2017 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,334 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 24 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power trainApr 29, 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/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.
Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Campaign 25V011000 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
Equipment, other, labelsAug 31, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Campaign 17V543000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, knee bolsterNov 2, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
Campaign 16V799000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
342 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2020
HAVE OWNED MY 2017 GRANITE JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE 3.2L V6 SUV SINCE AUGUST 2017. SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR AM INSTRUCTED BY ON SCREEN MESSAGE TO RETURN TO PARK AND THEN SHIFT TO DRIVE AGAIN. ON 01/24/20, WITH 24,000 MILES, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COME UP ON MY SCREEN. IT HIGHLIGHTED ALL MY GEAR LIGHTS RED AND THE SCREEN WAS LOCKED TO SERVICE SHIFTER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, IN SEARCHING FOR THE ISSUE ONLINE FOUND THAT OVER A HUNDRED JEEP OWNERS HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. SUV RECALL T52: REPROGRAM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS RESOLVED @ ROSEVILLE JEEP 05/01/18. SEVERAL JEEP OWNERS SAID THAT THE ISSUE RECURRED EVEN AFTER THEIR SHIFTER WAS REPLACED. PLEASE ESCALATE THIS ISSUE TO A RECALL AND INVESTIGATE WHAT MUST BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE SO THAT WE ARE NOT CHARGED FOR AN ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY.
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2020
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME MY "SERVICE SHIFTER" HAS COME ON THE SCREEN AND THE PRND LIGHTS ALL TURNED RED. THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMAL AND I WAS IN A PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 15MPH. THE 1ST TIME I HAD JUST COME TO A RED LIGHT JUST AFTER LEAVING MY HOME WHICH I QUICKLY RETURNED. I HAVE READ ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTTING DOWN. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN THIS COMES ON.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN SAID SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS ON MY SHIFTER LIT UP AS WELL. LIGHT WOULD NOT GO AWAY, NO OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON, HOWEVER WHEN BROUGHT TO BE LOOKED AT, NOTHING TO BE FOUND ON DIAGNOSTICS. THE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND NOT DRIVING, HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. ALSO HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY, THE LIGHT ISN'T CONSTANTLY ON, BUT COMES ON SPORADICALLY, TURNS OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2020
I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT BEING ON. A FEW MONTHS AGO IT CAME ON AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT WENT OFF. THEN LATER IT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR IT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER JEEPS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND A TOTAL RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL THESE VEHICLES DRIVING OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORSE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS MATTER!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2020
CAR STOPPED ON ME AND KEEPS DOING IT BEFORE IT DOES IT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER I HAVE CONTACTED JEEP , I HAVE WENT TO A DEALERSHIP. BUT NO ONE HAS HELPED AND MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR YESTERDAY WHEN I LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR LOCKED AND TOLD ME SERVICE SHIFTER, I IMMEDIATELY CALL JEEP WHO TOLD ME TO GO THE DEALERSHIP NEAR WHO TOLD ME THEY COULDNT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
DRIVING TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE CAME UP AND MY PNDR+- WERE ALL RED. I WAS CLOSE BY A DEALERSHIP SO I TOOK IT SLOW AND PULLED IT RIGHT INTO THE SERVICE AREA. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR OF LOOKING AT IT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS CONSIDER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY THAT ENDED AT 36,000 MILES AND I'M AT 49,000. AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT EITHER, SO IT WOULD BE UP TO ME TO COVER THE COST AT $135.00 ONE PART, $30.00 FOR ANOTHER PART AND FOR 1.5 HOURS LABOR. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS OVER THE SAME THING YOU'D THINK THIS WOULD BE A RECALL BY NOW, WHOS TO SAY ONCE I PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED THAT IT WONT DO THIS AGAIN
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT POPS UP ON MY PANEL TO "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS LIGHT UP IN RED. THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR IT IS TO PULL OVER AND PUT JEEP IN PARK AND TURN OFF ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING ALL IS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS THE 3RD INCIDENT IN ABOUT 4 WEEKS.
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2020
THIS FIRST STARTED BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019 TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE 'SERVICE SHIFT' LIGHT CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK AIR BAGS. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND IT WAS GONE.THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED - THEN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO HAPPEND WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER THE CAR TURN OFF ON MAJOR HIGHWAY
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2020
SEVERAL TIMES NOW (7-9), MESSAGE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' APPEARS. AT SAME TIME ALL RED DOTS ALONG SIDE THE SHIFTER ILLUMINATE (RED). WHILE TO MESSAGE IS VISIBLE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IN MOST CASES ELIMINATED THE MESSAGE, RED DOTS NOT ILLUMINATE AND CRUISE CONTROL REGAINED FUNCTIONALITY. HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE MESSAGE WAS IN VIEW. THESE EVENTS ALWAYS HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MOTION, HAS NOT HAD UPON INITIAL STARTUP.
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2020
AFTER 19,000 THE DISPLAY SHOWED 'SERVICE SHIFTER'. THE DISPLAY IS LOCKED (UNABLE TO NAVIGATE TO ANY OTHER SCREEN) AND THE RED LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT ARE ILLUMINATED. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE MESSAGE AND LIGHTS DISAPPEAR ONLY TO REAPPEAR AFTER ANOTHER 100 MILES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 30, 2019
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS ON 12/28/2019 WITH 46198 MILES. SIFTER ISSUES. LIGHT CAME ON AS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 25, 2019
MESSAGE "SERVICE SHIFTER" POPS UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND A SERIES OF RED ALERT LIGHTS APPEAR NEXT TO EVERY GEAR ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER LEVER. THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AMONG 2017-2018 JEEP CHEROKEES!! THE DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM! THEY REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS, THEY REPLACE THE SHIFTERS THEMSELVES, THEY RESET THE COMPUTERS ' AND THE PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS! THE WEBSITE HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS990296 ALONE CONTAINS THE STORIES OF OVER 80 JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. IMAGINE HOW MANY JEEP OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA ARE SUFFERING WITH THIS ISSUE! JEEP REPLACED THE 2014 SHIFTERS THAT WERE RECALLED (THE ONES THAT KILLED STAR TREK ACTOR ANTON YELCHIN IN 2016) WITH THIS NEW SHIFTER - AND THIS ONE IS JUST AS BAD! THESE VEHICLES MUST BE RECALLED!!
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2019
2017 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK. SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT. NOW AT 59,000 MILES THE LIGHT HAS CAME ON AGAIN. JUST RANDOMLY USUALLY WHEN IN MOTION. IF YOU PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTART IT THE LIGHT USUALLY RESETS AND WONT COME ON FOR A FEW DAYS OR 100 MILES OR SO. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR US AND MANY OTHER JEEP/DODGE/RAM/CHRYSLER OWNERS.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2019
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE A "SERVICE SHIFTER" NOTIFICATION APPEARS ON DASH AND ALL LIGHTS BY SHIFTER ILLUMINATE, IN ORDER TO RESET YOU HAVE TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART AND THEN IT MAY OR MAY NOT DO IT NEXT TIME YOU START VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP YOU FROM SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO DESIRED GEAR HOWEVER IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. MY JEEP IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR REPAIR, THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE BEZEL AND WIRING HARNESS HAVE TO BE REPLACED PER A BULLETIN THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT BUT I HAVE TO PAY $100 FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER REPAIR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY PEOPLE AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 11, 2019
I LEFT WORK TODAY AT 4PM MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A BRIDGE AND I NOTICED I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND TWO ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND MY CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF ON ME AND I BROKE DOWN. I WAS STUCK ON A HIGH TRAFFICKING AREA ON A BRIDGE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I'VE HAD MY JEEP FOR 2 YEARS AND NEVER ONCE HAD ANY ISSUES AND NEVER ONCE FELT LIKE IT WASN'T A SAFE VEHICLE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY JEEP NOW AND WANT IT CHECKED OUT COMPLETELY BEFORE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN TO ME.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 8, 2019
THERE IS A SHIFTER ERROR THAT COMES UP ON DASHBOARD AND ALL LIGHTS COME UP ON THE SHIFTER STICK WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE OVER ONE NIGHT WHILE I DRIVING AND I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. SEE LINKS BELOW. HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2017/JEEP/CHEROKEE/SUV/4WD HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS990296 HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS947921 HTTPS://WWW.JEEPFORUM.COM/FORUM/F309/SERVICE-SHIFTER-MIL-15-DIESEL-3768705/
Electrical system, Dec 3, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING VEHICLE UP AND WHEN DRIVING. TOOK INTO DEALER REPLACED SHIFTER AND LIGHT STILL COMES ON. BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. DEALER WILL NOT PROVIDE LOANER CARS AND VEHICLE IS ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2019
TWICE WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR IN CRUISE ON THE FREEWAY THE CENTER SCREEN DISPLAYED "SERVICE SHIFTER". ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER PANEL DISPLAYED RED. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY AND THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED BOTH TIMES AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AFTER STOPPING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 2, 2019
WHEN DRIVING, AN ERROR MESSAGE POPPED UP AND SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER". ON THE GEAR SHIFT, ALL OF THE LIGHTS LIT UP RED (PARKING, NEUTRAL, 1ST, 2ND, DRIVE, AND REVERSE). I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WENT AWAY. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS. MANY OF WHICH, JEEP HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX. MOST COMPLAINTS ALSO STATED THAT IT WENT AWAY, ONLY TO COME BACK AFTER ANOTHER 1000 MILES OR SO. IF THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS, AND JEEP IS OBVIOUSLY HAVING A PROBLEM IDENTIFYING WHY, SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALL? THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A FAULT IN THEIR PRODUCT OR WIRING. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND/OR LAWSUITS. PLEASE HELP.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2019
MY GEAR SHIFT PRND LETTERS WILL RANDOMLY LIGHT UP WITH A WARNING BEING DISPLAYED SAYING SERVICE SHIFTER. THE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PARKED. THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND TURNED BACK ON BUT COMES ON RANDOMLY AGAIN PERIODICALLY.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 1, 2019
THIS VEHICLES HAD A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION- THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS STILL HAVING SLIPPING ISSUES. ALSO JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED WHEN STARTING MY VEHICLE WITH THE FOB IT STAYS ON 30 SECS AND CUTS RIGHT BACK OFF. THE TIRE FEATURE ISN'T ALWAYS CORRECT EITHER IT SAYS I NEED AIR WHEN I DON'T. I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE REMOTE START FEATURE..
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2019
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING APPEARED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE PRNDM TURNED RED. VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED TO STALL OUT AND LEAD TO A MISFIRE FROM CYLINDER 2
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 25, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE 4WD LIGHT CAME ON AND A DAY LATER THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE ISSUES IVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT THAT CONTANTLY STAYS ON.