2014 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 26owner reports
- 53,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
467 of the 2,428 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Engine failure on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (23 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cherokee
Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 38,000 and 84,197 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine Does Not Start at The First Attempt This bulletin involves upgrading the software in the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). The customer may experience where the engine fails to start at the first attempt.
What owners wrote
No report on this problem is short enough to quote in full.
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 562 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 436 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 273 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 169 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 155 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 127 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 121 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 118 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 112 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 86 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 75 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 70 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 66 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 56 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 50 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 46 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 45 reports
- Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 37 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 31 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 29 reports
- Engine leaks oil 29 reports
- Fuel pump failure 28 reports