Body Problems of Jeep Cherokee - part 1

Vehicle experienced a sudden no-start condition in July 2025 after being parked for ~2 weeks. Engine cranked briefly, then shut off and displayed a red immobilizer warning. Obd-ii scans showed bcm memory faults (b22a9), immobilizer lockout (p0513), can-c bus communication errors, and repeated low-voltage codes. Dealer replaced pcm (~$1,550) but vehicle still inoperative. Dealer then determined bcm (body control module, part #68141881aj) failed, but part has been discontinued by mopar and is unavailable nationwide. Used bcms are VIN-locked, leaving no authorized repair path. Vehicle is also subject to NHTSA recall 23v338000 (power liftgate module electrical short / parasitic drain). My vehicle showed repeated low-voltage events consistent with this defect, which likely corrupted the bcm and immobilizer system. Dealer confirmed recall parts are still backordered. As a result, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee with only ~32,000 miles has been rendered permanently inoperable due to discontinued safety-critical electronics. The defect creates a substantial safety risk because electrical shorts can occur while parked or driving, and owners are left without remedy.

See all problems of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

Electronic parking brake engaged and wouldn't release. Possibility of occurrence while driving. Problem has been confirmed by independent service center to have been caused by water leakage into the area where the parking control module is located. Water was found pooling in parking control module which corroded connecters. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone but the service center. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

See all problems of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

Airbags didn't deploy when I was hit by another driver whose speed was greater than 35mph n the other driver didn't break or slow down when hitting me on the driver n left passenger doors. I requested for my insurance company to preserve the vehicle for inspection but I don't know how long they can hold it because it was determined a total loss. When I was hit none of my airbags deployed n because of that, left side of my head n shoulder were slammed into driver's door. The vehicle was inspected by my insurance n a certified mechanic n due to impact n location of damage done to vehicle, both parties determined vehicle was total loss n couldn't b repaired. There were no warnings lamps or any messages n other symptoms of the problem prior to deployment failure.

See all problems of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

My panoramic sunroof just shattered without reason. I wasn't close enough to any vehicle for a rock or debris to be the issue I was driving a steady speed on the freeway when it happen. The glass that broke seemed to have broke outward not inward.

After learning of the recall for the lift gate module because of water intrusions of multiple points. The wiring harness to the lift gate module was serverly corroded and had to be replaced. The original fix, without the corrosion on the harness, was the place a piece of plastic over the module. That recall and fix did nothing to address the issues of multiple points of water intrusions. From body seems, the seal around the hatch, and around the tail light(s). There is more than one harness, and more than one module in the tire well. The multiple water leaks, that can and have affected an electrical component the was deemed as being a potential to start a fire, and none of the others in there are. There needs to be a recall on the water leaks, from their poor design! I have saw first hand how badly the harness they had to replace, along with the lift gate module. Because of the very seriousness of the corrosion. Where they not only replaced both of them, but also had to relocate the lift gate module, because of the evidence of the amount on water that has been entering the cargo, and wheel well areas! à 11 year old vehicle, from the information I have read up on, many with this same production years are also having the issues of water intrusions! hold them responsible, instead of letting them cut corners of just trying to put a umbrella over there recall! I don't have pictures now, or when I took it to the dealership originally for the recall. But I am willing to take pictures, as I'm still in the process of disassembly the interior to try and pin point all the water intrusions! the dealership I took it to for the recall work, said they are "not aware of any water intrusions on this vehicle". That's a big problem!!.

See all problems of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

My parking gage engaged several times while parked I saw that it said the parking breaking was engaged but I had not put it on. Next it engaged when stopped for a traffic light. I was able to restart it several times. Noticed that this was most likely to happen after a rainfall. Last time it happened my son was able to trick it into disengaging and get it home. Next day it had to be flatbed towed to my mechanic. He changed the parking break switch and that burned out again. After careful investigation he found over two gallons of water under the spare tire where the parking break module is housed. It had to be replaced as well as both calipers. The module also had to be reprogrammed. It was at there 22 days. The mechanic bill was nearly $1,800. Now I need extensive body work to perhaps stop the water coming in thru the seams underneath the power-lift door which had opened. In checking previous complaints it seems that this should have been a recall long ago as it has happened to other similar Jeeps.

The outside body of the vehicle is leaking, which is causing the park break module to short circuit. This is causing my vehicle to suddenly stop and lock up. This has happened three times so far.

See all problems of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

Water leak on front passenger door floor coming out of cabin filter area. Concerned that it will cause rotting of floorboard body of vehicle. Dealer cleaned out plug but that did not fix the problem. Dealer does not know how to fix it. Read on several forums that this is a problem with other Jeep owners.

My 2015 Jeep Cherokee started having strange electrical issues. Sometimes the automatic lift gate would not open or close. Sometimes the parking brake would engage and not release. At times the parking brake would engage and I would not be able to drive the car. It would engage within seconds of starting to drive the car, leaving the car lurching forward or unable to move (in the middle of the street). I noticed there seemed to be water leaking into the car around the back right near the power lift gate. I managed to disengage the emergency brake to drive the car to the mechanic. The mechanic could not get the brake released and had to tow the car to an electrical specialist. I paid around $2000 for a new harness for the park break as well as other issues related to the water damage corroding the electrical equipment at the power lift gate. 16 months later and I am having the same issue again. I brought the Jeep to the dealer and they told me the brakes are corroded in addition to the recall on the power lift gate. I believe this (corroded brakes) may also be from the lift gate water leak issue. The recall repair will take months I am told. In the meantime I cannot open the lift gate and so cannot have a diagnostic done on the water leak at the lift gate that continues to enter into the electrical system at the back of the car (liftgate area), likely doing more damage again to the other electrical components such as brake release and brakes. I called the recall line at Chrysler to ask for an expedited recall service and they declined, saying the vehicle is safe to drive. Please there must be a recall on the water leaks causing all of these electrical safety issues.

Flooding water is getting into car, trunk where the spare tire is kept. That whole portion is wet with water and it is affecting the electrical because it is getting wet.

Driver and passenger floor board become wet when it rains. Soaked to the point of molding so much moisture is in the floor and vehicle. The windshield leaks from the inside from the top/outside and interferes with visibility.

My vehicle has never been in an accident. I have pictures showing a wide gap on the side of the back window on the hatchback. Lots of water gets into the back of the Jeep. The water burned out some wiring that has caused issues with my Jeep. It’s a 1200 dollar job, dealer states the water is getting in due to the design of the vehicle.

The power liftgate stopped working. This is the exact issue described in the 23v-338 / 49a recall. The year, make, and model of my car are the same as detailed in the recall, but this specific VIN is not included. The issue is due to an electrical short that poses a fire hazard. There is no manual way to open the liftgate, it completely relies on the functionality of the electric system. It is clear that the 23v-338 / 49a recall should include a wider range of vins including mine.

See attached document for complaint.

In the beginning of July, the parking brake engaged on its own and a warning came up on the dash. It took some jockying to get the brake to disengage but it continued to happen. We took it to the dealer where purchased who told us that the parking brake control module was damaged by water and that bedause of this the extended warranty that we purchased for a few thousand dollars would not cover it (even though we were told it covered everything). The dealer wanted $2000 to fix it. I took the Jeep to a qualified mechanic whom I deal with, and he replaced the the control unit. We picked up the car and a week or so later the brake came on again. We took it back to the mechanic who dug deeper and found out that the body of the car was leaking, and water had run down and into the control unit again. It is now November (going on five months!) and we still do not have the car back because he is waiting for the part to come in. I'm a pretty patient person but this is ridiculous. I'm paying for a car that I haven't had for five months and then I'm told this is a common issue with Jeeps and no warranty will cover it. I sincerely beleive this should be arecall issue by Jeep. Especially when they cannot get me a part to fix it for months! any help you can render is much appreciated. Thanks.

See all problems of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

The body seam is leaking causing floor board in front and rear to have puddles of water in the floor, and mold. I'm on oxygen. This is not safe at all. Also the rear mopar had to be replaced cause of park brake failure. This needs to be recalled ASAP. It's happening on a lot of your Jeep cheerokees. Thank you.

The paint on the passenger door panel close to window is peeling off it should not be doing this with it being 3 years old.

See all problems of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee 🔎.

Every time it rains, water leaks into the rear of the vehicle through the ceiling and cracks on the side. As a result, water is soaking through the ceiling, rear speakers and trunk. This is causing mold and deterioration of all parts below the spare tire and is a safety issue.

I was unloading my trunk from my sons birthday party and when I pressed the button in the rear hatch to automatically close the trunk. The trunk would not close. Usually I can tap it and it will reinitiate the closing mechanism or stop to prevent something from being closed inside. There is some sort of malfunction in the closing mechanism of my Jeep.

Was driving home for lunch and stopped at traffic light. Parking brake self-engaged and would not release. I could not move the car in either direction. Repeated attempted to get parking brake to release by pushing/pulling on switch. Finally turned off car (sitting in moving traffic) and when I restarted the brake released. Was able to get car home and parked. Called my regular mechanic and got it in yesterday, but again brake wouldn't release (it had not been set) without turning car off and on. When my repair shop took the components apart, it revealed that water had leaked down into the computer system that controls the parking brakes (had various flashing lights on dash -- odometer/stop/start signal, etc. ) and damaged the circuitry. The repair shop called to explain this problem and noted that NHTSA had begun and investigation into this problem in July and had about 80 cases under investigation at that time -- apparently a body-weld issue causing leak into that component. Prior to this locking up, a service parking brake light had come on intermittently for a couple of days. My wife and I were both at risk and just fortunate this didn't lock up while on the interstate which we drive regularly. Have called local Jeep dealer where we bought it and they claim they have heard nothing about this and the earliest we can get in is 10/18. Our mechanic has temporarily disabled the parking brake (both electronically and mechanically) so that the vehicle is drivable, but said he wouldn't advise driving on it very long this way, due to the other warning components that are now compromised.

Both front doors fill with water in even the lightest rain. A health emergence is developing due to mold forming. Additionally, any/all electronics in the door are likely to short out causing many safety issues if this known problem is not addressed by the manufacturer .

When stopped at a light, the light turned green, the parking break engaged and the car shut off. The car behind me almost rear-ended me. After waiting a minute I put the car in park and tried to start the car again. I had to put the gas pedal to the floor to get the car to start and not stall out. This has happened on multiple occasions. I took the car to the dealer and learned that I had a motor with faulty rings and was given a new motor, however this problem has still persisted. The driver side door also accumulates water. Enough water to hear when making a turn.

Automatic trunk does not open with either inside button on dash or outside button on latch. So I had to open it manually. While it was up the motor spontaneously activated, causing the trunk lid to hit me on the head. When it did hit my head, it did not automatically go back up. The issue is intermittent and when I took it to the dealer, they could not replicate it. This has happened several times.

Lift gate will not latch(close).

Looked into the spare tire compartment and found standing water in the compartment and in one of the side trays. No evidence of water anywhere else. Tire dealer took the compartment a part and could not find evidence of leaking anywhere else. Ran water to make sure the sunroof drains were not clogged. They were not. Checked all window sills and hatch sill, no leaks. Tech looked for any recall. There is a recall r67 for my year of Jeep and NHTSA campaign number: 15v826. Called 2 dealers and said there was no recall for my Jeep. The information on the recall is exactly how my leak is happening. I called the mopar recall line and they said the same thing as the dealers. The recall says "a short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire. " mopar said to go to a dealer and have them check and call them back. I have an appointment next Monday morning. Thanks.

Driver side and back side metal panels under mat water leakage. Danger.

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving downhill at approximately 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that an excessive amount of pressure on the brake pedal was needed before the vehicle came to a stop. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that there was excessive rust on the rotors. The contact was informed that the rotors, calipers, and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,500.

This 7 year old car has an electronic parking break which automatically turns itself on and cannot be disengaged without towing the car to the dealer. This is because this 7 year old car has a common internal leak that soaks the left wall in the trunk and the spare tire component. The left wall of the trunk is where the ecu (computer) that controls the parking break lives and it is water damaged. I'm not sure if this is the best place to report this. If there is a better place please let me know? is it legal to sell a car that becomes non functional and moldy from hidden water damage after only 7 years, then charge to fix it? this problem is common and I think it needs to be a recall. We live on an island and this will cost over $1500 to fix? there is no way to manually disengage the parking break. Is it safe to have a water damaged computer automatically engaging your parking break? do these electronic parking breaks count as having an emergency break for the purposes of stopping a car on an icy hill when the breaks fail or to take a road test for the safety of the instructor? is it legal in massachusetts that to replace this ecu requires a diagnostic scan tool to align the proxi configuration data which most small local mechanics do not have?.

My son was driving and rear ended someone. His airbags did not deploy yet the vehicle showed an alert on the dash stating the airbags had deployed. This happened driving straight on a city street.

Rear right door handle just falls off when trying to operate the door, preventing entry into the door. Many complaints online about this defect.

Since I bought our 2019 Jeep Cherokee new, the hood has had a bad flutter. It flutters bad enough that it sets off the auto stop/start light. Have had it into the dealer at least 6 times and no resolution. It flutters so bad that it seems the hood is actually going to fly open. It really gets bad when you pass another vehichle.

We purchased the 2019 Jeep Cherokee new from a Jeep dealership. At 15,000 miles (approx. ) the hood began to bounce up and down 1/2" to 3/4" while driving at highway speeds, driving into a wind or following a semi-truck. In addition to the obviously concern over the safety of the hood bouncing and potentially unlatching, this causes the auto start/stop function of the engine to malfunction. We had the Jeep dealership inspect the problem several times under the 36,000 mile warranty period and they adjusted the hood each time, but the hood bouncing would return in a matter of days or a week. They failed to resolve the issue under warranty. Now, we have 79,300 miles on the vehicle and the hood was inspected by a Jeep dealership and it has been adjusted to the maximum adjustment and the hood still bounces dangerously. The dealership now tells us that the panel bond in the hood is broken and has compromised the strength of the hood and that the hood should be replaced. The dealer compared our hood and latch to the hoods and latches of similar vehicles on the lot to make the determination of the broken hood bond. Jeep consumer care tells us that Jeep will not cover the hood replacement even though this constitutes a safety issue of the hood potentially unlatching at highway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate and implement a safety recall.

Water was found puddling the driver side floor board and driver side passenger floorboard. There was found that the factory did not seal a seem between the wheel well and the firewall causing the leak. Evidently this was a common problrm according to Jeep forums. The standing water is very hard to get out and is causing fowl smell. All of this occurs after I had taken my vehicle through its first automatic car wash.

Within 7 months of buying this car from a dealership, the 4wd says unavailable, the wiper sprayer broke while I was driving and I had to pull over because I couldn't spray my window on a snow-melting, messy day. Then the driver's side wiper broke while driving in torrent rains where I almost got run over by a semi-truck on the highway for having to pull over. The mud flaps continue to rip causing mud and ice to build up behind the tires. In 15-below weather, I went to start my car to go to work and when I turned the heat higher than 4 (out of 7), it made a loud, vibrating sound until I turned it back down, so I was very cold all the way to work. The next day it worked fine. The day after that, I went out to start my car again to go to work, it was 15-below still, and I had no heater blower at all. I had no heat. I could not drive due to that, had to have my car towed to a shop, and ended up calling in sick at work, which jeopardized my brand new employee status.

Backed into driveway, vehicle started smoking then I saw flames resulting in my whole front emd going up in flames. No work done no problems ornindication of this prior to this happening. Fire dept had to come and put out fire.