2016 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,406 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 37 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, wiring, rear compartment/trunkPark outsideMay 11, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
Campaign 23V338000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 27, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-343.
Campaign 23V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, differential unitJun 11, 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
Campaign 20V343000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 17, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Campaign 18V332000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentDec 21, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Campaign 17V824000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsAug 10, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall S63.
Campaign 16V590000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftMay 11, 2016
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
Campaign 16V287000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftMay 11, 2016
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
Campaign 16V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiring, rear compartment/trunkDec 9, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. This recall is superseded by NHTSA recall 23V-338.
Campaign 15V826000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
629 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Feb 3, 2016
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING DOWN ROAD. ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING BUT ALL ATTEMPTS TO GET TRANS. TO ENGAGE FAILED. LEFT US STRANDED IN A TRAVEL LANE ON HIGHWAY. POLICE CALLED FOR SAFETY WHILE WAITING FOR ROAD SIDE TOWING. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS NOW REPLACING MANY PARTS UNSUCCESSFULLY AND NOW SAYS PROBABLY NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. ITS ONLY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 265 MI. THIS IS A FAULTY DANGEROUS VEHICLE! NOW I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THERE IS NO FIX. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED . THE 9 SPD. AUTO TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WILL GET PEOPLE HURT OR KILLED.
Power train, Jan 8, 2016
WE BOUGHT A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT TWO DAYS AGO.AT A 108 MILES WHILE DRIVING UP A CITY STREET. THE CAR BECAME VERY JERKY, LUNGING FORWARD, THEN WENT IN TO NEUTRAL AND DIED. AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANY DRIVERS NEAR US AND WE WEREN'T ON A HWY. THE DEALERSHIP DID TOW IT BACK TO THEIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS.AFTER RESEARCHING AND FINDING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR AND TRANSMISSION OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE STATED THAT THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVEN AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS IN FOR REPAIRS OF THIS ISSUE. I'M TERRIFIED TO GET THIS CAR BACK. LEMON LAW STATES I HAVE TO GIVE THEM 3 TIMES TO FIX THIS, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO GAMBLE WITH MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY TWO MORE TIMES? WHEN THIS MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN PUTTING THESE TRANSMISSIONS OUT FOR THREE YEARS PROMISING IT'S FIXED WITH EACH NEW YEAR RELEASE. I'M SICK WITH CONCERN.
Power train, Dec 23, 2015
BRAND NEW CAR, SHAKE AND SHIMMY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND HITS HARD IN 4TH. I HAVE ROUGHLY 1400 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, THE TEAM CLAIMED TO FIX IT WITH A TCM FLASH. HOWEVER, MUCH LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, THE FLASH DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN JEEP'S ABILITY TO FIX THIS ACROSS 3 YEARS. THIS ISSUE HOLD THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS 2014, 15, AND NOW 16 MODEL YEARS. LOOKING FORWARD TO EXERCISING MY STATES LEMON LAW.
Power train, Dec 14, 2015
FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 1,300 MILES ON IT AFTER NEARLY 3 MONTHS OF USE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE ROAD WITH A 45MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE TRANSMISSION JUST SHUT DOWN AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPM SHOT UP TO A HIGH LEVEL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE NEAR ME ON THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD TOLD ME TO "SERVICE TRANSMISSION. RESTART VEHICLE IN PARK WITH VEHICLE AT ZERO SPEED" I DID THIS AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD CLUNKING SOUND. I COULD STILL NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO REPEAT THE PROCESS A FEW MORE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN NORMALLY. THE CAR SEEMINGLY WORKED FINE AFTER THAT. EVEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT HAD TURNED ON, WAS NOW OFF. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO WAY OF TELLING WHEN, IF AT ALL, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SO NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR. IF I HAD BEEN ON A BUSIER ROAD, AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED.