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Jeep Cherokee won't start problems

229 of the 14,523 owner complaints about the Jeep Cherokee describe won't start, most of them for the 2014 model year.

owner complaints
229
worst model year
2014
typical repair cost reported
$1,550
typical mileage
34,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

When i pulled into my garage the fuel gauge read 20 miles remaining and the needle was still in the yellow. The next morning when I got in my car it wouldn't start. Out of gas. Upon putting in a gallon of gas, the vehicle started and the gauge read "low". This is the second time this has happened. The first time the car was in motion on a busy street. This is a major safety issue.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MN

Twice in the past year, the vehicle stalled after coming to a stop at a red light. The morning after the most recent incident, the car would not start. I had it towed to the dealership. That was Luther Brookdale Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Two weeks ago, I began to intermittently see the message '4WD Unavailable - Service Required'. I brought it yesterday, and was told that the Power Transfer Unit was in need of replacement. I travel as an special education case manager and teacher quite a distance every day to work. The roads in the wintertime can be quite challenging on which to travel. This vehicle should be included in the list of affected vehicle trims that are listed for the multitude of Jeep vehicles part of the PTU related recall. I need to know that the vehicle is being repaired with a part that is safe, not the same PTU used originally, in manufacture, which has been found to be unsafe.

Filed May 10, 2026 · NJ

2019 Jeep Cherokee. In December 2023, when I took my foot off the brake at a light, the car stalled out and would not start afterward. I was using the auto start/stop feature. Of course it started when the tow arrived, but I took it to the dealer anyway for safety. I had a new starter put in under warranty by the dealer. Code was a faulty starter. In April 2026, the same thing happened and was not covered because the 2 year warranty expired. Stalled out, while taking my foot off the brake at a red light. I had forgotten to turn off the auto start/stop. Thankfully, I was in a safe area and people were able to go around me. Private mechanic said a wire was out of place and a battery cell was a little low. They fixed it, but 1 month later it happened again in May 2026. It was taking a split second longer to start and it did not feel very powerful in comparison (same thing in April). This time, I returned to it after work, and it simply would not start. I assume the starter had simply died due to hearing 1 "click". Not sure why another starter blew in 2.5 years! I am fortunate to not have been stalled on a major highway! They've been coded as faulty starters, but how long are these things actually supposed to last? 2.5 years is way too short. Currently waiting to get my second replacement starter since buying the car used in November 2020. Has over 155,000 miles. No complaints other than this. I do not use the auto start/stop.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · MN

3 Years ago a new motor and starter were put into my car. Now it won't start again and the dealership says the motor is blown again. They tell me that it is not covered under the warranty from the engine that was put in 3 years ago. How is that not covered. I now have a vehicle that I can't drive and no warranty on it and still have a loan on it. This needs to be fixed or covered. Please have someone call me as soon as possible. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · WI

The systems that failed included the shifter, which causes the car to lock so that it cannot shift out of park . This is most likely due to a shifter assembly and/or sensor malfunction. Several months prior to this event occurring (i.e., the car would not start, despite a new battery and consistent scheduled maintenance), this operator of the vehicle complained to the dealership that the car started to feel tremulous, along with the gas gauge reading 30-40 miles below the expected fill on a full tank. The dealership "checked the sensors" and determined nothing was wrong. The driver has been noticing shaking and continued problems with this vehicle shifting in and out of lower gears (1st through 3rd in an automatic V6 engine). The culmination is now this car will not start, and states both 'service shifter' and 'brake sensor service' lights illuminate upon attempting to start the engine. From reading, it is likely to have a transmission range sensor failure, a faulty shifter module, or wiring corrosion. Also, Stellantis (software manufacturer for these sensors) has admitted fault of these sensors in the past, and had extended warranties for some, but not all vehicles. Unable to operate a nonfunctioning vehicle now stuck with towing to a dealership I've not had good results with since the purchase of this vehicle.

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical · OR

What happened : The vehicle experienced a sudden electrical failure and loss of normal shutdown control. The vehicle would not start or turn over. After repeated attempts, it eventually started, at which point all dashboard lights began flashing uncontrollably. The engine continued running even after the ignition was turned off and the key was removed. The only way to shut the vehicle down was to disconnect the battery. This created a safety concern due to the inability to control the vehicle’s electrical systems or safely shut off the engine. The failure occurred without prior warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for inspection. Diagnostics confirmed a failure of the Body Control Module (BCM). The Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) was also found to be non-functional and may have been affected by the BCM failure. The vehicle remains inoperable and is awaiting replacement of the BCM, which is currently on backorder with no estimated availability. The failed components are available for inspection upon request. The issue has been confirmed by the dealership. No crash occurred, but the malfunction posed a potential safety risk due to uncontrolled electrical behavior and inability to shut down the vehicle normally.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Fuel system · NY

There was a Recall on 2016 jeep cherrokee latitude fuel pumps - i think several years ago. This VIN Not on the list. But, the fuel pump has gone on this 2016 Jeep several weeks ago- vehicle stopped in busy city roadway. Towed to repair place -another make of fuel pump installed- then gas gauge not keeping track of gas . Called Jeep DEALERSHIP in Warren, Pa; and was told NO ONE HAS THESE MAIN JEEP FUEL Pumps. None in any 9 locations. They are on back order throughout the country. Sounds like there is a problem with the 2016 Jeep fuel pump. It needs to be recalled. This is a no brainer; and, not fair to Jeep customers that this issue wasn't made public and that the company didn't make a RECALL on THIS PUMP. There is a waiting lists for these pumps won't start distributing them till December. Please help with this matter.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Electrical · AZ

Have had multiple issues where stop/stop fails while at a stop in the street and either doesn’t start again or starts after a while. Last time on 10/29/2025 I was at a stop just getting off I-10 and the car would not start and gave start stop error and took multiple minutes before starting again. This first began 5/2024. Dealership has replace the battery, starter relay, and the start twice. It is a huge safety concern for me being stuck in the middle of the street or at a stop

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · IL

I have already received the official recall notice, but I have been told by both my local mechanic and FCA representatives that there is still no remedy available. In the meantime, my vehicle is exhibiting exactly the defect described in the recall and is now unsafe to drive. Here is my experience: In early 2024, while running errands, I stopped at a red light before making a left turn. When the light turned green, the car would not move forward. I had to turn on my blinkers while other drivers were honking. I panicked, tried turning the car off and on, and eventually it moved again. This same issue has happened four other times since then. Most recently, on 8/22/25 the car left me stranded in a grocery store parking lot. It was full of groceries, making multiple alert sounds, and would not start. My cousin had to leave what he was doing to try to jump it; when that didn’t work my brother and nephew went to buy a new battery. When they returned, the car started on its own and we returned the battery. We took the vehicle to our local autozone to run tests in which it passed all. Since that day, every time I turn the car on it stalls momentarily before starting. I have also called certified Jeep dealers in my area who have stated the parts are unavailable and there is no ETA on their availability.

Filed Sep 13, 2025 · Transmission · VA

A light appeared on the dash that said AWD Failure. After 2 weeks of being at the dealership, I was told it was a complete PTU failure. Other VINs have been recalled but not mine. This was after I had already taken the car because it just stopped while driving and wouldn’t start. I was told then it was the starter needed to be replaced. I am just happy it wasn’t my [XXX] that was driving. I believe it was the PTU the whole time. The car also will not start after stopping at a stop light unless I turn the Automatic setting off. Dealership says PTU is on back order with ETA of 45-60 days. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported May 25, 2018 · 14 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 18V344000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported October 24, 2017 · 357 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Risk
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.

Recall number 17V670000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported October 19, 2015 · 75,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015. The affected vehicles may have a misrouted air conditioning suction/discharge hose.
Risk
If the line is misrouted, it may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.

Recall number 15V676000 · Recall details

Questions about the Jeep Cherokee won't start

Which Jeep Cherokee years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2014 (53 complaints), 2019 (45 complaints) and 2015 (34 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Jeep Cherokee?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,550 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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