LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee have filed 43 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 36,638 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | 37 |
| 2012 Grand Cherokee | 29 |
| 2013 Grand Cherokee | 6 |
| 2014 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 43 |
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 8 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee | 14 |
Owners have filed 43 suspension 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.
Among the 17 model years of Jeep Grand Cherokee in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
Air Suspension System Diagnosis
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
CV axle failures dominate these narratives. Owners with March–April 2014 build-date vehicles report grease leaking from front axle boots within 100–900 miles of purchase. The loose boot clamps allow joint grease to spray onto wheels, brake rotors, and suspension components—a direct brake contamination risk. Even after dealer replacement with new axles, the boots leak again. Online forums show hundreds discussing the same issue, yet no recall exists and Jeep initially denied awareness.
Air suspension problems are just as severe. Owners encounter "SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION IMMEDIATELY" warnings, with compressors and air bags failing prematurely. Repairs run $4,000+ and parts routinely sit on back order for 2+ months, leaving vehicles undrivable. One owner reported the compressor catching fire. Cold-weather operation is unreliable; the system freezes and shorts its relay. Some vehicles are stuck at the lowest suspension point, creating a dangerously rough ride.
Steering and control issues appear frequently. One owner's steering wheel vibrated above 60 mph despite tire balancing; another reported autonomous leftward pull at highway speeds, which Chrysler engineers bizarrely deemed "normal." A control arm snapped during a braking event, and separate incidents describe vehicles rolling out of Park or shifting into Reverse unintended.
Secondary failures include steering rack leaks (power steering fluid contaminating the engine), rear shock leaks, rear differential failures without warning, and multiple electronic faults triggering cascading warning lights at startup. Dealers and Jeep customer care have been slow to acknowledge patterns or provide consistent remedies.
Same Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
CV axle boots failing / CV joint clamps loose
CV boot clips slip or come loose, allowing grease to leak from the CV joint and spread onto wheels, brake components, suspension parts, and brake rotors. Owners report this occurs on both front axles, often at very low mileage. Grease contamination on brake rotors poses a brake failure risk.
When: Typically within first 700-900 miles; appears linked to vehicles with March-April 2014 build dates
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive grease visible inside wheel rim; Grease leaking onto brake splash guard, caliper, rotor, and suspension components; Retaining ring or clamp visibly loose or detached; Fluid pooling or dripping underneath vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement half-axle shafts ordered; parts frequently on back order. Multiple replacements sometimes required. Third-party sources mention bands/clamps may be too loose or boots too short.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep Customer Care claims no initial awareness of the issue despite multiple reports in online forums. Some dealers unaware of trend. No recall issued despite owner evidence of widespread problem affecting hundreds of owners.
Air suspension system failures (Quadra-Lift)
Air suspension compressor or air bags fail, triggering 'SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION IMMEDIATELY' warning. Compressor may overheat and fail; air bags leak internally. Some owners report suspension stuck at lowest setting with no ability to raise vehicle, creating a rough, unsafe ride.
When: Varies; reported from early ownership through higher mileage; cold-weather failures noted; some failures occur with no prior warning lights
Symptoms owners cite: Service air suspension warning light displayed; Suspension stuck at lowest position or in off-road mode; Very rough, bumpy ride; Vehicle rides on tires at extreme angle (tops angled inward); No warning lights preceding failure; Failure in cold temperatures; system freezes and shorts relay
Codes mentioned: SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION IMMEDIATELY, SERVICE ADAPTIVE DAMPING SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of air suspension bags (both sides) and compressor/pump; costs cited at $4,300 or more. Parts frequently on back order (200+ orders on back order in Canada reported). Multiple replacement attempts sometimes required within warranty period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued. Jeep aware of issue per customer service but denies recall. Compressor noted to be in short supply (2-month wait reported). Some owners report manufacturer acknowledgement of defect but no remedy.
Steering rack and pinion seal/boot leaks
Power steering fluid leaks from steering rack and pinion boots/seals, spraying fluid onto engine components. Leak worsens over time, requiring daily fluid top-ups.
When: Reported at 55,000 miles on 2014 vehicle maintained in immaculate condition; leak discovered during routine maintenance in 2018, worsened by July 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Visible power steering fluid leaking from steering rack and pinion; Fluid spraying onto engine; Fluid dripping under vehicle; Reservoir fluid depletion
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack and pinion replacement needed; owner reports Jeep/Chrysler denied warranty coverage, citing vehicle outside warranty timeline.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied warranty coverage, claiming issue outside warranty timeline. Owner reports Jeep knew of problem since 2012 but took no action. No recall issued.
Electronic control module (PCM) faults causing cascading warning lights
At vehicle startup, the gauge cluster displays multiple 'SERVICE IMMEDIATELY' warnings for ABS, air bags, 4x4 suspension, ParkSense, and other systems simultaneously. Speedometer becomes inoperative. Warnings persist despite power cycling. Issue recurs multiple times over weeks. Dealer initially performed PCM reconfiguration; later diagnosis revealed faulty ABS module.
When: Occurred at startup; first instance followed by recurrence two weeks later, then again within that period
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple service warnings displayed simultaneously at startup; Speedometer non-operational; Blind spot monitoring status uncertain; Check engine light on; Power cycling does not clear codes; Warnings persist during driving
Codes mentioned: SERVICE IMMEDIATELY (ABS), SERVICE IMMEDIATELY (Air Bags), SERVICE IMMEDIATELY (4x4 Suspension), SERVICE IMMEDIATELY (ParkSense)
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reconfiguration performed at dealer per Chrysler protocol; subsequent diagnosis revealed ABS module replacement needed, which resolved the issue after two weeks without recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep assigned case manager; dealer unaware of issue until owner cited online forums showing others with ABS module replacement. Case manager indicated all systems displaying warnings were 'probably' working but would not confirm. Recommended towing vehicle if issue recurs.
Vehicle drift / autonomous steering at highway speeds
Vehicle turns to the left on its own during highway driving—not drifting but actual steering input without driver input. Condition present across multiple drive cycles and confirmed by dealer three times.
When: Observed at highway speeds; issue persistent across multiple service visits
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls or turns left without driver steering input; Occurs at highway speeds; Consistent, repeatable behavior
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler engineers determined condition is 'normal' for 2014/15 Grand Cherokees due to air suspension design. No corrective action taken despite owner safety concerns.
Steering wheel vibration at speed
Steering wheel vibrates with force when driving over 60 mph. Tire rotation and balancing performed multiple times without resolution. Independent tire specialist and mechanic confirmed tires operating normally and suspected defective suspension.
When: Failure mileage approximately 320 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibrates with force; Vibration occurs above 60 mph; Vibration persists despite tire balancing and rotation
Repairs/costs cited: Tires rotated and balanced multiple times; no repair performed. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but took no corrective action.
Rear differential seal/hose failure and overheating
Rear differential fails without warning, with hose melting due to overheating. Vehicle sprays oil over rear of vehicle. No warning indicators display prior to failure.
When: Occurs without warning; no prior overheating indicators
Symptoms owners cite: Oil spraying from rear of vehicle; No warning lights or failure indicators prior to failure; Rear differential failure; Hose melted due to overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential replacement required; owner notes this is a common problem discovered through online research.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer response unclear beyond technical diagnosis. Owner reports safety concern that vehicle could lock up or flip with no warning.
Control arm fracture / suspension failure during braking
Front passenger side control arm snapped off during braking event, causing loss of tire and loss of vehicle control.
When: Occurred during normal driving with braking event
Symptoms owners cite: Control arm snapped/fractured; Tire loss; Loss of vehicle control; Brake lockup or malfunction preceding failure
Repairs/costs cited: Control arm replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated.
Rear shock fluid leaks and deterioration
Rear shocks leak all fluid, making vehicle hard to control on rough surfaces. Replacement shocks leak again within one month. Replacement shocks on back order.
When: Fluid loss reported; recurrence within one month of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from rear shocks; Loss of damping control; Vehicle difficult to control on rough surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: Rear shocks replaced; new shocks failed within one month. Replacement parts on back order; vehicle fitted with aftermarket shocks as temporary solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated; parts on back order.
Air suspension suspension recall parts unavailability (14V392000)
Owners received recall notification (NHTSA 14V392000) for suspension, but required parts are unavailable for extended periods, delaying repair well beyond reasonable timeframe.
When: Recall issued; parts unavailable at time of recall attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Suspension system requires repair per recall
Repairs/costs cited: Parts unavailable; dealers unable to provide expected availability dates. Vehicle held by dealers pending parts arrival.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued (14V392000) but parts supply chain failure prevents timely repair. Manufacturer has not addressed extended wait times.
Air suspension system cold-weather dysfunction
In winter and cold temperatures, air suspension freezes and stops functioning. Vehicle becomes difficult to drive with rough ride. Service light displays. System works normally when warm.
When: Winter months; cold-weather condition onset
Symptoms owners cite: Service air suspension warning light; Suspension freezes at riding level; Rough, bumpy ride; Suspension does not respond to commands; Suspension relay shorts in cold
Codes mentioned: SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION IMMEDIATELY
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports repair performed, but issue recurred one week later with same failure mode.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: System failures persist; design does not address cold-weather operation.
Air suspension compressor fire
Air ride suspension compressor caught fire while vehicle was running in park. Fire melted wires, hoses, and inner fender cover. Owner extinguished fire.
When: Vehicle running in park, while owner inflating tires
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from front passenger area; Compressor fire; Melted wires and hoses; Damage to inner fender cover
Repairs/costs cited: Fire damage to compressor, wiring, hoses, and fender; replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated.
Rear suspension creaking and cracking noises
In cold weather, rear suspension emits creaking and cracking noises, particularly during low-speed driving. Suspected issue with rear suspension bushings.
When: Cold weather; low-speed driving
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noises from rear suspension; Cracking noises from rear suspension; Noises during low-speed driving; Cold-weather onset
Repairs/costs cited: Suspected rear suspension bushing issue; one owner made appointment for dealer inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated.
Engine ticking noise and running issues with air suspension stuck low
Air suspension stuck at lowest point; engine develops ticking sound and runs poorly.
When: Suspension failure occurred approximately two months before report
Symptoms owners cite: Suspension stuck at lowest point; Engine ticking sound; Vehicle running poorly / not running right
Repairs/costs cited: Not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated.
Unintended vehicle movement in park (rollaway)
Vehicle rolled approximately 100 feet while in Park with engine running, unattended, through parking lot and across road down a levee, striking a tree. In separate incident, vehicle shifted into Reverse independently after being placed in Park, rolling backwards approximately 10 feet; failure recurred twice.
When: Engine running, vehicle in Park; second incident at 4,960 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolled despite being in Park; Vehicle shifted into Reverse independently; Backward rollback without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not stated. First incident resulted in California Highway Patrol response; no citation issued. Insurance paid damage less deductible.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I recently purchased a 2014 Jeep grand cherokee. At highway speeds the vehicle will turn, not drift but turn, to the left. I have had the vehicle in for service three times for this issue each time by the service department at cross Jeep in louisville. I was told today that the Chrysler engineers have determined that this issue is ?normal? For the 2014/15 grand cherokees because of the air…
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 7,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 36,638. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.