There was a leak in my trunk that completely shorted out my electric parking break module. My safety and others safety were put at risk because the emergency break was turning on automatically and I could not control it. I noticed it blinking and quickly pulled into a parking lot where the brake went on. I couldn't move the car at that time it took me a couple attempts to get the emergency brake off. I managed to get the car moving and went right back home where then the emergency brake turned on again. I ended up having to call a tow truck. This easily could've been worse if I made the decision to continue on my route that day because the emergency brake was turning on automatically. I took my car to an auto shop who determined with photo evidence that my electric parking brake module was filled with water. They noted "Shorted module Full of water due to trunk water leak. Needs module replacement and connector repair with reprogram. Trunk leak needs to be addressed." A small warning light appeared on my dashboard when the issue started. There was no prior warning lights or problems with the car. I had just gotten my car inspected a few days prior and passed inspection with no issues. I didn't notice the leak until after my emergency brake stopped working. That's when I began to investigate my car and found water in my spare tire compartment.
Jeep Cherokee water leak problems
76 of the 14,523 owner complaints about the Jeep Cherokee describe water leaks into the cabin, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 76
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,300
- typical mileage
- 50,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 4Check engine light 4Warning lights 3Jerking 3Brake failure 3Transmission failure 2Fuel leak 2Grinding brakes 2
What owners say
After learning of the recall for the lift gate module because of water intrusions of multiple points. The wiring harness to the lift gate module was serverly corroded and had to be replaced. The original fix, without the corrosion on the harness, was the place a piece of plastic over the module. That recall and fix did nothing to address the issues of multiple points of water intrusions. From body seems, the seal around the hatch, and around the tail light(s). There is more than one harness, and more than one module in the tire well. The multiple water leaks, that can and have affected an electrical component the was deemed as being a potential to start a fire, and none of the others in there are. There needs to be a recall on the water leaks, from their poor design! I have saw first hand how badly the harness they HAD to replace, along with the lift gate module. Because of the very seriousness of the corrosion. Where they not only replaced both of them, but also had to relocate the lift gate module, because of the evidence of the amount on water that has been entering the cargo, and wheel well areas! À 11 year old vehicle, from the information I have read up on, many with this same production years are also having the issues of water intrusions! Hold them responsible, instead of letting them cut corners of just trying to put a umbrella over there recall! I don't have pictures now, or when I took it to the dealership originally for the recall. But I am willing to take pictures, as I'm still in the process of disassembly the interior to try and pin point all the water intrusions! The dealership I took it to for the recall work, said they are "not aware of any water intrusions on this vehicle". That's a big problem!!
The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 20V343000 (Power Train) and 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure). The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle, and Jeep Roadside Assistance was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the parking brake failed to disengage. The contact left the vehicle parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the liftgate opened independently. Due to the failure, water entered the vehicle during a rainstorm. The contact stated that the liftgate failure persisted. The contact stated that there was mold on the seats, ceiling, dashboard, compartment area in the rear of the vehicle, and the spare tire location. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer refused to inspect or repair the vehicle due to safety concerns for their employees. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
2015 Jeep Cherokees is not functioning and I'm getting flashing parking brake light. There is water corrosion, which can cause the brake to activate unexpectedly. I did not have any spills in the cargo area of my vehicle. I believe it is from water coming into the wheel well. I took the car to the dealership and they claimed it would cost me $5000 to replace not only the Parking Brake module, but the whole connection to the body harness. I currently do not have a parking brake. I am aware there is a known Service Report for this issue.
Electronic parking brake engaged and wouldn't release. Possibility of occurrence while driving. Problem has been confirmed by independent service center to have been caused by water leakage into the area where the parking control module is located. Water was found pooling in parking control module which corroded connecters. Vehicle has not been inspected by anyone but the service center. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
The electronic parking brake locked up at an intersection - only way I could get it going again was disconnect and reconnect the battery. Took to dealer and was diagnosed as the parking brake module. Dealer wanted $1900 to repair but the part was on back order for an unknown time. Removed all fuses linked to parking brake and was told to drive it - only has front wheel drive as computer thinks parking brake is on - jeep has told us that water leaks into to them and shorts them out. Not impressed as times are tough and not getting any help from Jeep. Why is there not a recall as this seems like a infection with this model?
Parking brake module and connector got major water damage. My mechanic found over four gallons of water under my spare tire compartment. After inspecting it he found the module and wires fried. While driving my parking brake light came on and by time I parked my parking brake would not disengage. Check engine light, parking brake light, and traction control light. My vehicle is currently with my mechanic and currently being looked at. He is still trying to find parts and find the cause of the water leak. This was a very dangerous situation that could have caused a major accident.
This is a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, this model DOES have a recall for water leaking in through the truck. That causes the electronic parking break module to short out and lock the parking brake in as engaged. My jeeps vin however is not a part of the recall for some reason, this part was replaced on 4/16/22. Today 3/9/2023 the parking brake engaged and was locked on when we put the car in park. The spare tire compartment is FULL of water, everything in the trunk was wet. And the piece from the service advisor that was replace in 2022 has water in it, and it is corroded.
Parking brake engaged while reversing out of driveway. "Service Parking Brake" message on dash and Parking brake lights on dash. Parking brake flashing amber LED lights. Parking brake not working. This is for a 2015 Jeep Cherokee, an investigation was opened and closed. Unsure of the outcome. Concerned though as I had a water leakage into the lift gate power module causing a small fire. That was repaired/replaced with recall in 2024. Now the same issue is happening with my power breaks. I feel like this should be covered under recall.
My parking gage engaged several times while parked I saw that it said the parking breaking was engaged but I had not put it on. Next it engaged when stopped for a traffic light. I was able to restart it several times. Noticed that this was most likely to happen after a rainfall. Last time it happened my son was able to trick it into disengaging and get it home. Next day it had to be flatbed towed to my mechanic. He changed the parking break switch and that burned out again. After careful investigation he found over two gallons of water under the spare tire where the parking break module is housed. It had to be replaced as well as both calipers. The module also had to be reprogrammed. It was at there 22 days. The mechanic bill was nearly $1,800. Now I need extensive body work to perhaps stop the water coming in thru the seams underneath the power-lift door which had opened. In checking previous complaints it seems that This should have been a recall long ago as it has happened to other similar jeeps.
Related recalls
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- Risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V‑393 and 15V‑826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
Recall number 23V338000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. This recall is superseded by the federal safety agency recall 23V‑338.
Recall number 15V826000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 4, 2013, to February 18, 2015 and equipped with a Power Liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may enter the Power Liftgate Control Module and cause a high resistance short circuit in the module.
- Risk
- A short circuit in the liftgate control module may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power liftgate control module and connectors for corrosion, substitute a bolt for the threaded grommet installed to seal an attachment point used in non-power liftgate vehicles and cover the power liftgate control module in a foam water shield, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R27. This recall is superseded by the federal safety agency recall 23V‑338.
Recall number 15V393000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Cherokee water leak
Which Jeep Cherokee years have water leaks into the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (19 complaints), 2016 (15 complaints) and 2015 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix water leaks into the cabin on the Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,300 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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