2019 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

43owner reports
38,000median miles
$8,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 15, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

467 of the 1,626 complaints on this car are about the engine. 43 of those describe engine failure.

Tick what matches of 43 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (42 reports) and the short block or long block (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-344May 25, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The engines in these vehicles may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage. These engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cherokee

PE15-003opened Jan 13, 2015

Engine · model years 2015

Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.

NHTSA summary

On October 15, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US LLC, (FCA), submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding an air-conditioning suction/discharge combo line routing condition that may result in engine compartment fire in approximately 75,574 model year (MY) 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines and built from October 1, 2014 through June 18, 2015 (NHTSA Recall 15V-676, FCA Recall R57).According to FCA's DIR, a misrouted A/C combo line can be pinched and cut or thermally degraded by the exhaust manifold heat shield, potentially resulting in loss of air conditioning, smoke and/or fire from ignition of leaked A/C refrigerant oil onto a hot exhaust manifold.The recalled vehicles will be inspected for misrouted A/C combo lines and those found to be misrouted will be replaced.FCA estimates that one percent of the recalled population may be affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.ODI?s analysis of warranty data provided by FCA in response to the information request letter for PE15-003 identified a spike in claims related to the A/C combo line leakage in vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines built after October 1, 2014.FCA implemented its final process corrective action for the hose routing concern on June 18, 2015.The 113,034 MY 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines have different A/C line routing configurations and are not affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.FCA provided a total of 220 warranty claims potentially rel

EA88-009opened Nov 16, 1987

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1980 to 1985

Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.

NHTSA summary

ANALYSIS:MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE.TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO DESTROY AVEHICLE.AMC HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS TSB'S REGARDING THE PROPER/IMPROPER METHOD OF SEAL-ING THE VALVE COVER-HEAD INTERFACE.1981-84 AMC 6-CYLINDER ENGINES AREEQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC VALVE COVER WHICH HAS 5 GUIDE PINS AND 2 FASTENERS.THE COVER USED IN LATER MODELS WAS RE-DESIGNED TO HAVE 5 ATTACHING POINTS,AND THIS NEW VALVE COVER CAN BE USED ON OLDER ENGINES BY MEANS OF AMODIFICATION KIT.AS EXPECTED, COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FIRES IN 1985 MODELSDROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, INDICATING THAT THE ADDITION OF THE NEW VALVE COVERMAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.STATUS: IR TO THE MANUFACTURER SENT 12/1/87.PROPOSED ACTION: OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.===

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $13,900.

$3,000$8,000$13,900

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 11,131 and 63,900 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.

418

719

320

221

122

723

724

625

626

What owners wrote

“Engine failed in traffic and would not start resulting in pushing vehicle by hand out of highway. Towed to dealership and was told needed new engine $17000.”
Filed Oct 30, 2024

“I was driving my 2019 jeep cherokee on a very busy road when my car came to a screeching stop while in drive and began grinding it would only go in reverse the transmission blew it only has 23000 miles on it currently it is a big safety concern”
Filed Jul 31, 2023 · 23,000 miles

“Engine shut off unexpectedly, with no indication of a problem existed. After Jeep certified mechanic diagnosis, cylinder #2 failed. Results, engine failure, engine replacement. 63900 miles on odometer.”
Filed Jul 20, 2023 · 63,900 miles

“2019 jeep Cherokee- check engine light came on at 62,000 miles - reading said it was a 'cylinder 1 misfire' - long story short, I need a whole new engine. Coolant is leaking into the cylinder and throughout the engine with scoring, etc.”
Filed Jun 26, 2023 · 62,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 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.