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Jeep2001–2021 Critical issues documented

Jeep Cherokee KL: common faults & what to check

The KL is the Jeep Cherokee built 2014–2021. It was sold here with the 2.4 petrol and 3.2 V6 petrol. Of the 18 faults documented for the Cherokee, 12 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Jeep Cherokee

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

18

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$3,500

Typical repair

32

Service milestones

You're looking at the KL

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2015 Jeep Cherokee is the KL generation (2014 to 2021).

Start your free check on this Jeep Cherokee

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Jeep Cherokee KLEngine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Cherokee came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Jeep Cherokee · 2015

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Jeep Cherokee before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2018/16849 (campaign U63) was done.

    See why

    Cruise control cannot be cancelled recall (KL Cherokee, 2014-2018)

    KL Cherokees from 2014 to 2018, with any engine, were recalled (PRA 2018/16849, campaign U63) because an engine control software fault could stop the cruise control cancelling, so the car could keep accelerating until the driver braked hard or shifted to neutral. The fix is a free software update at a Jeep dealer.

    What you would notice

    • Cruise control does not switch off when cancelled
    • Car keeps accelerating after cruise control is overridden

    Typically $0 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2015/14575 (airbag software) was done.

    See why

    Airbags can deploy when driving off road recall (KL Cherokee, 2014-2015)

    Early KL Cherokees, with any engine, were recalled (PRA 2015/14575) because the airbag control software could read steep off-road angles as a crash and fire the airbags with no impact, distracting the driver and blocking the view. The fix is a free airbag control module software update at a Jeep dealer.

    What you would notice

    • Airbags have deployed with no crash
    • Airbag warning light on

    Typically $0 to put right.

Jeep Cherokee service schedule

The 3 engines a 2015 Jeep Cherokee was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

Cherokee (KL) · 2014–2018 · 2.4L Tigershark I4 Petrol - FWD

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 80,000 km

    Inspect the suspension bushings and verify the transmission fluid condition.

  2. 100,000 km

    Spark plugs and a comprehensive fluid flush are usually recommended at this major service point.

  3. 120,000 km

    Keep an eye on the cooling system components, as hoses and seals may begin to show their age at this stage.

Cherokee (KL) · 2014–2018 · 2.4L Tigershark I4 Petrol - AWD

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 60,000 km

    First significant transmission fluid service check and an inspection of the AWD power transfer unit.

  2. 100,000 km

    Have the spark plugs replaced and comprehensively inspect the cooling system components to ensure everything runs efficiently.

  3. 150,000 km

    Evaluate the condition of suspension dampers and check for wear in the steering rack components.

Cherokee (KL) · 2014–2021 · 3.2L Pentastar V6 Petrol - AWD

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    Full transmission fluid refresh and an inspection of the AWD power transfer unit.

  2. 120,000 km

    Look at the spark plugs, as the intake manifold often needs removing for this service on the V6.

  3. 150,000 km

    Review the cooling system hoses and thermostat, as rubber components start to reach the end of their design life.

See all 12 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 4 rated critical.
Electrical2 critical2

01Power liftgate module water ingress, short circuit and fire risk (recall 49A)

2014–2016Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $400–$1,500 to fix

On early KL Cherokees with a power tailgate, water can get into the power liftgate module, corrode it and cause a short circuit that may start a fire whether the ignition is on or off. FCA made the module more resistant to water from September 2015 and recalled earlier cars under campaign 49A (US 23V-338, about 132,000 vehicles; Australia REC-005956, 10,158 KL Cherokees). The fix relocates the module, adds a water shield and replaces the module and connectors if corrosion is found. Until it is done the advice was to park outside and away from buildings, so an unrecalled car is a real risk.

Symptoms to notice

  • Power tailgate opens or closes erratically or stops working
  • Burning or hot electrical smell in the rear of the cabin
  • Water or damp in the rear cargo area trim

What to check

  1. Open and close the power tailgate several times with the key fob, the dash button and the tailgate button, and watch for jerky movement, stopping part way or no response.
  2. Put your nose into the cargo area and check for a burnt electrical smell.
  3. Lift the boot floor and feel the side trims and carpet with your hand for damp, and use a phone torch to look for water marks or rust stains.
  4. Ask for proof that recall 49A (or Australian recall REC-005956) has been done.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the rear trim removed to inspect the liftgate module and connectors for corrosion and check with a Jeep dealer by VIN that the recall is closed.

Where to look: Power liftgate module behind the rear cargo area side trim

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the power liftgate module recall (49A) been done?”
  • “Does the power tailgate ever play up or stop working?”
  • “Has the boot ever had water in it?”

02Cruise control cannot be cancelled recall (KL Cherokee, 2014-2018)

Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2018/16849 (campaign U63) was done.2014–2018Electrical
Very commonElectrical $0 to fix

KL Cherokees from 2014 to 2018, with any engine, were recalled (PRA 2018/16849, campaign U63) because an engine control software fault could stop the cruise control cancelling, so the car could keep accelerating until the driver braked hard or shifted to neutral. The fix is a free software update at a Jeep dealer.

Symptoms to notice

  • Cruise control does not switch off when cancelled
  • Car keeps accelerating after cruise control is overridden

What to check

Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2018/16849 (campaign U63) was done. Give the VIN to a franchise dealer and ask them to check for open recalls before paying. On a safe open road, set the cruise control and check it cancels with the cancel button and a light touch of the brake. If a workshop inspection is possible: a dealer can confirm the engine control software level from the VIN.

Where to look: Engine control module software, cruise control buttons on the steering wheel

Ask the seller

  • “Has the cruise control recall (U63) been done?”
  • “Has the cruise control ever failed to switch off?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

03Airbags can deploy when driving off road recall (KL Cherokee, 2014-2015)

Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2015/14575 (airbag software) was done.2014–2015Interior
CommonInterior $0 to fix

Early KL Cherokees, with any engine, were recalled (PRA 2015/14575) because the airbag control software could read steep off-road angles as a crash and fire the airbags with no impact, distracting the driver and blocking the view. The fix is a free airbag control module software update at a Jeep dealer.

Symptoms to notice

  • Airbags have deployed with no crash
  • Airbag warning light on

What to check

Ask the seller for the service history and look for a dealer invoice or service stamp showing recall PRA 2015/14575 (airbag software) was done. Give the VIN to a franchise dealer and ask them to check for open recalls before paying. Check the airbag warning light goes out after start up, and look for mismatched trim on the dash, pillars and headlining that would suggest airbags were replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: a dealer can confirm the airbag control module software level from the VIN.

Where to look: Airbag control module under the centre console

Ask the seller

  • “Has the off-road airbag recall been done?”
  • “Have the airbags ever gone off?”
Depends on the exact engine — 9 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling8

01Active Drive power transfer unit (PTU) spline wear and rear drive module failure (KL AWD)

2014–2021TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

022.4L MultiAir Hydraulic Lifter Collapse

Cold-start the engine immediately and listen for rhythmic tapping from the top of the engine.petrol2014–2021EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Roller rocker arm failure and camshaft wear, the 'Pentastar tick' (3.2 Pentastar V6)

The 3.2 Pentastar V6 in KL Cherokees shares the roller rocker design of the 3.6, and the needle bearings in the rocker rollers can break up.petrol2014–2021Engine
OccasionalEngine $1,800–$6,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 3.2 Pentastar V6 in KL Cherokees shares the roller rocker design of the 3.6, and the needle bearings in the rocker rollers can break up. The roller then drops out of place so the rocker scrapes on the camshaft lobe instead of rolling, giving a rhythmic ticking from the top of the engine. If ignored the cam lobes wear away and metal particles circulate in the oil, which can damage bearings and end with a camshaft or even engine replacement. Caught early it is a rocker and lash adjuster job on the affected head.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rhythmic metallic tick from the top of the engine that follows engine speed
  • Ticking louder at idle once warm
  • Misfire or check engine light in bad cases

What to check

  1. Ask to start the engine yourself and listen with the bonnet open at idle, then again once it is warm, for a sharp rhythmic tick from the top of either side of the engine that speeds up with revs; a light even sewing-machine sound from the injectors is normal, a louder single tick is not.
  2. Check the dash for a check engine light and ask how long it has been on.
  3. Pull the dipstick and look at the oil on a white tissue under a phone torch for glittery metal flakes.
  4. Ask for oil change records at sensible intervals.
  5. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the valve covers removed to inspect the rockers and cam lobes for scoring, and have the engine scanned for misfire codes.

Where to look: Valvetrain under the valve covers on both cylinder heads of the V6

Ask the seller

  • “Has the engine ever had a ticking noise, and was anything done about it?”
  • “Have the rockers, lifters or camshafts ever been replaced?”
  • “How often was the oil changed?”

04DPF blockage, particulate sensor faults and EGR sooting (2.0 and 2.2 MultiJet II diesel)

diesel2014–2021EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

052.4 Tigershark Excessive Oil Consumption

Check oil level on dipstick — low level on a recently serviced vehicle is a red flag.petrol2014–2021EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

06Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure on AWD models (KL)

On a quiet drive listen for a speed-related whine or growl, especially at lower speeds, and feel for any banging/jolt.2014–2021TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

07ZF 9-speed (948TE) harsh/erratic shifts and recalls (KL)

2014–2021TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

08ZF 9HP (948TE) nine-speed harsh shifts and low-speed hesitation (KL Cherokee, all engines)

Drive the vehicle from cold through stop-start traffic and note any hesitation or clunk when accelerating from rest.petrol2014–2021TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Fluid leaks1

01Plastic oil filter housing and oil cooler leak in the engine valley (3.2 Pentastar V6)

The 3.2 Pentastar V6 uses a plastic oil filter housing with a built-in oil cooler that sits in the valley between the two cylinder heads.petrol2014–2021Fluid LeaksRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Other Jeep Cherokee engines and years6 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling3

012.8 CRD injector copper seal leak — "black death"

The 2.8 CRD diesel used in the KK Cherokee is well known for leaking injector copper seals.diesel2008–2013EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

022.8 CRD (VM Motori) turbo, EGR and timing-belt vulnerabilities (KJ/KK)

Get proof of when the timing belt was last done — if it's unknown or overdue, budget to do it immediately.diesel2005–2013EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

032.8 CRD inlet manifold sooting and EGR coking

diesel2008–2013EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Electrical2

01TIPM (integrated power module) electrical faults (KK Liberty)

Start the vehicle several times to check for hard/no-start behaviour.2008–2013Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $400–$2,000 to fix

Does not apply

The KK Cherokee/Liberty (like other Chrysler/Jeep vehicles of the era) can suffer TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) faults — the under-bonnet computer/fuse box. When it plays up it causes odd electrical behaviour (no-start, phantom electrical gremlins) and, because the relays are soldered to the board, it's not a simple fuse swap. It's not universal on the KK but when it fails it can be an expensive, hard-to-diagnose fault.

Symptoms to notice

  • Intermittent no-start or hard-start
  • Electrical items acting on their own (lights, locks, wipers)
  • Random warning lights
  • Battery drain

What to check

Start the vehicle several times to check for hard/no-start behaviour. Operate lights, wipers, locks and confirm nothing acts up on its own. Ask whether the TIPM has ever been replaced or given trouble. A history of chasing electrical faults is a red flag.

Where to look: TIPM (integrated power module / fuse box) under the bonnet

Ask the seller

  • “Has the TIPM ever been replaced or caused problems?”
  • “Any intermittent no-starts?”
  • “Do any electrical items behave randomly?”

02Power window regulator failure (KJ Liberty)

Operate all four windows fully up and down several times; listen for grinding and watch for slow or jerky travel.2001–2007Electrical
CommonElectrical $250–$600 to fix

Does not apply

The KJ-generation Cherokee/Liberty is notorious for power-window regulator failure — the window can drop into the door, sometimes at speed. It's a widespread, well-documented fault on this generation (the later KK largely fixed it). Not dangerous but inconvenient and, with a window stuck down, a security and weather problem. Parts are cheap; it's the recurring nature that annoys owners.

Symptoms to notice

  • Window falls into the door or won't go up
  • Grinding/clunk from the door when operating a window
  • Window jams part-way

What to check

Operate all four windows fully up and down several times; listen for grinding and watch for slow or jerky travel. A window that won't hold up or drops into the door confirms a failed regulator. Check whether any have already been replaced.

Where to look: Window regulator mechanism inside each door

Ask the seller

  • “Have any window regulators been replaced?”
  • “Do all four windows work smoothly?”
  • “Any window that drops or sticks?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Front lower ball joint wear (KJ/KK Liberty)

On the drive listen for front clonks over bumps and note any wandering.2001–2013Suspension
CommonSuspension $400–$1,200 to fix

Does not apply

Front lower ball joints are a well-known weak point across the KJ and KK Cherokee/Liberty — they wear and get damaged relatively easily, causing knocking noises and, if left, a safety hazard from excess play. It's one of the most frequently reported suspension items on these SUVs and a WOF concern. Replacement is straightforward but a worn joint should be fixed before driving hard.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunk or knock over bumps from the front
  • Vague or wandering steering
  • Uneven front tyre wear
  • Play when the wheel is rocked

What to check

On the drive listen for front clonks over bumps and note any wandering. On a hoist (or by rocking the top/bottom of the front wheel) check for ball-joint play. Look at front tyres for uneven wear. Any looseness here is a WOF and safety issue.

Where to look: Front lower ball joints in the front suspension

Parts involved: Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the front ball joints been replaced?”
  • “Any knocking from the front over bumps?”
  • “Will it pass a WOF now?”

Jeep Cherokee faults in detail

Narrowed to the Jeep Cherokee · 2015. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

2.4 Tigershark Excessive Oil ConsumptionMajor · Engine2.4L MultiAir Hydraulic Lifter CollapseCritical · EngineActive Drive power transfer unit (PTU) spline wear and rear drive module failure (KL AWD)Critical · TransmissionDPF blockage, particulate sensor faults and EGR sooting (2.0 and 2.2 MultiJet II diesel)Major · EnginePlastic oil filter housing and oil cooler leak in the engine valley (3.2 Pentastar V6)Major · Fluid LeaksPower Transfer Unit (PTU) failure on AWD models (KL)Major · TransmissionZF 9-speed (948TE) harsh/erratic shifts and recalls (KL)Major · TransmissionZF 9HP (948TE) nine-speed harsh shifts and low-speed hesitation (KL Cherokee, all engines)Major · Transmission

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Jeep Cherokee’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Jeep models

Jeep Grand Cherokee31 documented faultsJeep Wrangler24 documented faultsJeep Compass12 documented faults

Jeep Cherokee buyer questions

Is the Jeep Cherokee reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 18 documented faults for the Jeep Cherokee, the recurring problem areas are transmission, engine, and electrical. A Jeep Cherokee with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Jeep Cherokee?

We've catalogued 18 known faults for the Jeep Cherokee, covering transmission, engine, and electrical. All 18 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Jeep Cherokee?

Most single repairs on the Jeep Cherokee fall between $400–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 18 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Jeep Cherokee?

Yes. A Jeep Cherokee inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.