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), Jul 5, 2019
VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY SAY 'SERVICE SHIFTER' THEN ALL THE LIGHTS ON GEAR SHIFT WILL LIGHT UP.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 26, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP AND ALL LIGHTS ON GEARS TURN RED AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL JEEP. IT HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING GEAR, PARKING, DRIVING. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 25, 2019
SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE PRND LIGHTS
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 20, 2019
MESSAGE ON DASH CAME UP SAYING SERVICE SHIFTER. ALL LIGHTS ON AROUND THE SHIFT STICK. CALLED DEALER N THEY SAY IT'S A 'COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEPS' AND I NEED A SHIFTER MODULE N WIRING. I LOOKED IT UP ON INTERNET N THERE ARE MANY GROUPS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. SOME SAY THEIR AUTO DIED WHILE DRIVING OR GEARS WON'T SHIFT RIGHT. WHY NO RECALL?? APPARENTLY IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR FEW YEARS. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM! I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN WARNING COMES ON THE MPH N STUFF DOESN'T SHOW ON DASH N LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON GEAR. VERY DISTRACTING!
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 16, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON ONE EVENING AND WENT OFF UPON SHUTTING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTARTING IT. THE NEXT DAY WOTH NO WARNING I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY THREE KIDS. SUDDENLY DASH FLASHED 4X4, TRACTION CONTROL, ERS, AUTO STOP ALL UNAVAILABLE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I WAS IN THE FAST LANE DOING 70 MPH AND HAD NO POWER WHAT SO EVER. THE RPMS WENT UP AND I HAD NO ACCELERATION WITH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE BUT NOT WITHOUT CAUSING A RIFT IN TRAFFIC, THANKFULLY OTHER DRIVERS WERE ALERT AROUND ME AND LET ME OVER ONCE I HIT MY FLASHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING AS IF IT WAS STUCK BETWEEN GEARS. OT WOULD ENGAGE IN R, N AND P BUT NOTHING WHEN I PUT IT IN D. CALLED A ROLLBACK AND PER DEALERSHIP EVERY CODE THAT COULD THROW HAS THROWN AND AT MY EXPENSE WE ARE STARTING WITH ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF $900 PARTS AND LABOR. 5 DAYS TO GET PARTS IN! PER SERVICE MANAGER, SERVICE WRITER AND THE MECHANIC WORKING ON MY CAR THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH CHEROKEES & BETTER YET JEEP IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DOESN'T FIND A NEED FOR A RECALL.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 9, 2019
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY JEEP SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP. MY CAR DISPLAY FLASHED THE BATTERY SYMBOL AS WELL AS THE OIL LIFE SYMBOL (OIL LIFE WAS AT 55% ACCORDING TO VEHICLE DISPLAY). IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE MY JEEP WOULD START AGAIN. I AM UNSURE IF THE EXACT CAUSE BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT THE ENGINE, HOWEVER IT PUT ME IN A SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE EASILY COST ME MY LIFE.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 5, 2019
"SHIFTER SERVICE" LIGHT THAT APPEARED ON MY DASH AND THE PRND LIGHTS ALL TURNING RED WHILE IN MOTION. PULLED OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART LIGHTS WENT OUT. I GOOGLED ON INTERNET IS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. CAR HAS ONLY 50K MILES ON IT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 5, 2019
GEAR SHIFT LIGHT IS COMING ON FOR SHIFTER!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR CAME ON WITH ALL LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTING IN RED. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THINGS RETURNED TO NORMAL BUT WILL PROBABLY OCCUR AGAIN BASED ON OTHER INTERNET COMMENTS ABOUT THIS JEEP PROBLEM WITH THEIR WIRING HARNESS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 13, 2019
AT 38,000 MILES ON OUR NEW JEEP, THE SPARK PLUGS ARE GROUNDING OUT FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON AND BURNING A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL PACKS BOOT. CAUSING THE PLUG AND COIL PACKS TO BURN UP. I'M BEING TOLD IT'S A MANUFACTURES PART DEFECT THAT JEEP HASN'T RECOGNIZED YET. IT'S HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES AND JEEP WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST COST MY WIFE AND KIDS THEIR LIFE, DUE TO GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE JEEP STARTS TO MISFIRE!!!!
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 9, 2019
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN A 2 WEEK PERIOD. WHILE DRIVING ON SERVICE STREETS A PINGING NOISES GOES OFF..THE BATTERY LIGHT A LIGHTENING BOLT AND SHIFT INTO DRIVE APPEARS AND LASTS A FEW SECONDS. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF! THE RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY. I CANNOT SHIFT INTO PARK. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE IGNITION IT MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE..AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT IT USUALLY WILL RESTART. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY CAR!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 18, 2019
IT BEGAN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON EVEN AFTER OIL CHANGES, THEN WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE IGNITION KEY IT WOULD MAKE A TAP TAP SOUND AS THOUGH IT DIDNT HAVE ANY POWER, OR WHILE I WOULD BE AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE AT A LIGHT IT WOULD SOUND AS THOUGH THE JEEP WAS LOSING POWER AND WAS GOING TO TURN OFF, THEN IT DID TURN OFF ON ME WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED BY A FRIEND HE SAID IT WAS READING THAT IT HAS POWER AND THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD ALSO, THEN FINALLY IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT WT WORK, IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP ME SO I TOOK A CHANCE AND ASKED A STRANGER TO PLEASE CHECK MY CAR, HE GAVE ME A BOOST, IT TOOK 2 MIN TO GET MY JEEP GOING AGAIN..THIS MORNING AT 4:30 AM I WASNT ABLE TO GO TO WORK MY JEEP WOULDN'T TURN ON..SO MY NEIGHBOR TOOK MY TO AUTO PARTS TO BUY A NEW BATTERY, MY JEEP IS 2 YEARS OLD..I'M A SINGLE 52 YEAR OLD FEMALE,I CANT AFFORD TO BE STRANDED OR UNABLE TO GET TO WORK.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 7, 2019
JUST BOUGHT A USED 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK 36867 MILES AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT HAS COME UP ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL LIGHTS NEXT TO PRND TURNED RED. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED TURNED OFF ENGINE, PUT IN PARK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING. TURNED ENGINE ON/OFF TWICE THEN GOT IT INTO PARK THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. MADE IT HOME AND VEHICLE STILL HAS ALL LIGHTS NEXT TO PRND ON AND SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE REMAINS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 26, 2018
VEHICLE HAS JUST SHUT OFF APPROX 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. SOMETIMES ITS 'DINGS' WHILE DRIVING NORMAL AND DOES NOT STALL BUT MOST OF THE TIME ITS STALLS AS DRIVING. EITHER IVE JUST PULLED OUT ONTO A ROAD OR MADE A TURN. THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF AND SAYS TO PUT IN CORRECT GEAR. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER AND RESTART FOR APPROX 10 MINUTES. VERY VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 29, 2018
PRIOR REPORT#[XXX] 5/26/18 5:54P XM STOPPED WORKING AND WOULDN'T WORK THE REST OF THE DAY. 5/28/18 4:24P TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED DRIVING ON FLAT DRY ROAD 5/29/18 8:21A 5371 MILES STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON FLAT ROAD, TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED 5/29/18 8:36A 5374 MILES STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON FLAT ROAD, TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED 5/29/18 8:46A 5375 MILES STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON FLAT ROAD. ACCELERATING STRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, CAR JUMPED AND SLIPPED FROM GEAR. FLASHING "D", DISPLAY ALTERNATING MESSAGE "TO SHIFT VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED" AND "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL PRESS BRAKE + SELECT GEAR". TURNED FLASHERS ON, STOPPED ROLLING CAR, SHIFTED TO PARK, WAITED A FEW SECONDS, SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE. CAR RESPONDED AND DROVE THROUGH INTERSECTION. APPROX. TWENTY FEET LATER TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED AGAIN. VIDEO IS 33.7MB. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 23, 2018
MULTIPLE SPORADIC FLASHING LOSS OF TRACTION LIGHT ON DRY ROADS AND ROLLING STARTS. 5/10/18 4872M VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET 35MPH "SERVICE PARKING BRAKE" FLASHED ON DISPLAY 5/12/18 5004M MAKING LEFT TURN FROM STOP ON YIELD GREEN VERY SLIGHT DECLINE, CITY STREET, DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL TO MAKE TURN, CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR FLASHING TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE. CAR ROLLED INTO INTERSECTION. I FLIPPED OVER TO TIPTRONIC W/O RESPONSE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND BACK W/O RESPONSE, KIDS IN BACKSEAT WHILE CAR IS STALLED PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TURNED HAZARDS ON, SHIFTED TO PARK AND BACK, NO RESPONSE, ROLLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AT THIS POINT. PUT CAR BACK IN PARK, COUNTED TO FIVE, SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE, AND CAR RESPONDED. 5/12/18 5084M FIANC DRIVING, CITY STREET 45MPH. MAKING LEFT TURN ACROSS 3 ONCOMING LANES FROM STOP, CAR AGAIN SLIPPED FROM GEAR AND FLASHED MESSAGE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE. FIANC SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE W/O RESPONSE. I TURNED ON HAZARDS, HE SHIFTS CAR INTO PARK AND COUNTED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE PUTTING IT PARK IN DRIVE AND PULLING OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP CLOSED. 5/14/18 DROPPED CAR OFF AT JEEP 5/22/18 VM FROM JEEP, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS 5/23/18 JEEP CALLED, COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, FILED A REPORT W/CHRYSLER, TESTED GROUNDING, AND CONCLUDED IT WAS A "FLUKE IN THE SYSTEM". ASKED ME TO PICK UP THE CAR DESPITE NOT MAKING REPAIR. "IF YOU HAVE ISSUES BRING IT BACK".
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 10, 2018
I BROUGHT THIS JEEP ON 2 22 2018. ON MARCH 1 IT WAS PULL IN, IT WOULD NOT START, I PICK IT UP ON MARCH 3, AND DROVE IT ABOUT 1 MILE AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN IT WAS PULL IN AGAIN ON THE 3RD. I CALL ON THE 7TH THEY WAS STILL WORKING ON IT AND TODAY IS THE 10TH. I NEED A CAR THAT WILL NOT LIVE IN THE SHOP. I HAVE TALK TO THE PEOPLE AT ALBEMARLE JEEP UNTIL I WAS TRIED. CAN YOU HELP THEIR NUMBER IS [XXX]. MINE NUMBER IS [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX]. ALSO I GOT A BILL FOR THE VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX THAT THE NC SAID THAT I OWN ON THE REGISTRATION. IT WAS TO BE PAID IN FULL. WHAT IS GOING ON. PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR