2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 336 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 336
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 16
- 9 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Grand Cherokee is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | AWD, RWD | 21 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylGas | AWD | 17 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cylGas | AWD | 13 mpg |
| 6.4L 8-cylGas | AWD | 15 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | AWD | 24 mpg |
- The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was sold in five versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Grand Cherokee that averages well under the EPA 13 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Lifter, rocker, valvetrain failure
57,000–87,000 miles
Head gasket failure
67,000–100,000 miles
Control arm breaking
88,000–121,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Brakes823 crashes
Brake failures and stacked warning lights dominate these reports, and most tie back to two federal recalls on the hydraulic brake system. Check engine, ABS, stability control, and Auto-Park Disabled warnings appear together, sometimes with stalling or brake lights that stop working. Many owners say the dealer has no recall part or no fix, so the defect stays unrepaired. Other reports describe a pedal that sinks toward the floor and brakes that do not stop the car. Three complaints involve crashes, with two injuries.
Electrical67No crashes
The car stalls while driving or will not start, often alongside a flood of warnings for stability control, check engine, and airbags. Some reports describe the whole dash going dark mid-drive, losing the speedometer and turn signals. Several stalling cases come from nearly new cars. Other complaints cover brake lights that stay on after shutdown, even after a recall software update, and a Uconnect screen that freezes, reboots, or delaminates, taking the backup camera and audio alerts with it. Dealers often cannot reproduce these faults.
Transmission381 crash
Loss of drive at speed is the core complaint. The engine revs but the transmission stops sending power, often on the highway, and the dash tells the driver to shift to park and restart. Other reports describe harsh or confused shifts when cold, a car stuck in its lowest gear, a blinking D indicator, Service Shifter warnings, and lurching when selecting a gear. Several cases start on new cars with only a few thousand miles. Dealers frequently cannot duplicate the fault. One complaint involves a crash.
Engine20No crashes
Internal failures on the 3.6L engine stand out. Blown head gaskets bring misfires, rough idle, and smoke from the tailpipe. Worn lifters, rockers, or camshafts announce themselves with ticking or tapping and a flashing check engine light, with reports between roughly 57,000 and 87,000 miles. Oil cooler and oil adapter leaks also appear, and one was followed by engine failure. Several complaints describe sudden power loss at highway speed, and a few here actually concern the transmission.
Steering142 crashes
A wheel that sticks or seizes mid-drive, then breaks free suddenly, is the main pattern. Reports describe a wheel that will not return to center after a curve or highway merge, often in left turns, and needs extra force to straighten. Mechanics in several cases pointed to the steering rack. Other complaints describe stiff steering when the car's electrical system shuts down while moving. A warning light usually does not appear. Two complaints involve crashes, including one into a guard rail.
Airbags115 crashes
Airbags that fail to deploy in serious crashes are the gravest pattern. Reports describe frontal and side impacts that totaled the car with no deployment, and these crashes account for 6 injuries. The more common nuisance is a Service Airbag System warning that flickers on and off, which at least one dealer traced to wiring under the driver's seat. Other reports cite a passenger sensor that does not detect an occupant and a headrest airbag that deployed while the car sat parked.
Suspension83 crashes
A front lower control arm separating while driving is the most serious report here, leading to loss of control and a crash. Other complaints describe front-end creaking at low speed, vibration through the wheel and brake pedal on the highway, and steering that pulls hard to one side. Dealers often find nothing. Air suspension service warnings return after repairs. Some complaints filed here concern the open ABS recall, which owners say still lacks parts. Three complaints involve crashes.
Seats7No crashes
Active headrests that burst open with no collision are the main complaint, sometimes with a loud bang while the car is parked or moving. Repair quotes run from $600 to over $800, and owners say a warranty extension covering earlier model years does not apply to this one. Other reports describe a driver's seat bolster collapsing within a year, a burning odor and holes in a rear seat a dealer linked to the heating element, and a second-row seat that lurches forward when released.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Grand Cherokee owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The exact same issue described in NHTSA 23E-019 happened to this vehicle, but Chrysler is saying this vehicle doesn't qualify for the recall even though the same issue described in the recall notice occurred to this vehicle and since this is a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it does fit the timeframe this recall occurred 2011-2022 (WK) Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Jeep dealer has still not issued a repair solution for the open recall on my car that was issued in June 2022. The recall cannot be repaired as Jeep does not have a solution in order to fix.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
Touch screen on uConnect system freezes upon startup or randomly while driving and will also turn blue and reboot several times before it functions properly. Backup camera will not function when screen is frozen and this is a major safety concern. Top left corner of touch screen has started to delaminate, approximately 3 months out of standard 3 year warranty. Vehicle has 36,981 miles. Delamination is causing issues with touch screen.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Electronic stability control and check engine lights on. Remote start and auto park stopped working. Dealer says not covered . 43000 miles. Quoted 1400.00 to repair.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
Check engine light illuminated, engine sputtered and slowed down at highway speeds causing risk of accident. Head gasket blown at only 67000 miles. This has been a chronic issue with the engine in this vehicle in previous models and was supposed to be resolved.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
JEEP grand Cherokee’s are know for their faulty transmissions, I just bought a 2019 jeep grand Cherokee from the dealer and it has a faulty transmission. I’ve research and found out that other owners have same issues. This issues cause the car to jerk forward going from 2nd to 1st gear. This can be an issue because the jerk is strong and can cause an accident when stopping. Please help us out with this issue as it is a safety concern. Thank you!
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Car shifts out of gear without pushing the brake. The gear shifter will switch to neutral while driving. While not driving car can shift into reverse without pushing the brake and barely touching the gear shifter. Thai cause the car to stop at high speeds on the highway and unsafely go into gear. This recall has been unresolved for at least a year and is dangerous.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
While in Drive, accelerating from a complete stop the car will lag as if the engine is going to shut off. Additionally, the car will be at a stop and driver will attempt to accelerate and car will not recognize it is in Drive. The car will notify the driver on the dash to shift the car into Park.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
How the 2019 compares with other Grand Cherokee years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Grand Cherokee years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Brakes8214
- Electrical67111
- Transmission3835
- Engine2023
- Steering1433
- Airbags117
Where the 2019 fits in the Grand Cherokee's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the ninth model year of the Grand Cherokee's fourth generation (2011–2022).
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V838000BrakesNov 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC). In addition, the vehicle operator may be able to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.
Risk: A vehicle that can be started and shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle rollaway. Disabled ABS and ESC systems can reduce vehicle handling and control in certain driving situations. Brake lights that incorrectly illuminate can fail to properly indicate the driver's intention to following traffic. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated pressure transducer and update the ABS module software, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 94B. This recall replaces previous recall number 22V-426. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-426 will need to have the new remedy completed.
23V411000EngineJun 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
22V426000BrakesJun 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.
Risk: A vehicle that starts and shifts out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix: This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 24V838. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. The remedy includes updated HCU/ABS module software that prevents the HCU/ABS module from falsely reading pressure in the primary circuit. FCA has decided to do a two-Phase Campaign remedy schedule. Phase 1 began November 17, 2022. Phase 2 begin date has not been determined yet. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed July 28, 2020. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 29, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z48.
22V406000Fuel systemJun 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
20V699000EngineNov 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
20V191000Backup cameraSep 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
20V183000TransmissionMar 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. The front differential may have been assembled with pinion gears that are insufficiently hardened, which can lead to the gear teeth wearing down. If both pinion gears have their teeth sufficiently worn off, torque power can not be transferred from the front wheels to the driveline, resulting in loss of power while driving and loss of the PARK function when stationary.
Risk: A sudden loss of power while driving or loss of the transmission PARK function can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front differential, free of charge. The recall began May 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W22.
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2019 owner complaints, side by side
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