The current, fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee is able to reach 175,000 to 200,000 miles and two decades of longevity. But because its drivetrain is plagued by serious issues, it probably won’t happen without having to replace major components.
Key Points
- Though some Cherokees have driven over 300,000 miles, most drivers should expect to see very serious problems begin to pile up at about 175,000 miles.
- Early generations of the Cherokee seemed to experience longer lifespans than their modern counterparts.
- Contemporary Cherokee transmissions are prone to catastrophic failure and a litany of smaller issues, from unexpected shifting to sluggish acceleration.
- The fifth-generation’s Tigershark engine leaks so much that many Cherokees run on low oil and may even shut off unexpectedly due to inadequate oil pressure.
The Jeep Cherokee Should Last Drivers Nearly Two Decades, if Properly Taken Care of and Driven Conservatively
Jeep Cherokee owners have come to expect one thing when they get behind the wheel of their SUV: That it will last a long, long time. This, combined with Jeep’s reputation for rugged durability, means that the bar has been set high for the Cherokee. So, how does the Jeep crossover measure up?
Reports on Jeep forums for early-generation Cherokees put its maximum mileage at about 250,000, with one meticulously cared for 1988 Cherokee cracking the 600,000-mile mark.
The fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee seems to perform reasonably well at higher mileages. However, with over 100,000 miles on the odometer, Cherokee drivers will likely experience common issues, such as excessive oil consumption by the leaky Tigershark engine, and nine-speed transmission problems.
One 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk owner cataloged all his Cherokee’s expenses for four years of operation, up to 141,000 miles, and his problems follow suit with prior reported issues for the Cherokee: Cracked oil filter housing and a 4L gear that would not engage on the transmission.
All things considered, a conservative estimate for the maximum lifespan of a typical fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee falls somewhere in the 175,000 to 200,000-mile range, though outliers, as with any car, exist for the Cherokee as well.
Manufacturing Problems for the Jeep Cherokee Abound, with Dozens of Recalls Since the Fifth Generation’s Introduction
In the end, it all comes down to the quality of manufacturing, and Jeep’s assembly lines have played host to a litany of issues in the past decade. The Cherokee is no exception, with 45 recalls announced since 2014.
Paramount among issues with the Cherokee are transmission woes. The nine-speed automatic is known to shift roughly, perform false shifts, shift into neutral unexpectedly, and experience catastrophic failure without forewarning.
If you expect your Cherokee to take you the distance, you’ll probably be factoring a transmission replacement into repair costs, unless the crossover is under 100,000 miles and covered by warranty, or one of 95,000 vehicles covered in a 2020 recall.
Cherokee’s Reported Problems with Oil Leaks Generally Occur at about 17,000 Miles, and in Virtually Every Model Year from 1990 Onward
The most commonly reported problem with the Cherokee is oil leaks. You may get a transmission that doesn’t miss a beat, but leaks are bound to happen on the Tigershark engines found in the Cherokee no matter what you do.
The Cherokee engine is about as watertight as a cheese grater. Oil reportedly seeps from valve-cover gaskets, oil-pan gaskets, and timing-cover gaskets. Plus, there are issues with faulty oil filter housings cracking.
These problems usually start to occur at about the 17,000-mile mark, and in nearly every model year from 1990 on.
Given these issues, the Cherokee has a lot to worry about. There are so many possible major malfunctions that drivers may be better off moving on to another vehicle as the odometer climbs.
Though repair cost estimates are relatively low—at about $520 per year—the severity of the repairs necessitated should raise some eyebrows among drivers.
The Cherokee has Been in a Steady State of Decline Since its Early Iterations Due to Cost-cutting Measures by Jeep
With good maintenance and driving, owners of a newer model should expect to get 200,000 miles out of a Cherokee, but that is no guarantee these days. Shoddy manufacturing has left consumers out in the cold. Where Jeep once was a stalwart competitor, it now lasts only due to its former renown.
As the years have gone by, owners have seen their Cherokees become less rugged and less dependable. The simple fact that a Jeep from 30 years ago should last longer than one manufactured this week is a testament to the decline in quality in Jeeps after the new millennium.
First and second-generation Cherokees will simply outlast newer models despite the advances in technology and comfort made over the years. They just aren’t built the way they used to be.
Photos: Stellantis
