The loudest year in the run: 1,594 complaints, eleven recalls, and the only model year caught by both Power Transfer Unit replacement campaigns.

A launch-year defect on the refreshed car. In Chrysler's words, 'a component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels,' and if the weld fails 'the vehicle will stop moving.' The remedy is not a software flash or a repair: 'dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge.' Chrysler's code is U85 and the campaign also covers 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrids. Separately, recall 18V-739 (code UA9) covers 2019 Cherokees with 2.4L engines where 'improper transmission calibration may result in a stall,' fixed by re-flashing the transmission controller. Between them these two campaigns tell you the 2019 gearbox left the factory unsettled. Check both by VIN.

The 2019 refresh introduced a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, and it arrived with an assembly defect. Recall 18V-344 (Chrysler code U52) covers 2019 Cherokees with 2.0L engines whose engines 'may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage,' and which 'may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.' Either one stalls the engine. Dealers inspect and repair or replace the affected components, free. Chrysler also documents turbo-specific service items on 2019 and 2020 cars: a P0299 turbo underboost condition after a software update, and a note that a turbo oil leak is often just the oil feed O-ring, which 'is serviced separately and complete turbo replacement may not be necessary.' Worth knowing before a shop quotes you a whole turbocharger.

Four more 2019 safety campaigns, all free, all worth confirming individually. Recall 19V-637 (code V99), covering 2019 and 2020: 'the steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control,' remedied by replacing the steering gear. Recall 18V-917 (code UC4): the instrument cluster may fail, so warning chimes, messages and gauges stop working, remedied by inspecting and replacing the cluster. Recall 19V-449 (code V63): 'the impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the air bag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events,' remedied by replacing the sensors. An owner of a 2019 confirms the scale of that one from the repair side: 'it was actually six airbag sensors that needed to be replaced.' Recall 18V-523 (code U86): rear brake caliper pistons with insufficient coating can form gas pockets and reduce rear braking, remedied by bleeding the brake system. Recall 19V-248 (code V31) tightens loose front passenger seat mounting bolts.

2019 is the last model year inside Chrysler's oil-consumption warranty extension XB1, published as Warranty Bulletin D-23-01 for 'Select 2014 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL).' The symptoms Chrysler lists are 'oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes' and 'excessive oil consumption,' and the procedure is 'performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block.' A 2018 owner who went through the program noted the important boundary: 'this does not apply to the turbo engine, I'm talking about the four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, the 2.4 liter.' So this is a 2.4L question only. A mechanic's balancing view is that the engine's bottom end and timing chain are genuinely durable, with examples past 300,000 miles, and that its weakness is a thirst for oil rather than a tendency to break. Check the level, ask for receipts, and have the dealer check XB1 eligibility by VIN.

Recall 18V-524 (Chrysler code U87) covers 2018 and 2019 Cherokees whose powertrain control module, the computer that runs the engine, 'may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.' Dealers replace the module free. On the gearbox, Chrysler published a 2019 reprogramming bulletin describing 'an audible clunk after applying throttle from a coasting condition, predominantly in fifth and sixth gear while driving 48-72 kph (30-45 mph)' and poor shift quality on 2-1 downshifts. A 2019 turbo owner also describes a dealer fix involving a coordinated update of four modules, the engine computer, the transmission computer, the driveline control module and the powertrain control module, that resolved a partial disengagement of the rear wheels. If a 2019 shifts badly, software is a genuine first stop rather than a brush-off.