2014 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 31owner reports
- 29,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
333 of the 2,428 complaints on this car are about the brakes. 31 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Phantom braking 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
Phantom braking is a car that brakes hard on its own, often at highway speed, with nothing in the road ahead. About one owner in five mentions a near miss with the car behind.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
When the adaptive cruise control is engaged and the driver presses the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle's speed more than the cruise control system would on its own, the vehicle may continue to accelerate briefly after the accelerator pedal is released.
All 13 recalls on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Cherokee
Brake roter disc/hud separation. Closed mar 28, 2000, led to recall 00V-136.
Brake rotor disc/hub separation. Open, led to recall 98V-005.
Brake disc/hub separation. Closed jan 9, 1998, led to recall 98V-005.
Brake disc/hub separation. Closed jan 13, 1997.
Vehicle sudden acceleration. Closed dec 5, 1995.
Brake performance. Closed feb 12, 1993.
Failed antilock brakes. Closed jan 14, 1991, led to recall 91V-003.
Failed antilock brakes. Closed apr 26, 1990.
Stalling. Closed oct 3, 1989.
Throttle control. Closed sep 19, 1988.
High speed stalling. Closed mar 10, 1988.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“1* The electric Emergency Brake. 2* The E brake engages while I am driving and causes the car to abruptly stop almost causing the car behind me to rear end my car. 3* No, it just started, it happened 2 times yesterday 5/1/24. 4* No 5* Not that I am aware of.”
Filed May 2, 2024
“The emergency park brake function is stuck on and can not be released. The car will not move and the emergency brake will not release.”
Filed Sep 18, 2023
“All-wheel drive light indicates PTU is not working on the vehicle. PTU was replaced by dealership and is still not working. There is a recall out for my vehicle but my VIN number does not fall under the recall notice so I was charged for a PTU unit and it still does not work. My car shakes violently at high speeds of 60 mph and randomly puts my car into the emergency brake”
Filed Aug 23, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 31 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
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
- Burns oil or oil level rises 29 reports
- Engine leaks oil 29 reports
- Fuel pump failure 28 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 26 reports