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: electronic stability control (esc)
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 3, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER AT 40000 MILES AND NOW AT 54000 MILES JEEP IS SPUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATING AND JEEP WILL NOT START. BATTER AND ALTERNATOR ARE GOOD.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN D RTHE HIGHWAY MY JEEP SHUT OFF MID MOTION, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. WE COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD I CRANKED IT 5-6 TIMES THEN IT STARTED . WHEN MY CHEROKEE STOPED THE DASH READ SHIFT TO PARK THEN SELECT A GEAR. THE NEXT TIME IT DIED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I WAS RUNNING 55 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE CAR DIED. THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT FROM SAID THEY FOUND NO ISSUE THIS IS AN ISSUE IT IS GOING TO GET ME OR MY KIDS HURT. I HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL SHUT DOWN. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT COME ON IS THE SHIFT INTO PARK PRESS BRAKE SELECT GEAR. IT IS TERRIFYING I USE THIS JEEP CHEROKEE TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 8, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP A WARNING POPPED ON THE DASH STATING TO SERVICE SHIFTER. MY CAR DECIDED TO HAVE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND DASH SHOWED CAR WAS IN PARK WHILE THE SHIFTER CLEARLY SHOWED IT WAS IN DRIVE. THANK GOD I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 15MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS WE HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE. MY 5 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. WE OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT!
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 5, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL SHIFT GEARS (PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE,DRIVE ) LIGHT UP IN RED AFTER DRIVING ON MOUNTAIN ROAD. PULLED TO SIDE AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESET LIGHT BUT CAME ON AGAIN 20 MIN LATER . APPARENTLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH JEEPS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 2, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING APPEARS AND ALL RED LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE SHIFTER. TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AND MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
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
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, SERVICE SHIFTER WILL DISPLAY ON DASH AND ALL LIGHTS AT SHIFTER WILL LIGHT UP. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON GETS RID OF THE MESSAGE FOR A WHILE, BUT IT COMES BACK ON AFTER A FEW MILES---MOST OF THE TIME. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A COUPLE DIFFERENT DEALERS AND GOT DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND SOMETIMES A MILE DOWN THE ROAD, AND SOMETIMES AFTER 300 MILES, BUT IT COMES ON A LOT AND IT IS WORRYING ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE ISSUE AND JEEP HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT YET. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 6, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN I AM DRIVING- THIS LIGHTS UP ALL SHIFTER GEARS. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH JEEP CHEROKEE'S AND THE ISSUE IS THE SHIFTER BEZEL AND WIRING HARNESS. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 28, 2020
WAS DRIVING AND IN MOTION WHEN I HEARD A DING AND THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" ALERT CAME ON, AND ALL OF THE GEARS HAD THE RED LIGHT ON. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 9 MONTHS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BEFORE. IT IS NOT DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE OR ANY OTHER MAINTENANCE SERVICE. IT IS AT 47,000 MILES AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER AND SHIFTER HARNESS. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH JEEP THAT THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE, AND IT HAPPENS "FREQUENTLY." PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AS THIS IS NOT FAIR TO OWNERS WHO ARE NOW AT RISK WHEN TRAVELING.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 17, 2020
*SERVICE SHIFTER* *IN MOTION* *STALLED* THE FOLLOWING IS THE SAME ISSUE I HAD WITH MY 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE. I HAD TRADED THAT VEHICLE IN FOR A NEWER 2017 MODEL BECAUSE OF THIS... I HAVE A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SAY "SERVICE SHIFTER, PLACE CAR IN P OR N" - I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE AND HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. WHEN I TRY TO RESTART, THE ENGINE HAS A TOUGH TIME KICKING BACK ON.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS RECURRENCE AND MUST BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I HAVE MADE. THE FIRST REPORT WAS WITH MY 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 2, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE AND I RECEIVE AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID SERVICE SHIFTER AND THE LIGHTS ON PRND WERE LIGHT UP AND NOT BLINKING. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT SHUT DOWN. I WAS ACTUALLY ON A CITY STREET TWICE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I ALSO RECEIVE ANOTHER ALERT TELLING ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINS BEFORE I STARTED MY CAR UP AND PRESS THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME TO GET THE JEEP TO START.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 26, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SHIFTER WARNING WOULD COME ON. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD COME ON IN RED AND I WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF TO GET THEM TO RESET. THIS IS ON MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. ADDITIONALLY, SEVERAL ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 10, 2020
THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY WHILE DRIVING. I WILL BE DRIVING (NO CERTAIN SPEED) BUT I WILL HEAR A "DING" & I LOOK AT MY SCREEN & IT SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL MY LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON MY GEAR SHIFTER. MY JEEP TENDS TO HAVE HARD SHIFTING ONCE THIS OCCURS. I THEN HAVE TO STOP, TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. (THE PICTURES I'M ATTACHING ARE FROM LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE)
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 4, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CHEROKEE AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN.
Suspension, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 13, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SINCE MY PURCHASE DATE ISSUES WITH THE SUNROOF WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO PERSIST, AS WELL AS A STRUT, HUB, STRUT ASSEMBLY, ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AND ALSO NOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS ARISING AND NOW I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SERVICE ALL BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS ON AND LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND ALSO A 4WD SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE LIGHT ON AFTER TAKING IT IN TO GET FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP FIXES ONE PROBLEM AND MORE KEEP ARISING! THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN WHEN I TURNED IT BACK IN THAT'S WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THEN THE SUNROOF AND POPPING SOUNDS WERE HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS WHEN I AM DRIVING IT IS SHIFTING WAY TO OFTEN AND SHIFTING VERY WONKY. THEN ALSO WHEN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR IT DOESN'T ENGAGE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES IT LITTERALLY COULD THROUGH YOU FORWARD IN YOUR SEAT WHEN IT FINALLY ENGAGES.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER THE CAR TURN OFF ON MAJOR HIGHWAY
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.
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2019
CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. BRAKES AND GAS WON'T WORK. POWER STEERING FUNCTION IS LOST. ERROR MESSAGE ON DASH READS SERVICE TRANSMISSION RESTART IN PARK WITH VEHICLE AT ZERO SPEED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 16, 2019
BEZEL AND SHIFTER HARNESS MALFUNCTION WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. DEALER ORDERED PARTS. $456. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 19, 2019
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW FORM THE DEALER (FARRISH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM AT 9610 FAIRFAX BLVD. VA 22031 AND IT ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES AND STOPS RUNNING, AND I HAVE TO DROP IT OFF TO THEIR SHOP AND IT TAKES FEW DAYS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSE ME SOME PROBLEMS TO STRUGGLE WITH MY WORK SCHEDULE AND MY SON SCHOOL AND OTHER FAMILY SCHEDULES. SO I NEED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AS I AM A SINGLE MOM AND I NEED TO NOT STRUGGLE MUCH WITH A NEW VEHICLE.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR I HAD THE BRAKE ,ABS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UP. I WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE IT AFTERWARDS. I HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE AND WAIT A BIT THEN TURN IT ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES.I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS.MY VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE IT HAD 25,000. THD DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED ME MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND UNABLE TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY OUT OF POCKET.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 9, 2019
THE SERVICE SHIFT LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES ON MY CAR. JUST BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN UPDATE AT THE JEEP DEALERSHIP, AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. CAR RUNS FINE ONCE IT IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. HOWEVER, PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.