Recalls & faults: Jeep KL Cherokee (2014-on)

Recalls: Jeep KL Cherokee

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Jeep KL Cherokee

2014 Jeep KL Cherokee with Adaptive Cruise Control: unintended acceleration

In June 2014, a recall was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were fitted with Adaptive Cruise Control. In these vehicles, the vehicle may experience unintended and continued acceleration after the Adaptive Cruise Control had been overridden. If this occurred, the vehicle may accelerate to very high speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, posing an accident hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2014/14139).

2014 Jeep KL Cherokee: rear shock absorbers may break

In September 2014, a recall was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured from 21 May 2014 to 6 June 2014 and had Hitachi rear shock absorbers. In these vehicles, the rear shock absorbers may break at one of the attachment points. If this occurred, a partially detached shock absorber could cause damage to other rear chassis or suspension components – this could cause an accident and therefore posed a hazard to the drive and other road users (PRA 2014/14306).

Jeep KL Cherokee: inadvertent airbag deployment

In February 2015, a recall was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles. When driving off road, these vehicles may achieve angles that exceed the calibration thresholds of the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC), causing the side curtain airbags and seat airbags to deploy. Such deployment of the airbags could pose an accident hazard by distracting the driver and impairing visibility (PRA 2015/14575).

Jeep KL Cherokee: misrouted air conditioning hose and potential leaks

In November 2015, a recall was issued Jeep KL Cherokee models because the air conditioning (A/C) hose may have been misrouted during the manufacturing process. The air conditioning hose may therefore contact the engine’s exhaust manifold and prolonged contact may cause air conditioning refrigerant and/or refrigerant oil to leak. If the air conditioning refrigerant oil were to leak on a hot exhaust manifold, it could cause smoke and/or a fire in the engine compartment (PRA 2015/15047).

Jeep KL Cherokee: corrosion of liftgate control module #1

In August 2015, a recall was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk variants. In these vehicles, the power liftgate control module may experience a corrosion-induced high resistance short circuit in its electrical connector(s). Furthermore, the power liftgate control module electrical connector(s) could allow water intrusion and cause the module to become inoperative and/or cause a fire. For the VINs of the recalls Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles, please see PRA 2015/14852. 

2015-16 Jeep KL Cherokee: corrosion of liftgate control module #2

In February 2016, a recall was issued for 2015 and 2016 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles because the power liftgate control module may experience a corrosion induced, high resistance short circuit in the power liftgate module electrical connector(s). Furthermore, the power liftgate module electrical connector(s) could allow water intrusion and cause the module to become inoperative and/or cause a fire (PRA 2016/15175).

2014-15 Jeep KL Cherokee: vehicle may lose power

In September 2016, a recall was issued for 2014 and 2015 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles because the transaxle wiring harness may have been manufactured with insufficient wire terminal crimp(s) – this could cause an intermittent high electrical resistance in the transaxle wire harness circuit(s). As a result, the vehicle may lose motive power and pose an accident hazard for the driver and other road users. Furthermore, a high resistance circuit(s) in this wiring harness could cause the on-board diagnostic system to log a Diagnostic Trouble Code (PRA 2016/15624).

Jeep KL Cherokee with Off Road Group: non-compliant flare protection spats

In September 2016, a recall was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured from 4 February 2013 to 17 February 2016 and equipped with ‘Off Road Group’. For these vehicles, the wheel flare protection spats may not have been installed during the vehicle assembly process and vehicles built without wheel flare protection spats did not comply with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 42/04 since the absence of wheel flare protection spats increased the risk of debris coming into contact with bystanders, thereby posing an injury hazard. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15602.

2014-16 Jeep KL Cherokee: seat fastener not tightened

In October 2016, a recall was issued for 2014-16 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles. In these vehicles, the seats may have been manufactured with a seat fastener that was not tightened to the proper torque specification. This posed a safety hazard as a loose seat fastener could increase the risk of injury to seat occupants in the event of a collision. For the VINs of the recalled Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles, please seePRA 2016/15661).

2014-18 Jeep KL Cherokee Trailhawk: Vehicle Recovery Strap

In January 2018, a recall was issued for 2014-18 Jeep KL Cherokee Trailhawk vehicles that were supplied with a Vehicle Recovery Strap. The Vehicle Recovery Strap did not comply with the labelling requirements of the Consumer Goods (Motor Vehicle Recover Straps) Safety Standard 2017 or the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Motor Vehicle Recovery Straps) Regulations 2010 (Cth). The absence of suitable warnings or information on the strap’s labelling could result in consumers using the strap in an unsafe manner. To rectify this, the strap was to be repaired or replaced at no cost to the owner (PRA 2018/16511).

2018 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L: fuel leak from fuel tube

In May 2018, a recall was issued for 2018 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L vehicles that had ED6 or ED8 engines. The fuel tube in these vehicles may have been incorrectly manufactured – this could result in a fuel leak and, potentially, an engine compartment fire. The fuel leak could also cause the vehicle to lose power and shut down without warning, potentially causing a collision. For the VINs of the recalled Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16780.

2014-18 Jeep KL Cherokee: cruise control could lock speed or cause acceleration

In June 2018, a recall (campaign number U63) was issued for 2014-18 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles. In these vehicles, software for the Power Control Module (PCM) was faulty. In certain circumstances, this could affect the cruise control function to lock speed or cause the vehicle to accelerate. If the driver did not shift to neutral or apply the brakes to stop the vehicle, this condition could cause a collision. To fix, the dealer was to inspect and if necessary reprogram software for the PCM and transmission. For the VINs of the recalled Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16849.

2018 Jeep KL Cherokee AWD: loss of power and/or inability to stay in park

In August 2018, recall campaign U78 was issued for 2018 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had all-wheel drive. In these vehicles, a fault with the right front halfshaft assembly could cause a loss of power or an inability to stay in the ‘park’ gear when stationary. Furthermore, a broken halfshaft bearing cage could result in a loss of motive power which had the potential to cause a collision if this occurred while the vehicle was in traffic. For the VINs of the recalled 2018 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles, please see PRA 2018/169393.

2018 Jeep KL Cherokee: engine may stall while driving

In August 2018, recall campaign U87 was issued for 2018 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles. In these vehicles, the powertrain control module could fail and this could cause:

• The vehicle not to start;
• The vehicle to start and then stall immediately; or
• The engine to stall while the vehicle was being driven.

If the latter occurred, the vehicle would pose a collision risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16976.

2019 model year Jeep KL Cherokee: reduction in rear brake performance

In August 2018, recall campaign U86 was issued for 2019 model year Jeep Cherokee vehicles that were available for sale in Australia during 2018. In these vehicles, the chrome coating on the rear brake calipers could cause gas pockets to form in the brake system – this could cause a reduction in rear brake performance, increased stopping distances, increased brake pedal travel and/or soft brake pedal feel after start-up. For the VINs of the recalled Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16981.

2014-18 Jeep KL Cherokee: transmission to neutral and loss of power

In August 2019, recall campaign V69 was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 February 2014 to 1 January 2018. These vehicles may experience a ‘stuck clutch’ whereby the transmission may shift to neutral. By engaging neutral, the vehicle would experience an unexpected loss of motive power – this could cause a collision and posed a hazard to the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17749.

2018-19 Jeep KL Cherokee: airbags may not deploy as intended

In August 2019, recall campaign V63 was issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 March 2018 to 9 August 2019. In these vehicles, there may be a loss of communication between an acceleration sensor and the occupant restraint controller (ORC). The airbag system may therefore not function as required in the event of a collision and this increased the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17746.

2013-18 Jeep KL Cherokee: power transfer unit

In November 2020, recall campaigns W47 and W48 were issued for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 June 2013 to 1 June 2018. In these vehicles, the differential gear splines inside the Power Transfer Unity (PTU) could wear and, eventually, fail. Wear on the PTU splines could cause a loss of power while the vehicle was moving and the loss of the ‘PARK’ function while stationary. Both of these symptoms could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18423.

Problems and faults: Jeep KL Cherokee

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

2014 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L and 3.2L V6 with 9sp auto: Transmission Control Module (TCM) re-programming

In May 2014, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-018-14 for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had nine-speed 948TE automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be logged:

• P072F – Stuck in Gear 4;
• P076F – Gear 7 shift incorrect ratio;
• P0810 – Clutch position control error;
• P1CC9 – Unable to engage gear;
• P0734 – Gear 4 shift incorrect ratio; and,
• P061B – Internal control module torque calculation performance.

For affected vehicles, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be re-programmed with new software. The software update also sought to provide improvements for:

• Garage shifts (Park to Reverse or Drive);
• Coastdown shift quality;
• Shift quality;
• Throttle response and performance feel;
• Management and prevention of busy shifting; and,
• Lift foot/change mind shift quality.

2014 Jeep KL Cherokee 3.2L V6: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) re-programming

In June 2015, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-043-15 for 2014 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had 3.2-litre petrol engines and nine-speed automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM):

• P0711-00 – Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range-Performance;
• P072F-00 – Stuck in Gear 4;
• P076F-00 – Gear 7 shift incorrect ratio;
• P0810-00 – Clutch position control error;
• P1CC9-00 – Unable to engage gear;
• P0734-00 – Gear 4 shift incorrect ratio; and,
• P061B-00 – Internal control module torque calculation performance.

For affected vehicles, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be re-programmed with the latest available software. The software update was also intended to provide improvements for the following:

• The delay when downshifting from third to second gear (3-2) while driving on inclines;
• Garage shifts (Park to Reverse or Drive);
• Overall coast down shift quality;
• Throttle response and performance feel;
• Management and prevention of busy shifting; and,
• Lift foot/change mind shift quality.

2014-15 Jeep KL Cherokee with 9sp auto: C-Clutch Snap Ring replacement

In February 2015, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-008-15 REV.A for 2014-15 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had nine-speed 948TE automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the driver may experience poor shift quality during a 5-4 downshift and/or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). Furthermore, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) U0402 may be logged in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) memory. For affected vehicles, the transmission was to be removed, disassembled and the C-Clutch snap ring replaced.

2014-15 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) re-programming

In May 2016, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 18-004-16 REV.A for 2014-15 Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had 2.4-litre petrol engines. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be logged –

• 2015 Jeep KL Cherokee only:
  • P0335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit;
  • P0456 – EVAP System Small Leak;
  • P0300 – Multiple Cylinder Misfire;
  • P0301 – Cylinder 1 Misfire;
  • P0302 – Cylinder 2 Misfire;
  • P0303 – Cylinder 3 Misfire;
  • P0304 – Cylinder 4 Misfire;
  • P2610 – PCM Internal Engine Off Timer Performance;
  • P1607 – PCM Internal Shutdown Timer Rationality;
  • U0402 – Implausible Data Received From TCM (ED6);
  • P0116 – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Performance;
  • P050D – Cold Start Rough Idle;
  • P2172 – High Airflow/Vacuum Leak Detected; and/or
  • P219A – Air-Fuel Ratio Cylinder Imbalance Bank 1 has been set in the PCM.
• 2014 Jeep KL Cherokee only:
  • P2172 – High Airflow/Vacuum Leak Detected;
  • P219A – Air-Fuel Ratio Cylinder Imbalance Bank 1 has been set in the PCM;
  • P106A – Cylinder 3 Oil Supply Solenoid Valve Switch Off Time Out Of Range;
  • P2251 – O2 Sensor 1/1 Negative Current Control Circuit Open; and/or,
  • P0031 – O2 Sensor 1/1 Heater Circuit Low.

In addition to the MIL and DTCs, the driver may also experience one or more of the following:

• Cold engine start-up flare and idle surge;
• Intermittent elevated engine RPM at start-up;
• Poor gear engagement in lower ambient temperatures; and,
• Poor idle quality.

For affected vehicles, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was to be updated with the latest available software.

2015 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L and 3.6L with 9sp auto: Transmission Control Module (TCM) re-programming

In April 2016, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-015-16 for Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles:

• With 2.4-litre petrol engines and nine-speed 948TE automatic transmissions; and,
• With 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines and nine-speed 948TE automatic transmissions that were manufactured after 2 March 2015.

In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) were stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM):

• P0887-00 – TCM Power Control Circuit High;
• P061B-00 – Internal Control Module Torque Calculation Performance;
• U0401-00 – Implausible Data Received From ECM/PCM;
• P1DAD-00 – Input Shaft-Output Shaft Direction Correlation; and,
• P0711-00 – Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range-Performance.

For these vehicles, the Transmission Control Module was to be re-programmed with the latest software. Other improvements in the software included the following:

• Garage shift improvements;
• Shift improvements for 2-1 shift quality when using Electronic Range Sensor (ERS) function for 2-1 downshift and 3-1 shift quality (bump) when coasting to a stop; and,
• When driving on grades, the 3-2 downshift may have been hard to achieve or not available.

2015 Jeep KL Cherokee Diesel: Transmission Control Module (TCM) re-programming

In October 2015, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-016-15 REV.B for 2015 model year Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles that had 2.0-litre diesel engines and nine-speed automatic transmissions. In these vehicles, the driver may see a ‘Stop/Start Ready’ message in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) when the vehicle did not perform an auto stop event; this message typically appeared when the vehicle was being driven in ‘Snow Mode’. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) could illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM) memory:

• P0887 – TCM Power Control Circuit High;
• P1634 – TCM Internal Watchdog Performance;
• P061B – Internal Control Module Torque Calculation Performance;
• U0401 – Implausible Data Received from ECM/PCM;
• P1DAD – Input Shaft/Output Shaft Direction Correlation; and/or,
• P1DAF – Incompatible Limp in Action Requested (set in conjunction with U1424 – Implausible Engine Torque Signal Received).

To fix, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be re-programmed with the latest available software.

2016 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) re-programming

In February 2016, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 18-014-16 for 2016 model year Jeep Cherokee vehicles with 2.4-litre petrol engines. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) may be logged:

• P0101 – Mass Air Flow Sensor “A” Circuit Performance;
• P0335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit;
• P0133 – O2 Sensor 1/1 Slow Response;
• P1607 – PCM Internal Shutdown Timer Rationality;
• P2610 – PCM Internal Engine Off Timer Performance;
• B104D – Blend Door Control Circuit Low;
• U0402 – Implausible Data Received From TCM; and/or,
• U1424 – Implausible Engine Torque Signal Received.

Furthermore, the driver may experience ‘transmission tip-in bump’ when accelerating out of fourth gear. For affected vehicles, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was to be re-programmed with the latest available software.

2016 Jeep KL Cherokee 2.4L and 3.2L V6: Transmission Control Module (TCM) re-programming

In January 2016, Fiat Chrysler issued Service Bulletin 21-001-16 for 2016 model year Jeep KL Cherokee vehicles. For Jeep KL Cherokees with 2.4L and 3.2L petrol engines, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P061B for ‘Internal Control Module Torque Calculation Performance’ may be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM) memory. For the Cherokee 2.4L, the driver may also experience the following:

• Poor low speed drivability and response to accelerator pedal input;
• Abrupt downshifts from fifth to fourth gear;
• Abrupt or poor quality gearshifts; and/or,
• The transmission being slow to upshift after the accelerator pedal was released.

For the Cherokee 3.2L, however, the driver may also experience the following:

• Poor low speed drivability and response to accelerator pedal input;
• Abrupt downshifts from fifth to fourth gear;
• Abrupt or poor quality gearshifts;
• Poor transmission shift timing when driving up and down hills;
• For the Engine Stop/Start system, slow re-engagement or a lack of smoothness; and/or,
• The transmission being slow to upshift after the accelerator pedal was released.

For affected vehicles, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be re-programmed with updated software.