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: other or unspecified
313 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2021
I'VE READ MUCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. MY 2016 JEEP WITH LESS THAN 20K MILES ON IT IS GETTING A "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING MESSAGE. WHEN THIS LIGHT TURNS ON, ALL THE SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON AS WELL. WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IT CLEARS THE FAULT ONLY TO SEE THE ERROR MESSAGE POP UP AGAIN WITHIN 5 OR SO MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS ALSO MAKES IT WHERE I CANNOT MANUALLY UP OR DOWN SHIFT. NO ISSUES TURNING OR STATIONARY, SEEMS TO BE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE CITY OR HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE KEEPS APPEARING, AND SOLID RED LIGHTS STAY ON THE SHIFTER DISPLAY PRND WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF IT DISAPPEARS BUT RETURNS IN LESS THAN 2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THE SHIFTING IS ROUGH AND JUMPY. HAD CAR LESS THAN 1 WEEK.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 15, 2021
MY JEEP WAS LOOKED AT UNDER THE W20 RECALL, IT FIXED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT LATER CAME BACK UP. I'M NOT SURE IF THE RECALL WAS PART OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT I'VE TRIED TO RESET IT, AND THAT IS NOT WORKING. I DON'T FEEL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FIXED. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO? SHOULD I BRING MY JEEP TO A JEEP DEALER??
Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 12, 2021
TRANSMISSION JERKS. PARKING BRAKE COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2021
MY JEEP SHUTS OFF WHEN IN MOTION. LAST NOVEMBER I WAS ON A HIGHWAY WITH MY TODDLER IN THE BACKSEAT WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED AN "UPDATE" ON THE TRANSMISSION. NOW IT IS A FEW MONTHS LATER AND AGAIN TODAY IT SUDDENLY TURNED OFF WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PCM THAT MAYBE COULD BE CAUSING IT TO SHUT OFF. THEY CANNOT EVEN GIVE YOU A QUICK APPOINTMENT AND EXPECT ME TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT IS, COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND ALMOST CAUSING FULL COLLISION ON TWO OCCASIONS. HOW CAN NOBODY CARE THAT THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE DEATH IN A COLLISION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION? THEY JUST KEEP SAYING THEY UNDERSTAND BUT THAT IT JUST NEEDS AN UPDATE AND FOR ME TO JUST WAIT A WEEK OR MORE UNTIL THEIR NEXT APPOINTMENT. THEY SAY I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MAIL OF ANY RECALL OR UPDATE BUT I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF ANYTHING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING KEEPS POPPING UP. ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF IT GOES AWAY FOR A FEW THOUSAND MILES THEN POPS BACK UP. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE UNSURE WHY THIS WOULD COME ON. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS OF US GETTING IT BRAND NEW. TODAY WAS THE MOST RECENT & WHEN I DECIDED TO GOOGLE IT & SEEN WHERE YOU CAN PUT IN INTO THIS SITE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 12, 2021
CAR SHUTS OFF MID-DRIVE / MID-TURN WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH CLUSTER AFTER OR DURING. NO EXPLANATION WHY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2021
I HAVE A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING COMES ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THE LIGHT INDICATORS ON THE THE GEAR SHIFTER NO LONGER COME ON. THE DASHBOARD IS LOCKED WITH THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE. IT HAS BEEN RECURRING FOR THE PAST MONTH. MECHANICS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.*DT*JB
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2021
MY CAR WILL JUST DIE WHILE I AM OPERATING IT. THEN IT WILL TURN RIGHT BACK ON, AND DRIVE FINE. IT GOES INTO A GHOST MODE, POWER STEERING STILL WORKS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 17, 2021
1. THE NEW BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD ON MY 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE AND BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY ON MAY 28, 2020 AND ON 1-17-21 THE NEW BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD. 2. WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE COMES ON AND BRAKES THE CAR, I DISENGAGED THE BRAKE AND CONTINUED OUT OF DRIVE WAY AND WILL DO IT AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2021
AS I AM DRIVING ALONG, THE CONSOLE ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TELLS ME THAT I NEED TO 'SERVICE SHIFTER'. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, THEN IT REPEATS. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT IS DOING THIS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2021
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' ALERT IS ON, I HAVE A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH 21000 MILES. I HAVE DONE SOME INVESTIGATING AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR MANY JEEP'S, YET IS NOT A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT HAS POPPED UP ON MY JEEP TWICE NOW.
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2020
VEHICLE DIES AND YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VERY SLOWLY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND DIED. POWER STEERING LOSS AND BRAKE LOSS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS DEATH TRAP AND I WOULD LIKE THE ENGINE REPLACED. OR BE ABLE TO GET RID OF IT WITHOUT PAYING A FORTUNE. ALSO 2 DAYS BEFORE THIS IT STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE GOING 50 PMH.
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2020
MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. GENERALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, WHILE I'M DECELERATING IT DECIDES TO DECELERATE TO WHERE I'M NOW GOING JUST A FEW MILES AN HOUR TO COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'VE REPLACED MY BATTERY TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T AN ISSUE AND MY BATTERY LIGHT DID COME ON AS WELL AFTER THE SHUT OFF. MY SCREEN ALSO TELLS ME TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND CHOOSE DESIRED GEAR. WHEN MY CAR IS CLEARLY IN DRIVE BUT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE PICTURE IS FROM TODAY, THIS BATTERY WAS REPLACED YESTERDAY.
Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT. WHEN IT COMES ON IT AFFECTS ALL OF THE CAR'S FEATURES, REMOTE, CRUISE, SPEEDOMETER. HAVE HAD FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TO 4 TIMES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
I BOUGHT A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE WITH 56,000. I HAD IT FOR 1 DAY BEFORE I GOT A SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIT UP RED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO COME IN RIGHT AWAY, BUT THE LIGHT WENT OFF WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK ON FOR A FEW WEEK, BUT NOW IT COMES ON EVERYDAY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR 2016-2019 JEEP'S, AND EVEN AFTER GETTING THE WIRING AND SHIFTER REPLACED THE ISSUE WILL COME BACK. I'VE READ ABOUT PEOPLE WHOSE CAR GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND THEY CAN'T PUT IT INTO DRIVE OR PARK. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING TO HAVE THE ISSUE 'FIXED' WHEN IT ISN'T REALLY GETTING FIXED AND NOBODY KNOWS WHY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON, BLOCKING THE SPEEDOMETER. ALL THE LIGHTS FOR THE DIFFERENT GEARS LIGHT. IT WILL RESET AFTER THE CAR IS RESTARTING, BUT WILL COME BACK ON AFTER CITY DRIVING FOR ABOUT 200 MILES OR AFTER DRIVING ON ROUGHER CITY ROADS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARED AND I RESET BY PULLING OVER SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE, OPENING DOOR AND RE-INSERT KEY AND START. WAS HAPPENING ONCE A MONTH, NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE. CAN'T VIEW ANY VEHICLE INFORMATION AS IT FREEZES THE SCREEN. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHERE I AM DRIVING. WILL EVEN HAPPEN ON A REMOTE START SITTING IDLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2020
MY VEHICLE IS AT 86,500 MILES AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE HAS COME UP ON MY DASHBOARD MORE THAN ONCE NOW AND FROM WHAT I CAN FIND, THERE IS NO SOLID OR PERMANENT FIX FOR IT AT THIS TIME. I WOULD LIKE THE BE ABLE TO FIX MY CAR AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2020
MY 2016 JEEP SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED THEN THE NEXT THING I HAD NO ACCELERATION ON THE EXPRESSWAY. SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER ON THE GAS PETAL AND THE CAR WAS JUST NOT GOING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR AND COULD NOT GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF ME PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PETAL IT FINALLY WORKED. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. ON THE WAY HOME EVERY TIME I WOULD STOP THE SAME THING WOULD OCCUR, BUT THIS TIME I WOULD TURN OFF AND ON THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED TO RESET AND WORK AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP WERE THEY SAID IT WAS TCM WHICH THEY UPDATED/RESET, BUT THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE CHYSLER DOES UPDATES AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS UPDATED FOR US OR WE WILL HAVE ISSUES. WELL I HAD EVERYTHING UPDATED THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH MY VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION" LIGHT REAPPEARED. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT IS THE TCM THAT NEEDS TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 58,470 MILES, THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE UPDATES AND THAT THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE LIST TO HAVE THESE ISSUES FIXED BY CHYSLER. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN HOW MUCH TROUBLE I WOULD HAVE WITH A JEEP/CHYSLER PRODUCT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT IT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER. ALL LIGHTS COME ON. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF SO CAR DOESN'T LOCK UP
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON WITH ALL THE GEAR LIGHTS LIT UP TOO. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN LIGHTS FIRST CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID THAT THE SHIFTER BOX AND WIRES NEED REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. SAYS CHEROKEE ARE KNOWN FOR THIS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 49700 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2020
THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMMING ON HAD IT IN THE SHOP TWICE AND THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I DO NOT TRUST THE CAR TO TAKE A TRIP IN AND THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. IT STARTED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT AND IT STILL IS DOING IT