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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 8, 2020
ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON MY DASHBOARD AND ALL MY GEARS TURNED RED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
MY SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE HAS BEEN STAYING ON. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED GIVING THE MESSAGE IT WOULD GO OFF WHEN I CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND I WOULDN'T GET THE MESSAGE AGAIN FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS STAYING ON. I'VE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING REALLY HARD SOMETIMES BUT ONLY WHEN I GET THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2020
I HAVE HAD MY CAR ALMOST THREE YEARS, I HAVE 31,800 MILES ON IT. I'M GETTING "SERVICE SHIFTER" ERROR PERIODICALLY WHEN STARTING MY CAR. I TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT GOES OFF. IT'S HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 7 DAYS. I'VE READ A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. JEEP SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN TURNING ON MY CAR. I READ THAT SOMEONE'S MECHANIC SAID IT CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED AND IS DANGEROUS IF IT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AS YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THIS HA HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES OVER THE PAST 7 DAYS.
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2020
2017 JEEP CHEROKEE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' WARNING LIGHT APPEARED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION APPROX (50 MPH). ALL GEARS LIT UP WITH A RED LIGHT. IT STARTLED ME SO I PULLED OVER TO LOOK IT UP & SEE IF I'M IN IMMEDIATE DANGER
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2020
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR DASH WILL POP UP AND SAY 'SHIFTER SERVICE REQUIRED'. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 25, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHTER APPEARS ON DASH AND SHIFTER POSITION LIGHTS ALL LIGHT RANDOMLY AND HAS BEEN BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THEY TURN OFF ONCE I STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF, AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE READ MODELS PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT 2017 WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. ALSO I'VE HAD TO CHANGE MY SPARK PLUGS AT ABOUT EVERY 50,000 MILES. I REPLACED THEM ONCE ALREADY AND ONCE AGAIN I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND AT TIMES THE CAR IS SHAKING FROM THE MISFIRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT A TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND THE CAR IS SHAKING THE POWER AND ACCELERATION ARE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS ARE ACTIVELY MISFIRING. THIS ONLY OCCURS WITH ACCELERATING AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL AND HAPPENS CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS THIS OFTEN THEY USUALLY LAST ATLEAST 100,000 MILES. THERE IS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY BARELY LAST FOR HALF THAT AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT ATLEAST 2 TIMES BEFORE THEY SHOULD GO BAD. THESE SEEM TO BE A COMMON ISSUE BUT WHEN YOU ASK THE DEALER THEY ACT CLUELESS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THESE ARE COSTLY PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING OR OCCURRING THIS FREQUENTLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 25, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHTER APPEARS ON DASH AND SHIFTER POSITION LIGHTS ALL LIGHT RANDOMLY AND HAS BEEN BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THEY TURN OFF ONCE I STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF, AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE READ MODELS PREVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT 2017 WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. ALSO I'VE HAD TO CHANGE MY SPARK PLUGS AT ABOUT EVERY 50,000 MILES. I REPLACED THEM ONCE ALREADY AND ONCE AGAIN I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND AT TIMES THE CAR IS SHAKING FROM THE MISFIRING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT A TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AND THE CAR IS SHAKING THE POWER AND ACCELERATION ARE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS ARE ACTIVELY MISFIRING. THIS ONLY OCCURS WITH ACCELERATING AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL AND HAPPENS CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS THIS OFTEN THEY USUALLY LAST ATLEAST 100,000 MILES. THERE IS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY BARELY LAST FOR HALF THAT AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT ATLEAST 2 TIMES BEFORE THEY SHOULD GO BAD. THESE SEEM TO BE A COMMON ISSUE BUT WHEN YOU ASK THE DEALER THEY ACT CLUELESS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THESE ARE COSTLY PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING OR OCCURRING THIS FREQUENTLY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2020
BROUGHT USED CAR AT 45000 MILES. GOT SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (PE420 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS). SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT APPEAR RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING FROM 10-60 MPH, AND GOES AWAY WHEN TURNING OFF CAR. HAS RETURNED EVERY 3 DAYS FOR ONE WEEK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR ENTIRE WEEK. REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON PRESS. REVERSE CAMERA DOES NOT DISPLAY CLEAR IMAGE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 22, 2020
MY SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON FOR ALL OF THE SPACES ON MY SHIFTER. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CODES TO MY SPECIFIC CAR. ALSO, MY SPARK PLUG BURNT OUT AT 45,000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD THAT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN THAT WAY.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2020
MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE,S DASH WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SAYING SHIFTER SERVICE ' THIS HAS HAPPENED 6WEEKS AGO AND NOW AGAIN.UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE , SHUTTING IT OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE WARNING GOES AWAY . AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS JEEP IS HAVING THEIR SEEMS TO BE NO SOLUTION BUT DEALERS GUESS WORK AND LITTLE RESULTS
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 13, 2020
2017 WITH 34K ON IT AND ON A MINIMUM OF 2 HANDS I HAVE HAD THE ERROR SERVICE SHIFTER COME UP. AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF, IT WILL GO AWAY FOR NO SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN EVENTUALLY POP BACK UP EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR FIRST START UP OF THE DAY.
Electrical system, Aug 11, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEPT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS AND ALL GEARS LIT UP RED. I WAS CHARGED $375 TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT IF YOU SEARCH THE FORUMS IT IT IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE WITH A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 6, 2020
I KEEP HAVING TO DO OIL CHANGES WITHIN A 1 1/2 MONTHS WITHOUT EVEN GOING 3,000 MILES. ALSO MY CAR SHUTS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY AND THE POWER GOES OUT ON THE RADIO AND SPEEDOMETER. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN AND THEY RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND ALWAYS TELL ME THAT EVERYTHING WITH THE CAR IS FINE. THIS SHUT OFF SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. ALL THE POWER SEEMS TO GO OUT AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO AND SPEEDOMETER HAVE GONE BLACK WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I'M HAVING TO GET MORE FREQUENT OIL CHANGES.
Electrical system, Aug 3, 2020
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON JULY 27TH PAYING 28,000 DOLLARS FOR IT. I TEST DRIVE IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. TWO DAYS LATER MY 'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT CANE ON AND EVERYTHING BY MY SHIFTER WAS ILLUMINATED. TODAY (08/03/2020) IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NUMEROUS PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR JEEPS DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE UNDER 60,000 MILES ON THIS JEEP AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I CAN END UP BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS I TRAVEL A LOT. PLEASE RECALL THIS ISSUE AS MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN IT'S NOT THE CAR OWNERS FAULT.
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 27, 2020
ON A RECURRING BASIS, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH A "SERVICE SHIFTER NOW" MESSAGE AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT ARE ILLUMINATED. AFTER A RESTART, THE LIGHTS GO AWAY AND THE CAR RESUMES NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2020
THE CAR HAS A SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ARE LIT RED FOR EXAMPLE THE PARKING, REVERSE, DRIVE, NEUTRAL. THE CAR STARTED DRIVING REALLY ROUGH AND NOW THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE. BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND 1 MONTH AGO AND IT IS ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 19,000 MILES AND WHEN I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THEN THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM CHARGING SOME PEOPLE BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AS WELL AS CAUSING LEAKS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT HOME THEN WHEN TURNED ON THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS WENT OFF A COUPLE TIMES BY RESTARTING THE ENGINE BUT NOW IT ALWAYS STAYS ON AS WELL AS CAUSES A RATTLING NOISE AS WELL AS VERY ROUGH DRIVING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE AND JEEP SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I?VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND WOULD REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL SINCE THIS SEEM TO BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND IT ALSO SEEMS THAT JEEP IS BOTH CARING THAT MUCH ABOUT IT. THEY SAY WE NEED TO CHANGE THE SHIFTER. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 25K MILES. THIS IS HAPPENING VERY OFTEN NOW. AND TO HAVE THE CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON IS NOT A SOLUTION TO ME AND MANY OTHER JEEP BUYERS. COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED AND WOULD NEVER BUY A JEEP CHEROKEE AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 23, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COMES UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER ON THE DASH, AND PRND LIGHTS UP RED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF SOMETIMES MAKES THE MESSAGE GO AWAY, OTHER TIMES IT PERSISTS. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND 11,000 MILES. HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND DEALERS CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 21, 2020
SHIFTER ERROR THEN TURNS OFF RANDOMLY. ESPECIALLY ON TURNS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 16, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES LATELY AND IT REQUIRES ME TO SHUT THE CAR DOWN COMPLETELY. ONCE RESTARTED THE CAR RUNS PERFECTLY UNTIL ABOUT ANOTHER 300 MILES OR SO AND THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. RECENTLY MY CAR WILL SHOW SERVICE SHIFTER THEN IT JUST SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'VE BEEN SEEING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND IT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE SOMETHING THEY INVESTIGATE AND RECALL IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO JUST BE DRIVING AND YOUR CAR DECIDES TO SHUT OFF. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 16, 2020
FOR OVER A MONTH NOW I'VE RECEIVED"SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE. CAR SHAKES BADLY AND LOSES POWER AS IF ITS GOING TO SHUT OFF. THREE DIFFERENT TIMES IT DID SHUT OFF AND STRUGGLED TO RE-CRANK! SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE GOES AWAY AFTER TURNING THE JEEP OFF & BACK ON. VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (OR ANYWHERE)!!! PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IS UP TO DATE ON OIL CHANGES, ETC. JEEP ALSO BURNS MORE OIL THAN IT SHOULD. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 14, 2020
SHIFTER SERVICE WARNING LIGHT HAS CAME ON AT 48,000 MILES AND GOES OFF WHEN I RESTART MY VEHICLE BUT HAS CAME BACK ON REPEATEDLY AFTERWARDS. IT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER I'M DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS AND WHEN I PUT MY JEEP IN PARK AND THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL OF THE SHIFTER LIGHTS TURN RED.
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEWER JEEP CHEROKEES. IT WAS SUGGESTED I FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT SO WE CAN GET A RECALL. PRETTY MUCH EVERY CHEROKEE HAS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 50000 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE 36,000. VEHICLE NOW HAS 75,000 AND STILL AN ISSUE. IT WILL GO MONTHS W/O COMING ON,OR IT WILL COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES I ONE DAY. HAPPENS IN COLD, HOT, WET AND DRY WEATHER. VERY RANDOM. SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART AND IT GOES AWAY, TEMPORARILY. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 5, 2020
A MESSAGE APPEARS STATING TO 'SERVICE SHIFTER SOON' AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP. THE MESSAGE IS RESET AFTER A RESTART. IT COMES BACK AT RANDOM INTERVALS: WHEN FIRST STARTING, DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, ETC. IT HAS COME ABOUT 30 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR. *TR