Skip to content
KickTyres
CriticalCommonEngine

Jeep Cherokee: 2.4L MultiAir Hydraulic Lifter Collapse

2.4L MultiAir Hydraulic Lifter Collapse is a common engine fault on the Jeep Cherokee on the 2014–2021 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $6,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 18 documented faults on the Jeep Cherokee.

Vehicle
Jeep Cherokee
Engine
2.4L
Years
2014–2021
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Engine

This page covers the Jeep Cherokee as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Jeep Cherokee faults18 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir system actuates intake valve lift electronically using individual oil-pressure-fed hydraulic tappets governed by solenoid valves inside the camshaft carrier. Varnish and sludge from infrequent oil changes block the 0.5 mm oil galleries supplying each tappet, collapsing the hydraulic element to its minimum-lift position. The affected cylinder misfires persistently, and mechanical contact between the collapsed lifter and camshaft lobe accelerates wear on both components. Severe cases require full camshaft and carrier replacement in addition to tappet replacement.

What you would notice

  • Persistent ticking or tapping on cold start that may reduce when warm
  • P030X cylinder-specific misfire codes stored in ECU
  • Rough idle and stumble under light throttle
  • Noticeable power loss during acceleration
  • Check engine light illuminated

How to check it

Where to look. Cylinder head upper section, MultiAir actuator assembly and camshaft carrier

Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for rhythmic tapping from the top of the engine. Pull the oil dipstick to check for dark sludge or varnish. Request the full service history and confirm oil changes were performed at no more than 8,000 km intervals using 0W-20 full-synthetic oil. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect an OBD-II scanner to check for active or stored misfire codes on any cylinder.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $6,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Can you show complete oil change records for the vehicle?”
  • “Has a mechanic ever diagnosed a ticking noise or misfire code?”
  • “Has the MultiAir actuator, camshaft, or lifters ever been replaced?”

Now check the Jeep Cherokee you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Jeep Cherokee buyer questions

Is 2.4l multiair hydraulic lifter collapse serious on a Jeep Cherokee?

We rate it critical and common on the Jeep Cherokee. The 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir system actuates intake valve lift electronically using individual oil-pressure-fed hydraulic tappets governed by solenoid valves inside the camshaft carrier. Varnish and sludge from infrequent oil changes block the 0.5 mm oil galleries supplying each tappet, collapsing the hydraulic element to its minimum-lift position. The affected cylinder misfires persistently, and mechanical contact between the collapsed lifter and camshaft lobe accelerates wear on both components. Severe cases require full camshaft and carrier replacement in addition to tappet replacement.

How much does it cost to fix on a Jeep Cherokee?

$2,500 to $6,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Jeep Cherokee years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2014–2021 Jeep Cherokee. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for rhythmic tapping from the top of the engine. Pull the oil dipstick to check for dark sludge or varnish. Request the full service history and confirm oil changes were performed at no more than 8,000 km intervals using 0W-20 full-synthetic oil. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect an OBD-II scanner to check for active or stored misfire codes on any cylinder. Look here: Cylinder head upper section, MultiAir actuator assembly and camshaft carrier