2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Jeep Cherokee lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 22,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Cherokee (this page) | 24 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 29 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 14 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 5 |
1fire
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Jeep Cherokee in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline - X89 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the PTU assembly with an updated part. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P1720-00 - Output Speed Sensor-Wheel Speed Rationality. P215C-00 - Output Shaft Speed Wheel Speed Correlation. The customer may also describe one or more of the following: Grinding noise coming from under the vehicle while driving. Vehicle will not move.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline - X89 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the PTU assembly with an updated part. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P1720-00 - Output Speed Sensor-Wheel Speed Rationality. P215C-00 - Output Shaft Speed Wheel Speed Correlation. The customer may also describe one or more of the following: Grinding noise coming from under the vehicle while driving. Vehicle will not move.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline - X89 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the PTU assembly with an updated part. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P1720-00 - Output Speed Sensor-Wheel Speed Rationality. P215C-00 - Output Shaft Speed Wheel Speed Correlation. The customer may also describe one or more of the following:Grinding noise coming from under the vehicle while driving. Vehicle will not move.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LED Front Fog Lamps Flicker Or Intermittently Light, Are Dim Or Inoperative. A U11E9, or B16FB-15 may be set
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe poor headlight output as a primary safety defect. They cannot see more than 20-30 feet ahead at night, objects remain invisible until the vehicle is nearly on top of them, and the difference between low and high beams is minimal. The problem appears early—sometimes within days of purchase, occasionally by 200 miles. Multiple owners in rural or unlit areas report the lights are dangerous; one owner who replaced standard bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar halogen units found no improvement, ruling out simple bulb inadequacy.
A dealer in Florida confirmed the failure was common for 2014 Cherokees and that the manufacturer acknowledged it as a known issue but offered no assistance. Jeep's own tech notes admitted the "complaint about dim headlights is pretty prevalent."
Beyond dimness, owners report repeated bulb failures—one owner replaced them four times within months at $130 per bulb; another faced a $1000+ module replacement or continued $130 bulb swaps. One owner noted moisture collecting inside the lens. A separate complaint describes dashboard lights flickering with audible relay clicks during acceleration and deceleration. One owner also reported the automatic headlight switch turning itself off, creating a hidden safety hazard since the dash remains lit even when headlights are off.
Same Jeep Cherokee lighting reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Insufficient headlight illumination / poor beam output
Headlights fail to provide adequate light output for safe night driving. Owners report inability to see objects 20-30 feet ahead, poor visibility on dark roads, inadequate light projection at sides of vehicle, and marginal difference between low and high beams. Problem persists even after bulb replacement with aftermarket units.
When: Typically evident early in ownership, as low as 200-1000 miles; continues throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to see road clearly at night; Objects not visible until vehicle is upon them; Poor visibility in rain and wet conditions; Inadequate side illumination for spotting pedestrians/animals; Lights seem to dim when passing other vehicles; Minimal difference between high and low beam settings
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced bulbs with Sylvania Silverstar halogen ZXE; problem persisted. Dealers confirmed dimness but offered no solution. One owner attempted aftermarket headlight replacement with no improvement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer stated vehicle was 'operating as designed'; Jeep acknowledged complaint about dim headlights was 'pretty prevalent' per narrative #1. Dealer in narrative #11 stated failure was common for same year/make/model; manufacturer admitted known issue but offered no assistance.
Repeated headlight bulb failure
Headlight bulbs fail repeatedly within short time intervals, forcing owners to replace them multiple times at high cost. One owner replaced bulbs four times within several months; another experienced three failures over a few months.
When: First failure as early as 8,800 miles; repeated failures occur weeks to months apart
Symptoms owners cite: One or both headlights fail to illuminate; Bulb burnout
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacement cost approximately $130 per bulb. Dealer indicated bulbs might continue to fail as side effect of module problem, though owner noted this was not confirmed. One owner faced choice between repeated $130 bulb replacements or $500+ to keep lights working versus $1500+ module replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealers handled repairs through warranty. Narrative #4 indicates dealer diagnosed module problem but offered no recall or warranty solution.
Headlight module / electrical failure
Underlying module or electrical system failure contributes to or causes headlight malfunction. One owner told module replacement would cost over $1000; dealer suggested bulb failures might be side effect of module problem.
When: Timing variable; one owner quoted $1000+ repair cost
Symptoms owners cite: Repeated headlight bulb failures; Both headlights failing simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement estimated at over $1000. Owner declined repair and instead paid for repeated bulb replacements at $130 each.
Headlight lens condensation / moisture intrusion
Moisture builds up inside headlight lens, collecting on both interior and exterior surfaces. One owner noted lens placed too far back in housing, contributing to moisture accumulation.
When: Evident as early as 200 miles into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Condensation visible inside headlight lens; Moisture on interior and exterior of lens
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer stated moisture buildup was normal; owner notified manufacturer but no resolution documented.
Automatic headlight switch malfunction
Headlight control knob turns to off position on its own, despite owner keeping it on automatic setting. Occurred 4-5 times over several months of ownership. Dealer stated knob must be physically turned and questioned whether malfunction was actually possible.
When: Multiple occurrences over several months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight knob found in off position without driver input; Headlights off despite being set to automatic
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted knob location would make accidental operation nearly impossible. Safety concern because dashboard lights remain on, masking fact that headlights are off.
Headlight assembly design flaw (lens/bulb positioning)
Headlight bulbs positioned too far back in lens housing, reducing light projection. Design places bulbs toward rear of lens rather than forward position, compromising beam output and light distribution.
When: Design flaw present from manufacture
Symptoms owners cite: Inadequate light projection; Poor visibility at sides of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted bulbs set back in housing; another owner suspected lens placed too low and set back, reducing effective illumination.
Headlight dimming / electrical load issue
Brake, tail, and headlights dim or fail during driving, suggesting possible electrical system load management or alternator problem.
When: Approximately 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights, brake lights, and tail lights dim simultaneously; Lights fail to respond
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed possible alternator replacement needed. One narrative mentions alternator replacement performed; another mentions alternator failing and burning while driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #6 mentions Chrysler reimbursed for alternator replacement following a recall.
Dashboard light flicker with audible relay click
Dashboard lights flicker on and off repeatedly with audible click sound, behavior similar to automatic headlamp cycling but affecting all dash lights. Occurs most frequently during acceleration or deceleration.
When: Occurred for past 2 weeks at time of complaint; daily during short commutes
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flicker on and off; Audible clicking sound coinciding with flicker; Occurs during acceleration and deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Owner uncertain whether headlamps or running lights also affected.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
This is what I mailed to: Chrysler group llc customer center december 6, 2014 p.o. Box 21-8004 auburn hills, mi 48321-8004 phone 877-426-5337 re: headlights authorized dealer:darlings auto mall 16 kingsland xing ellsworth, me 04605 phone 207-667-2571 vehicle identification number:[xxx] vehicle delivery date:11-21-2013 current mileage:7420 from the first time that I drove…
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 10,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 22,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.