Inside the cabin on the driver's side, there is a hood release lever under the dash near the kick panel. Pull it to pop the hood, then locate and release the exterior latch at the front edge of the hood to open it fully.
Interior hood release location
Use the following steps to locate and operate the interior hood release:
- Open the driver's door and sit comfortably with a clear view of the area under the dash on the left side.
- Look for a small lever with a hood icon, mounted near the kick panel or just below the steering column.
- Firmly pull the lever; you should hear a click or pop as the hood pops up slightly.
Once the interior latch releases, the hood will pop up enough to access the exterior latch from the front of the vehicle.
Exterior latch and opening the hood
The exterior safety latch is located along the front edge of the hood, typically near the center or slightly off-center. This latch must be released to lift the hood all the way open:
- Stand in front of the Cherokee and reach under the front edge of the hood to feel for the exterior latch under the center area.
- Release the latch by moving the lever or tab in the indicated direction (usually to the side or upward, depending on trim).
- Lift the hood slowly and allow the gas struts to hold it open; there is typically no prop rod on this model.
Note: On the 2015 Cherokee, the hood is held open by gas struts rather than a manual prop rod.
With the interior and exterior latches understood, you can confidently open and access the engine bay for maintenance or inspection.
Tips and safety
Ensure the hood is fully latched before driving. If either latch feels stiff, sticky, or damaged, have the mechanism inspected by a professional. Keep fingers clear of pinch points when releasing latches.
Summary
The hood latch system on a 2015 Jeep Cherokee involves a driver-side interior release under the dash to pop the hood, followed by an exterior latch along the front edge of the hood to open it completely. The hood is held up by gas struts, not a prop rod. Use caution and verify both latches are secure before driving.