Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
moderate 238 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Of the 238 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Among the 9 model years of Jeep Cherokee in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
All 2 active electrical recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Without the activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges to provide vehicle information to the driver, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Buyer takeaway: The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has widespread electrical and powertrain issues affecting core safety systems. Stop/start failures cause unexpected engine shutoff in traffic, Uconnect infotainment malfunctions cause unintended vehicle actions, and sudden power loss happens without warning—all documented problems dealers cannot reliably fix and Jeep refuses to recall across all affected VINs.
The complaint narratives describe pervasive electrical failures across multiple systems in the 2019 Cherokee. The stop/start feature fails to restart the engine at traffic lights and in traffic, with owners reporting 3+ stall events and dealerships advising to disable the feature entirely. The 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen "ghosts"—changing radio stations, HVAC settings, activating the backup camera, and calling 911 automatically without driver input. Dealers confirmed delamination of the control panel.
Engine stalls during normal driving with no warning lights, causing loss of power steering and brakes. Batteries drain and die rapidly; some owners are on their third replacement within 20 months. The instrument panel cluster fails to display information or goes completely dark. Emergency brakes stick due to water infiltration. Unexpected acceleration occurs when the brake pedal is pressed, and the transmission fails to shift.
Two owners report vehicle fires. One ignited at 2,499 miles, another at 181,000 miles. Oil consumption is excessive in some vehicles, causing engine shutdowns when oil level drops. Multiple recall campaigns exist (18V-524 for PCM, 18V-917 for cluster, 19V-449 for sensors) but exclude many affected VINs despite identical fault codes. Dealers frequently state they cannot replicate issues or find no fault codes, even as failures recur weekly. Owners report online forums full of identical complaints with no manufacturer resolution.
Same Jeep Cherokee electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
The automatic stop/start feature fails to restart the engine, leaving the vehicle stranded or stalled. Engine shuts off unexpectedly during normal driving, braking, or at traffic lights. Owners report the vehicle must be restarted by cycling the key or waiting several minutes. Some incidents occur with no warning lights.
When: Within first 1000 miles through 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning at stop lights or in traffic; Vehicle fails to restart after stop/start engages; Brakes lock up and parking brake activates unexpectedly; All gears flash on display during malfunction; Vehicle rolls backward when unable to restart; No warning lights illuminated in some incidents; Temporary fix: cycling the key restarts vehicle
Codes mentioned: P0XXX (generic engine stall codes, per narratives), U11C2 (TCM/PCM related)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate the issue; oil consumption test recommended by some; PCM reprogramming attempted; no confirmed repair noted in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V-524 (Powertrain Control Module); Recall 18V-739 (Powertrain); some owners advised to keep stop/start feature disabled; dealers cleared fault codes and claimed no further action available
The 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen and control module fail intermittently or completely, causing unintended control inputs. The system changes radio, HVAC, activates backup camera, calls phone numbers including 911, and fails to respond to driver commands. Delamination of the control panel confirmed by dealers.
When: From 6 months into ownership onward; one case at 89,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Screen changes radio station, heat, AC settings without input; Backup camera activates while driving forward; Vehicle calls phone numbers and 911 automatically; Screen fades in and out to complete blackness; Display shows nothing but colored lines; Screen becomes unresponsive; Radio reboots while driving; Radio volume jumps to maximum on incoming calls; Bluetooth calling inoperable; other party cannot hear driver; Loud popping static noise on Bluetooth; Control panel has delaminated (confirmed by dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Control panel replacement required; one case had corrupted software update that dealer refused to install per Jeep guidance; software update attempted but ineffective in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Jeep confirmed safety issue; warranty replacement to 60,000 miles only; software update attempted but corrupted; Jeep instructed dealer not to install corrupted update
Engine cuts off suddenly while driving at various speeds with no warning. Vehicle loses all power including brakes, steering assist, and lighting. Owner must restart manually; some incidents occur multiple times per week.
When: Various mileages from 11 days (700 miles) to 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely while turning or in traffic; Brakes and power steering fail; All dashboard lights fail during stall; Vehicle coasts to stop without braking assist; No warning lights before stall occurs; Battery light flashes after restart in some cases; Oil light comes on before some stalls; Repeated stalls in same vehicle (up to 3+ times); Loss of acceleration capability after restart
Codes mentioned: No codes found in many cases, Oil level sensor fault codes in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Oil sensor replacement attempted but failure persisted; oil consumption test ongoing in one case; battery replacement attempted but ineffective; one case requires full engine long block replacement (~$13,900); many cases unrepaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V-524 (PCM manufacturing defect with suspect voltage regulator); some dealers unable to address due to recall exclusion of specific VINs; no manufacturer assistance offered in many cases
Battery drains rapidly and dies with no apparent external load. Vehicle will not start or takes multiple jump-start attempts. Dash lights flare and flicker upon restart. Some cases involve loose battery terminals or corroded connections.
When: Within first days to weeks of ownership; recurring at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dead after short parking periods; Vehicle will not start; requires jump-start; Takes multiple attempts to start after jump; All interior lights flashing after restart; Dashboard warning lights illuminate (ESC, Service 4WD, Power Brake, etc.); Battery light comes on during driving; Battery drains even when vehicle is off; Third battery replacement within 20 months in one case
Codes mentioned: Battery voltage issues (one owner noted 14.0V when fully charged)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (multiple times in some cases); battery terminals tightened or replaced; alternator replacement attempted in one case; electrical system reboot performed; no root cause identified in most cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim low battery voltage as diagnosis; no manufacturer response documented in most cases
Vehicle catches fire while parked or shortly after driving, destroying the vehicle. Burning odor noticed weeks before fire in one case. Fires originate from engine bay area.
When: At 2,499 miles and 181,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Black smoke and flames from under hood; Burning odor from engine area weeks before fire; All windows covered with black soot; Windshield cracked from heat; Heater vents and ignition melted; Dashboard and instrument panel severely burned; Wires exposed in dashboard; Fire department required to extinguish
Repairs/costs cited: One case deemed total loss; fire department investigation inconclusive; one owner speculated rodent in engine
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Vehicle loses motive power during driving while brakes remain engaged or unresponsive. Steering becomes difficult or locks up. Multiple electrical failures occur simultaneously.
When: Various mileages from 31,000 to 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while turning or driving uphill; Brakes activate unexpectedly, causing stall; Brakes lock up and fail to release; Power steering assist fails; Squealing brakes during pedal depression; Vehicle coasts without power; Jerky acceleration when depressing gas pedal; Traction control and stability lights illuminate; Emergency brake activates without driver input
Codes mentioned: C0061 (lateral acceleration sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil replacement attempted; brake replacement; battery replacement; antifreeze leak found in one case; alternator replacement attempted; electronic stability control switch replaced; no permanent repair confirmed in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V-449 (lateral acceleration sensor) excludes some VINs despite same fault codes; no manufacturer assistance in many cases
BCM fails completely, causing uncontrolled electrical behavior. Vehicle cannot be shut down normally; engine continues running after key removed. All dashboard lights flash uncontrollably.
When: Failure timing not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start or turn over initially; All dashboard lights flash uncontrollably after restart; Engine continues running after ignition turned off; Key removal does not shut off engine; Only battery disconnection stops engine; SCCM also non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: BCM replacement required; component on backorder with no estimated availability; SCCM may also need replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Instrument panel cluster fails to display information or displays incorrect information. Screen goes dark, gauges stop working, and warning lights do not illuminate when needed. In some cases, automatic calling to 911 occurs.
When: Various mileages; one case mentioned 7 weeks into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument panel gauges go dark; Mileage display blinks; Screen turns completely blue and unresponsive; Vehicle automatically calls 911 multiple times; SOS call displays as unsuccessful before calling again; No warning lights illuminate when needed; Cluster malfunction diagnosed per recall criteria
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall UC4/NHTSA 18V-917 (Instrument Panel Cluster) exists but excludes many VINs; manufacturer refuses to cover out-of-recall vehicles despite identical symptoms
Emergency/parking brake corrodes and becomes stuck or unresponsive. Vehicle cannot move when brake is engaged. Safety features that depend on brake status fail to function.
When: After driving through heavy rain; recurring issues
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency brake sticks and will not release; Vehicle cannot move when brake engaged; Water leaks into brake module causing corrosion; Automatic brake engagement features fail; Roll-away protection feature disabled; Safety belt warning feature disabled
Codes mentioned: Emergency brake error codes (specific codes not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic verification via computer diagnostic; no repair information in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refuses to cover under warranty; described as 'known issue' by owners
Vehicle accelerates when brake pedal is pressed, or accelerator fails to respond when pressed. RPMs spike to 4000-5000 and hold. Steering becomes stiff and unresponsive during events.
When: At various speeds from 25 MPH to highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Pressing brake causes acceleration instead; RPMs reach 4000-5000 and hold; Accelerator pedal fails to respond; Steering wheel becomes stiff and unresponsive; Vehicle limited to 29 MPH in one case; Service 4WD unavailable warning appears; Transmission downshifts unexpectedly to first gear
Codes mentioned: Electronic Stability Control faults
Repairs/costs cited: No confirmed repairs in narratives; one owner instructed by Chrysler to apply gas then brake when event occurs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler advises workaround (apply gas then brake); no recall or repair offered
Airbag panels are exposed, detached, or damaged. Wires are left exposed. Vehicles delivered in this condition and rejected.
When: Upon delivery from dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side airbag panel exposed, dirty, and wet; Passenger side airbag panel hanging down; Exposed wires on passenger side; Interior dirty upon delivery
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle rejected and not accepted by buyer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Carvana (third-party seller) offered $100 Visa gift card to accept defective vehicle; refused to pick up swap vehicle
Transmission fails to shift or respond to gear selection. Drive gear flashes on display. Vehicle unable to accelerate or move in desired direction.
When: At various speeds and traffic conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Drive (D) flashes on dash during malfunction; Transmission will not shift into gear; All gears flash on display; Vehicle rolls backward uncontrollably; Brakes lock out during event; Gas pedal unresponsive; 'Service Transmission Restart in Park' message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information confirmed in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Engine consumes excessive oil, leading to low oil level warnings and engine shutdowns to protect from damage. Vehicle shuts off during turns or acceleration when oil is low.
When: Early ownership through 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil level drops rapidly between services; Oil light comes on frequently; Vehicle shuts off during sharp turns or slowing; Engine stalls to protect from damage (per dealer); No noise from engine when starting after stall
Codes mentioned: Oil level sensor faults
Repairs/costs cited: Oil consumption test initiated by dealer; oil sensor replacement attempted; owners instructed to check oil every 1000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers recommend oil consumption test to send to Mopar; no recall or fix offered; one dealer charged $130 diagnostic fee
Vehicle randomly refuses to start. Will not respond to jump-start attempts but starts immediately once towed to service center. Multiple episodes over months or years.
When: Several months apart, recurring episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Will not jump-start; Starts immediately once towed to service center; Diagnostic finds no fault codes; Issue never replicates during service; Episodes repeat despite repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement attempted as temporary fix; hundreds of dollars spent on towing and diagnosis; vehicle eventually sold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep denied lemon buyback; arbitration also denied case; acknowledged to pay for some repairs if done at Jeep dealership
Radio and speakers fail to function properly. Volume controls unresponsive, radio turns on and off without input, and backup camera audio fails.
When: From early ownership onward
Symptoms owners cite: Radio turns on and off by itself while driving; Screen flickers and makes beeping noises; Screen freezes; Radio display shows 'ENTER ANTI-THEFT LOCK CODE' message; Audio fades in and out when feature is off; Audio completely silent on startup; Left fog light turns on and off while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replacement performed; replacement radio exhibits same issues; multiple dealer visits without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
4WD system displays overheat warning and becomes unavailable. Service 4WD warning lights illuminate. System fails to function when needed.
When: During hot weather driving
Symptoms owners cite: '4WD overheated. Temporarily unavailable' warning; Service 4WD unavailable message; 4WD feature disabled; Warning appears once then not again during drive
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Synthesized from 238 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What happened : The vehicle experienced a sudden electrical failure and loss of normal shutdown control. The vehicle would not start or turn over. After repeated attempts, it eventually started, at which point all dashboard lights began flashing uncontrollably. The engine continued running even after the ignition was turned off and the key was removed. The only way to shut the vehicle down was…
The radio has started switching channels will not stay on one set station. Along with radio switching the touch screen also changes from maps to calling 911 and making sos calls, the back up camera will turn on while driving down roadway. The screen is constantly blinking and changing causes major distraction especially at night when it catches your eye. It is a major distraction while…
While driving the SUV shuts off completely. No engine power, no lights, no steering. This has happened 6 times leaving the SUV in the dark with no lights with children int he car. The SUV shuts down while in motion, at 45mph speeds on county roads and at high speed 70 MPH + on turnpike. I am scared for my life. Dealer is not helping me. I put the last date in. It happened 6 times.
Without any previous warnings, the car stopped in the middle of the drive. Then the battery warning turned on, after trying to turn it back on.
When stoped car turned off. Car cant turn on and I need to wait a while. When stoped and going to turn it turns off. It stalls a lot especially when stoped at a light or stop sign.
The vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure of the powertrain/engine system. Based on dealer inspection, the failure requires complete replacement of the engine long block assembly, indicating an internal engine failure rather than a minor or maintenance-related issue. The vehicle and failed components are available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 238 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 107 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 4,850 and 33,000 miles, with the median around 18,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,850; a quarter make it past 33,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 — 2 active recall(s) cover electrical 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.