly while driving at low speeds, some resulting in collisions. Dealers cannot consistently replicate or diagnose these events.
Same Jeep Cherokee brakes reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Parking Brake Module Water Intrusion and Corrosion
Water enters the parking brake module and connector—located in the rear cargo area near the spare tire well or behind the rear tire—causing corrosion that either locks the parking brake in the engaged position, prevents disengagement, causes it to engage randomly while driving or parked, or triggers cascading warning lights (service park brake, ABS, 4WD). The root cause is poor weatherproofing: water pools in the spare tire well or seeps around body sealer at the inner fender. TSB 08-060-16 documents this issue but is not a recall. One ASE technician found a teaspoon of water inside the module itself. Multiple owners report water pooling in rear cargo areas (4 inches in one case) and the module corroding repeatedly even after replacement.
When: Typically within first 2–5 years of ownership; one case at 66,000 miles, another at 109,000 miles. Occurs in cold, wet climates.
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake engages suddenly while driving or parked; Parking brake will not disengage after engagement; Service park brake warning light illuminates; Red brake warning light flashes; Yellow electronic park brake warning light; 4WD system unavailable message; Shifter warning or service transmission message (cascading effects); Odometer flashing; Multiple dashboard warning lights (ABS, air bag, etc.); Car immobilized because brakes stay locked
Codes mentioned: C10CD01
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement of parking brake module and wiring harness; costs range $575–$1,963 for parts and labor. Resealing of rear cargo area attempted but does not guarantee prevention of recurrence since root cause (water ingress path) is not always identified. Independent mechanics can temporarily disconnect the brake to allow driving. Parts are often on backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 08-060-16 issued; however, this is not a formal recall. No systematic fix documented. Dealer response is inconsistent—some acknowledge corrosion, others suggest customer left windows down or claim inability to identify water source. Warranty does not cover out-of-warranty vehicles. Recall P14/NHTSA 14V-154 exists for brake booster but is unrelated to parking brake module water damage.
Brake Booster Recall (P14/NHTSA 14V-154) Parts Shortage and Delayed Repair
Owners received formal recall notice for brake booster safety defect beginning May 2014. However, dealers reported critical parts shortages lasting 4–15+ months. Chrysler did not allocate sufficient inventory to dealerships, forcing customers to wait on unofficial lists or with no updates. One owner waited over a year; another was #210 on a dealership list with no firm ETA. Dealers provided conflicting instructions (some initially told owners not to bring vehicle in until parts arrived; others later demanded the vehicle be brought in before confirming diagnosis). Communication from Chrysler was poor; some customers reported being "blown off" by the manufacturer.
When: Recall notices issued May 2014; delays extended into 2015. Customers reported waiting 4–15+ months.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake booster defect (specific symptom not detailed in most complaints; likely reduced brake assist); Customer unable to schedule repair due to parts unavailability
Repairs/costs cited: Part: Brake booster. Customers were quoted $575 parts + $700 labor ($1,275 total) at one dealership but faced indefinite waits. Dealers reported parts arriving sporadically and in small quantities with no ETA.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P14/NHTSA 14V-154 issued May 2014 for brake booster safety defect. However, Chrysler's response was criticized as inadequate: slow parts allocation, no waiting lists maintained by dealers (eliminating paper trail), no increase in production despite recall demand, and poor communication with recall assistance center. One customer was told the dealer could not provide assurance the vehicle was safe to drive while waiting.
Brake Rotors Premature Warping
Multiple owners report warped or pulsating brake rotors requiring replacement at very low mileage (18,000–28,000 miles). Dealers attributed this to owners overheating the brakes through driving habits, but owners dispute this—some claim normal driving, others had never experienced rotor failure before. One technician confirmed both front and rear rotors were defective from the manufacturer. One complaint specifically notes the electronic parking brake may be partially engaging while driving, causing the rotors to drag and overheat prematurely.
When: Within first 1–2 years; as early as 18,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulsation; Warped front and rear rotors; Brake vibration during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Full rotor replacement required (front and rear). Costs not specified in complaints. One owner offered to submit defective rotor to Jeep for inspection but was refused.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep corporate office representative directed owner to refer to vehicle warranty without acknowledging defect. Dealer refused to accept defective rotor for inspection.
Brake Failure or Loss of Brake Response
Owners report brakes failing to engage when depressed, loss of brake pressure, or sudden unintended brake engagement while driving at low to moderate speeds (27–35 mph). One owner experienced brakes suddenly locking up on an interstate highway. Another reported brake pedal unresponsive at a low-speed intersection, resulting in collision. In some cases, the vehicle shut down simultaneously with brake failure. Dealer diagnostics inconsistently identified the cause: some blamed body control module updates, electronic parking brake module corrosion, or transmission issues; others could not locate a fault.
When: Variable; one case at ~19,000 miles; another at 43,600 miles; another at ~30,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but brakes fail to engage; Loss of brake pressure; Brakes lock up suddenly; Check engine warning light illuminates; Shift to park light illuminates; Anti-skid warning light; Service transmission warning light; Flashing brake warning message on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs varied: body control module update, electronic parking brake module replacement, transmission bracket replacement. Failures recurred in some cases despite repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases and provided case numbers but did not offer systematic resolution. In one case (stop sign brake failure with collision), Chrysler promised a callback that never occurred.
Automatic Brake Engagement While Driving
On separate occasions, the vehicle's brakes engaged automatically without driver input while driving at low speeds (27–35 mph) on dry roads. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop, the dashboard flashed a brake warning, and the driver had no control. The incidents occurred in different locations and driving conditions, but the dealer could not find any stored diagnostic message or fault. One owner experienced this twice; another noted it happened while towing the vehicle behind an RV, causing the towed vehicle to sway dangerously. The risk is rear-end collision at highway speeds.
When: Two documented cases in June and August 2018; one towing incident (no date specified).
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal not depressed but brakes engage automatically; Vehicle stops abruptly; Brake warning light flashes on dashboard; Vehicle immobilized until restarted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to locate fault or replicate issue. No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Unrelated Fuel System Issue (Secondary Observation)
One owner reported recurring engine stalling and jerking after refueling, with loud slamming noises, loss of acceleration, and engine stalling on a highway. Dealers replaced an evaporation pressure switch but issue recurred. Owner suspects a rollover fuel valve malfunction. While not strictly a brake complaint, this occurred in the cluster and raises vehicle control reliability questions.
When: Multiple incidents over several months.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine sputtering and jerking after refueling; Loud slamming/banging noise; Engine stall; Loss of acceleration; Check gas cap and engine warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Evaporation pressure switch replaced; issue persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostics incomplete. Owner notes this is a known issue on multiple Jeep models.
Multiple Cascading Electrical/Control Module Failures
At least one vehicle experienced simultaneous illumination of multiple warning systems—shifter module, ABS, door modules, instrument cluster, integrated center stack, electronic parking brake, body control module, steering column, and transmission failure light—upon attempted start. Another vehicle exhibited shifter warning, service transmission, and multiple other lights. These suggest broader electrical or control architecture instability, possibly triggered by water intrusion or corrosion affecting multiple systems.
When: One documented case at 93,350 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights and modules illuminate simultaneously; Shifter module warning; ABS warning; Door module warnings (driver and passenger); Instrument cluster malfunction; Electronic parking brake warning; Body control module fault; Steering column warning; Transmission failure warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but provided no assistance. Dealer also informed owner of previous unlisted recalls completed on the vehicle.
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 85 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 34 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 18,388 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,388; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Jeep/Cherokee.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.