# Jeep Cherokee brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 215 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (71) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 215 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Jeep Cherokee (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (71). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Jeep Cherokee brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 71 | 1794 | 4% | | 2016 | 37 | 1414 | 3% | | 2017 | 39 | 1338 | 3% | | 2018 | 11 | 689 | 2% | | 2019 | 40 | 1676 | 2% | | 2020 | 9 | 334 | 3% | | 2021 | 6 | 177 | 3% | | 2022 | 1 | 52 | 2% | | 2023 | 1 | 3 | 33% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Jeep Cherokee recalls related to the brake warning light **[18V523000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V523000)** (2019 models, reported 2018-08-09): A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Jeep Cherokee owners report - "The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic parking brake control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who was unable to provide the diagnostic result for the failure. The..." -- owner of a 2023 Jeep Cherokee, complaint filed 2025 - "Two-three times I had 18 wheelers behind me going down steep hill when I was using cruise control, JEEP quickly reached 75~77mph, then suddenly brakes clamped down with a lot of force and big trucks had to hit their brakes hard and were not far from my rear bumper. I do watch in rear view mirror often when driving...." -- owner of a 2022 Jeep Cherokee, complaint filed 2024 - "I released the parking brake and applied slight pressure on the gas. There was a clicking noise and no attempt to move. I had the car towed to Tate Jeep of Frederick MD. I bought the car used from a Mazda dealership in Baltimore with 14,100 miles one month earlier." -- owner of a 2021 Jeep Cherokee, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Jeep Cherokee brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (18V523000) covering 2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Jeep Cherokee years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Cherokee model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 71 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Jeep Cherokee with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Jeep Cherokee has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Jeep dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Jeep Cherokee warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-cherokee): 32 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-cherokee): 144 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-cherokee): 75 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-cherokee): 145 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 5 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee): 92 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints - [Chevrolet Tahoe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-tahoe): 136 complaints ## Jeep Cherokee - [Jeep Cherokee specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/jeep-cherokee) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.