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severe Owners of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee have filed 47 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 14,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Cherokee | 55 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 39 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 23 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 20 |
| 2019 Cherokee (this page) | 47 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 10 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 7 |
Among the 8 model years of Jeep Cherokee in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following DTCs: P1D83 - Implausible Engine Oil Temperature Signal Received. P2610 - PCM Internal Engine Off Timer Performance. P06EF - Engine Restart Performance. P0456 - EVAP System Small Leak.If DTC P0456 is present use the wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) to determine if a leak is present in the system. C1252 - Vacuum Pump Control Circuit - Performance Or Incorrect Operation. P06DA - Engine Oil Pressure Control
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DIFFERENTIAL, Rear Axle (KL 4WD w/DK4 = 2-SPEED RDM) The Differential, Rear Axle (aka RDM) design, pump design, Driveline Control Module (aka DLCM) hardware & software and pressure sensor have all changed in the past few years. The chages are not interchangeable and each had a separate implementation date. Please comprehend it to avoid repeat repairs. There are 2 sections each with 3 sub-sections: 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2) For 2016 and later VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK4 = 2-spd RDM 2014 - 2015 VINs built with a 2-speed RDM used a 24 plate clutch design. Service RDMs (DK4: 68545100AA and DK4 + AWL: 68545101AA) have a 20-plate design. 1.1) If replacing
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DIFFERENTIAL, Rear Axle (KL 4WD w/DK2 = 1-SPEED RDM) The Differential, Rear Axle (aka RDM) design, pump design, Driveline Control Module (aka DLCM) hardware & software and pressure sensor have all changed in the past few years. The changes are not interchangeable and each had a separate implementation date. Please comprehend it to avoid repeat repairs. There are 2 sections each with 3 sub-sections: 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2) For 2016 and later VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2014 - 2015 VINs were built with a 1-speed RDM used a 24 plate clutch design. New service RDMs 68550586A$ use a 20-plate design. 1.1) If replacing the RDM · 24 plate and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2019 Cherokees describe brake system failures ranging from catastrophic to chronic. The most dangerous: brake pedal sinking to the floor with no stopping power at speeds from 25 to 75 mph, requiring drivers to use the parking brake to stop. One owner had this happen 13 days after purchase; another experienced it near a highway construction zone.
Electronic parking brake engages without warning while driving—at stoplights, in parking lots, on the highway—causing abrupt stops and engine stalls. This happens multiple times in the same vehicles, sometimes within months of ownership, with dealerships unable to reproduce the fault in service.
Warped front and rear rotors appear before 35,000 miles, sometimes with brake pads still at 70 percent life. One owner replaced all four rotors at 25,000 miles; the problem returned within 1.5 months. Rear brake calipers lock up intermittently—during reversing, turning, low-speed parking maneuvers, and at 20–30 mph on roads. FCA issued recall 18V523000 blaming a defective coating on the caliper piston; the factory fix is brake bleeding, but owners report lock-ups continue.
Brake booster leaks at 20,000 miles, causing stiff pedal and cold-start failure. Metal-on-metal grinding persists after six separate dealer service attempts. ABS and traction control lights illuminate with sensor failures. One owner's brake system failed while stopped at a red light, and the vehicle rolled forward into another car.
Same Jeep Cherokee brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Brake pedal sinks to the floorboard or loses responsiveness, leaving drivers unable to stop the vehicle. Often occurs suddenly with little warning. One incident involved brake fluid leakage from a rear wheel with a loose bleed screw.
When: 13 days, 15,395 miles, 14,000 miles, 75 mph, and various undisclosed mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor; Unable to stop vehicle; Pedal unresponsive to pressure; Brake fluid leakage from rear wheel; Brake warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Loose bleed screw found and tightened at 14,000 miles. Dealer diagnosed rotor and caliper replacement needed at 15,395 miles but vehicle not repaired. One driver used parking brake to stop vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign number 18V523000 referenced (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Dealer recall service delayed due to inventory prioritization.
Parking brake activates on its own during normal driving—at intersections, while reversing, turning, or at highway speeds—causing the vehicle to stop abruptly. No driver input on the brake button. Occurs repeatedly in same vehicles.
When: 13 days, 25 mph reversing, 15 mph in drive, city streets, highway speeds, 1,000 miles, bumpy roads while towing, at stoplights, driveway maneuvers, 18,500 miles, and recurring multiple times over 2–3 years
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic parking brake engages without driver input; Vehicle stops abruptly; Brake warning light illuminates in red; Dashboard prompts appear to disable brake; Engine may stall; Happens on bumpy roads, during turns, at stops, in reverse and drive
Codes mentioned: P0973 (Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low)
Repairs/costs cited: Drivers report turning car off and restarting to reset the brake. Dealership unable to reproduce issue in service. No permanent repairs documented. One owner had to use multiple brake button presses to regain control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep headquarters stated they had no one interested in investigating towing-related incidents. Dealership mentioned computer activates emergency brake on bumpy road stretches. NHTSA investigating this problem per owner report.
Rotors warp early in vehicle life, sometimes with pads still having significant life remaining. Replacements sometimes fail quickly. Pattern of repeat warping suggests manufacturing defect or design issue with factory rotors.
When: 25,000 miles, 35,000 miles, 84,000 miles (rear), <35,000 miles after second repair, less than 1.5 months after first repair
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pulsation when stopping; Grinding noise from brakes; Squeaking noise; Skipping/sliding sensation during braking; Grinding metal-on-metal sound
Repairs/costs cited: All four rotors replaced at 25,000 miles; problem recurred within 1.5 months. Front rotors and pads replaced again; same skipping/sliding issue continued at 15,500 miles. Shop recommended caliper replacement. One dealership replaced front pads and rotors at 15,500 miles. Caliper bolts found missing at 84,000 miles. Dealer stated rotors should last 70,000 miles but factory units failed early; owner charged ~$600 for brake job.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned for this failure mode.
Rear brakes lock up spontaneously multiple times during normal driving at various speeds and conditions. FCA recall (U86 / 18V523000) attributes failure to defective coating on caliper piston that causes gas in brake line. FCA solution was brake bleeding rather than piston/caliper replacement.
When: ~30 mph highway, driveway, parking lots, football field, within first two weeks of ownership and recurring 4 times over months; 18,500 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes lock up without warning; Vehicle stops abruptly; Happens at low speed and highway speed; Dealer unable to reproduce in shop
Repairs/costs cited: FCA recall solution: brake bleeding only. Owner reports dealership could not duplicate the problem and refused further action. Multiple lock-ups occurred after initial service (two weeks, one month, five months, three weeks later). Owner states piston coating is defective and bleeding is insufficient fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA Recall U86 / NHTSA 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Recall involves brake bleeding procedure. Owner disputes effectiveness of recall repair.
Brake booster develops leak, causing stiff brake pedal and cold-start issues. Discovered only when owner brought car in for service; no warning light alerts driver to the problem.
When: 20,000 miles on 2019 model
Symptoms owners cite: Stiff brake pedal; Car won't start when cold; No warning indicator illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed leaky brake booster and quoted $1,295 for replacement. Vehicle had only 20,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty coverage mentioned; owner requested recall consideration.
Automatic Emergency Braking system engages without collision threat, causing sudden loss of vehicle motive power and speed reduction. Associated with AUTO START/STOP malfunction and brake warning lights.
When: 60 mph driving, 153,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: AEB activates without reason; Vehicle loses motive power; Speed drops to ~30 mph; AUTO START/STOP lights illuminate; Brake warning light on
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken for diagnosis or repair. No dealer contact made.
Multiple warning lights illuminate—ABS, traction control, parking brake, forward collision prevention, and back-over sensors deactivate independently. Vehicle may be unsafe to drive with disabled safety systems.
When: 77,000 miles, undisclosed speeds
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light; Traction control warning light; Parking brake warning light; Forward collision sensors deactivated; Back-over prevention sensors deactivated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer made aware but provided no assistance. Vehicle not repaired. VIN not associated with unknown recall referenced by owner.
ABS control module and throttle body module fail, triggering brake and throttle warning messages and erroneous brake activation at highway speed.
When: ~50 mph, 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes activate without reason; Vehicle stops abruptly in road; Service Emergency Brake message displayed; Service Throttle Body message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed faulty ABS control module and throttle body requiring replacement. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Local dealer contacted but provided no assistance.
Persistent grinding or metal-on-metal sound during braking unresolved after six separate dealer service attempts over extended period. Problem continues despite multiple repair attempts.
When: Recurring, 12-day shop visit on final attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal grinding sound when braking; Unsafe feeling while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair six times; problem persists. Vehicle returned after 12-day service visit with same noise still present.
Brake fluid leaks from under engine near drive shaft. Brake pedal gradually moves closer to floor over time. Possible fracture in aluminum casting.
When: Undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal fading / moving closer to floor; Fluid leak visible under engine near drive shaft; Possible aluminum casting fracture
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted.
Synthesized from 47 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 2,600 and 69,000 miles, with the median around 14,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,600; a quarter make it past 69,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.