Jeep Cherokee KL
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Cherokee KL is not the Grand Cherokee — that distinction matters. Front-wheel-drive based, transverse-mounted engine, positioned between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee in Jeep's lineup. In practice it's the Jeep that generates the most questions, mostly justified.
The ZF 9HP48 transmission in 2014–2018 models is the most infamous problem. It hunts for gears, lurches from stops, hesitates at mid-throttle — and FCA's own dealers told owners 'that's normal.' Software updates help significantly; a valve body swap ($500–$5,500) sometimes finishes the job. Any 2014–2015 purchase requires a cold-start transmission test: step on the gas hard and watch for a 2-second hesitation before the car moves. That's the tell.
Engine choice breaks down cleanly. The ED6 (2.4L Tigershark) is the base option and the problem child — a class-action lawsuit documented oil consumption up to 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the vacuum pump on the brake booster wears out causing a hard, heavy pedal, and it's the less willing engine in any situation. The Pentastar-3.2 V6 is the one to have: smoother, more willing, better long-term record. Oil maintenance matters — lifter tick and rocker arm failures start around 90,000 miles and can run $700–$5,000 depending on damage. The 2019+ GME-T4 2.0T is more refined than both but has documented catastrophic failures at 40,000–60,000 miles; warranty status is critical before buying one.
The AWD system has two specific failure modes. 2014–2017 models suffer PTU actuator death when gear oil seeps into the motor housing — 'Service 4WD' appears, repairs run $1,700–$4,000, and FCA extended warranty coverage to 8 years/150,000 miles for affected VINs. The 2017–2019 build run has a separate safety recall (NHTSA 25V-011) for an improperly seated input shaft snap ring in the PTU — as of early 2025, remedy parts were still being developed.
Test-drive checklist: Cold-start the transmission and floor it — any lurching or hesitation indicates old software. Test the electric parking brake on uneven ground — the EPB module behind the license plate corrodes from water intrusion and can slam on the brakes without warning while driving. Check the front passenger floor mat for moisture — a known body sealant void under the windshield (TSB 23-015-16) sends water inside the cabin.
2026 market: 2018–2020 Cherokee with 3.2L V6 sits around $15,000–$20,000 with 60,000–100,000 miles. 2014–2015 models dip under $12,000 — for good reason. Trailhawk trims hold value better. Insider pick: 2019 Latitude or Limited with 3.2L or 2.0T, under 80,000 miles, PTU warranty status verified.
270 PS
Cherokee · Benzin
Modern engine, mature transmission
Decent181–186 PS
2.4L Tigershark Benzin
3 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Jeep Cherokee KL is available with 4 engine variants — from 181 to 273 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
2.0L turbo with 48V mild hybrid — FCA/Stellantis modern four-cylinder. 270 hp, more economical than the V6 (22-28 mpg). Limited long-term data. Coolant hose fitting leak as early issue. 91 octane recommended. Carbon buildup from direct injection possible at high mileage.
- !! Coolant leak / coolant in oil from 60,000 km
Coolant enters the engine bay through failing hose fittings or head gasket — worst case coolant in the oil. Occurs on early GME-T4 models from ~40k miles.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating, milky oil - !! Turbo bearing wear from 100,000 km
Turbo bearing wears prematurely from oil starvation — especially after short trips with no cooldown period or poor oil quality. Direct injection plus turbo: short oil change intervals (max 5k miles) are critical for longevity.
Symptoms: Whistling from turbocharger, power loss, blue smoke, elevated oil consumption - !! Elevated oil consumption from 30,000 km
2.0T turbo shows elevated oil consumption on some vehicles — direct injection without intake port oil wash. 0.5-1 quart per 3k miles in extreme cases.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level, blue smoke under acceleration, positive oil consumption test
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.4-liter Tigershark with MultiAir valve train. Modern on paper, in practice an oil consumption scandal: piston rings don't seal properly, up to 1 quart per 1,000 miles disappears. $8M class action settlement. Primarily 2014-2018. Oil warning comes too late — engine can stall without notice.
- !! Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement) from 50,000 km
Piston rings fail to seal — up to 1 qt per 1,000 mi. $8M class action confirmed design defect. Primarily 2014-2018.
Symptoms: Oil drops rapidly, no warning until critically low, engine stalls - !! Engine Stall from Low Oil Level from 40,000 km
Due to piston ring defect, oil drops unnoticed. Engine stalls without warning.
Symptoms: Engine suddenly dies, no prior warning - !! MultiAir Solenoid Failure from 80,000 km
Electronically-controlled valve train develops solenoid failures, causing power loss and rough idle.
Symptoms: Check engine P106B, power loss, rough idle
Smaller sibling of the 3.6L Pentastar, detuned to 271 hp — same architecture, same known weaknesses: rocker arm tick at higher mileage, plastic oil cooler housing leak. Runs with the ZF 9-speed and most Cherokee complaints trace back to the transmission, not the engine itself. Owners who pass 60k miles without noise and keep up with oil changes have a reliable everyday V6.
- !! Rocker arm wear — ticking, camshaft damage from 80,000 km
The 3.2L Pentastar shares the rocker arm issue with the 3.6L: needle bearing in the rocker wears prematurely, roller exits its seat, camshaft lobe gets scored. React immediately at the first metallic tick. Most expensive repair if left too long.
Symptoms: Metallic ticking on cold or warm start, misfires, power loss, surging - !! Oil cooler housing leak from 80,000 km
Plastic oil cooler housing leaks — oil escapes externally or in worst case mixes with coolant. Identical issue to the 3.6L Pentastar. Dorman metal replacement is the permanent fix.
Symptoms: Oil loss, oil-coolant cross-contamination (milky oil), overheating, oil spots under engine
2.4-liter Tigershark with MultiAir valve train. Modern on paper, in practice an oil consumption scandal: piston rings don't seal properly, up to 1 quart per 1,000 miles disappears. $8M class action settlement. Primarily 2014-2018. Oil warning comes too late — engine can stall without notice.
- !! Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement) from 50,000 km
Piston rings fail to seal — up to 1 qt per 1,000 mi. $8M class action confirmed design defect. Primarily 2014-2018.
Symptoms: Oil drops rapidly, no warning until critically low, engine stalls - !! Engine Stall from Low Oil Level from 40,000 km
Due to piston ring defect, oil drops unnoticed. Engine stalls without warning.
Symptoms: Engine suddenly dies, no prior warning - !! MultiAir Solenoid Failure from 80,000 km
Electronically-controlled valve train develops solenoid failures, causing power loss and rough idle.
Symptoms: Check engine P106B, power loss, rough idle
Smaller sibling of the 3.6L Pentastar, detuned to 271 hp — same architecture, same known weaknesses: rocker arm tick at higher mileage, plastic oil cooler housing leak. Runs with the ZF 9-speed and most Cherokee complaints trace back to the transmission, not the engine itself. Owners who pass 60k miles without noise and keep up with oil changes have a reliable everyday V6.
- !! Rocker arm wear — ticking, camshaft damage from 80,000 km
The 3.2L Pentastar shares the rocker arm issue with the 3.6L: needle bearing in the rocker wears prematurely, roller exits its seat, camshaft lobe gets scored. React immediately at the first metallic tick. Most expensive repair if left too long.
Symptoms: Metallic ticking on cold or warm start, misfires, power loss, surging - !! Oil cooler housing leak from 80,000 km
Plastic oil cooler housing leaks — oil escapes externally or in worst case mixes with coolant. Identical issue to the 3.6L Pentastar. Dorman metal replacement is the permanent fix.
Symptoms: Oil loss, oil-coolant cross-contamination (milky oil), overheating, oil spots under engine
2.0L turbo with 48V mild hybrid — FCA/Stellantis modern four-cylinder. 270 hp, more economical than the V6 (22-28 mpg). Limited long-term data. Coolant hose fitting leak as early issue. 91 octane recommended. Carbon buildup from direct injection possible at high mileage.
- !! Coolant leak / coolant in oil from 60,000 km
Coolant enters the engine bay through failing hose fittings or head gasket — worst case coolant in the oil. Occurs on early GME-T4 models from ~40k miles.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating, milky oil - !! Turbo bearing wear from 100,000 km
Turbo bearing wears prematurely from oil starvation — especially after short trips with no cooldown period or poor oil quality. Direct injection plus turbo: short oil change intervals (max 5k miles) are critical for longevity.
Symptoms: Whistling from turbocharger, power loss, blue smoke, elevated oil consumption - !! Elevated oil consumption from 30,000 km
2.0T turbo shows elevated oil consumption on some vehicles — direct injection without intake port oil wash. 0.5-1 quart per 3k miles in extreme cases.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level, blue smoke under acceleration, positive oil consumption test
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| ZF 9-Speed Transmission: jerking, hesitating, ruining the drive The ZF 9HP48 (948TE) is the most notorious Jeep problem of the 2010s. Harsh lurching from stops, transmission hunts for gears, power loss during engagement. Class action won, FCA extended warranty to 6 years/100,000 miles for 2014-2015. Software updates help — rarely fix it permanently. Symptoms: Violent jerk from a standstill, hesitation at mid-throttle, banging on gear changes, hunting at highway speeds from 27,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 19 weaknesses have been documented for the Jeep Cherokee KL (2014–2023) — 9 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. One problem engine: ED6 (2.4L Tigershark). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Body, Brakes.
Cherokee (ED6, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Piston Ring Defect: Severe Oil Consumption ($8M Settlement), Engine Stall from Low Oil Level, MultiAir Solenoid Failure. Power: 184 PS.
Cherokee (Pentastar-3.2, 2014–2023) — Be Careful: Rocker arm wear — ticking, camshaft damage, Oil cooler housing leak. Power: 271 PS.
Cherokee (GME-T4, 2019–2023) — Be Careful: Coolant leak / coolant in oil, Turbo bearing wear, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 270 PS.
What to watch out for with the Jeep Cherokee? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Jeep Cherokee KL have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee