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: engine
263 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Apr 22, 2018
SEVERE ISSUES WITH JEEP UNEXPECTEDLY SHAKING WHILE IDLE, AND WORSE DURING ACCELERATION AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME. ALSO ISSUES WITH SHIFTING. NO ENGINE LIGHTS OR ETC ON...TEMP, BATTERY, OIL ALL IN NORMAL RANGE. CURRENTLY UNRESOLVED. PURCHASED NEW, FIRST OWNER
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (KOONS TYSONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 2050 CHAIN BRIDGE RD, VIENNA, VA 22182, VA 22031, (703) 790-0900) WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Engine, Mar 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL; THE CAR KEEP SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING EVERY 2 OR 3 MILES , THIS HAPPENED 2 TIMES ON A HIGHWAY AND 2 TIMES WHILE TURNING, THIS IS PUT MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY LIFE AT RISK , AS IT IS UNSAFE THAT THE CAR STOPED AND SHUTOFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADS , MANUFACTURE REFUSED TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANTED TO USE US AS A TEST MICE, BY ASKING ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 500 MILES TO TEST THE OIL BURN LEVEL IN THE CARWITHOUT CARING ABOUT MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY. PUTTING US IN A DIRECT RISK . OFCOURSE I REFUSED TO DO THIS AS IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE , THE CAR NEEDS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CHANGE , BUT THE JEEP COMPANY DOESN'T WANT TO APPROVE IT , AS THE COST OF REPAIRS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CUSTOMER LIFE, THE CAR USED ONLY FOR 4 MONTH 5000 MILES AND UNDER WARRANTY .
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2018
BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE INTO TRAFFIC LANE. TRANSMISSION WOULD SHOW SHIFT TO D, BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE DRIVE TRAIN. HAD TO DISCONNECT BOTH BATTERY CABLES TO CLEAR ELECTRONICS. AFTER RECONNECTING BATTERY CABLES, VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE DRIVE TRAIN FOR "D", BUST CAR RUNNING/SHIFTING ROUGH, ENGINE DYING AND SVC ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 24, 2018
MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE HAS 20,000 MILES AND HAS STOPPED RUNNING THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS INVESTIGATING. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT PLEASE HELP
Power train, Engine, Jan 24, 2018
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISE 2 WEEKS AFTER BOUGHT IT! IT MAKES A WHINY GRINDING NOISE. I WOULD BACK OUT AND WHEN I STRAIGHTEN WHEEL TO GO FORWARD, THERE IT IS! AT FIRST, THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE A DAY THEN IT WAS DOING IT CONSTANTLY. IT EVEN OCCASIONALLY WHINES WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. MY OTHER ISSUE IS CHIRPING IN MOTOR. AT MY FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, I INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS NOISES. I WAS TOLD THAT CHIRPING "WAS A PULLEY AND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN ANNOYING ISSUE AND NO SAFETY ISSUE AND SINCE IT WAS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND I LIVED SO FAR AWAY I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP CLOSER TO MY HOME". I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD NOISES WERE FROM EXCESSIVE ROAD SALT. I LAUGHED AND TOLD ADVISOR THAT I KNOW HE GOES BY WHAT HIS TECH TELLS HIM BUT WE LIVE IN NC AND THERE WAS NO SALT IN JULY. I DIDN'T CARE WHAT CAUSED IT, I JUST WANTED IT FIXED. ALL SEEMED WELL UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT ALL STARTED AGAIN! BACK TO SHOP ONCE AGAIN...... AFTER COUPLE OF DAYS, DEALERSHIP CALLED WITH SOME NEWS. THEY DECIDED MY JEEP WITH 9000 MILES NEEDS A TRANSMISSION. FAST FORWARD A WEEK AND HALF, NO NEWS. NO WORD FROM DEALERSHIP, HAD TO CALL TO GET UPDATE AND LOOKS LIKE ALMOST ANOTHER WEEK BEFORE I MIGHT GET HER BACK. NOT A HAPPY JEEP OWNER *TR
Engine, Dec 27, 2017
ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE ENGINE STARTED RACING WHILE I WAS BRAKING. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCASION, I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR FOR A WOMAN IN A CROSSWALK WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED RACING EVEN THOUGH I WAS BRAKING. THIS LASTED SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL IDLING. I WAS IN A MALL PARKING LOT
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 21, 2017
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE STOPPED ON A STEEP INCLINE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THIS CAUSED ME TO ROLE BACKWARDS THEN WHEN THE ENGINE ENGAGED, IT LOUNGED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE SITUATION FOR A LACK OF HILLS THEREFORE NOTHING WAS DONE. THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR SOMEONE NOT EXPECTING THE SITUATION TO HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 14, 2017
MY JEEP STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON.. WHEN THE JEEP IS RUNNING IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO TURN OFF ... WELL IT HAS TWICE NOW ... THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPEN TWICE NOW FIRST TIME BACK ON 10/27/17.. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS FIXED NOW AGAIN 11/13/17.. ITE HAS 51000 MILES ... THE SERVICE GUYS JAMES GARDINER IS TELLING ME IT NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE
Engine, Oct 9, 2017
THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES ILLUMINATE A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, OTHER TIMES I HEAR DINGING, LIKE IF A SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED, BUT SEAT BELTS ARE ON. THE CAR WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING, AND SAYS "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL. PRESS BRAKE + SELECT GEAR". THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND CAN OCCUR WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN, WHEN ACCELERATING, OR WHEN BRAKING. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, ON SURFACE STREETS, AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Engine, May 9, 2017
I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING "4WD UNAVAILABLE". I THEN HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND LOST POWER TO ALL THE WHEELS. AFTER PULLING OVER, I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND A CLUNKING SOUND PERSISTED. WHEN GIVING THE VEHICLE GAS, THE ENGINE REV'D BUT NO POWER WENT TO THE WHEELS. I THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP.
Electrical system, Engine, May 3, 2017
NEW 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE HAS COMPLETELY AND RANDOMLY SHUT OFF/SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE MODE! VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD. FIRST INSTANCE: APRIL 27, 2017. DAUGHTER DRIVING. GOING UP A HILL ON CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. VEHICLE JUST DIED. ALMOST REAR-ENDED. PULLED OVER. PUT IT IN PARK. VEHICLE RESTARTED. SECOND INSTANCE: APRIL 28, 2017. OWNER DRIVING. ON INTERSTATE 376 GOING 65MPH. VEHICLE JUST DIED. PULLED OVER. PUT IT IN PARK. VEHICLE RESTARTED. THIRD INSTANCE: APRIL 29, 2017. OWNER DRIVING. STATE ROAD GOING 40MPH. VEHICLE JUST DIED. NOTICED A "DING" SOUND JUST BEFORE IT DIED. ALMOST REAR-ENDED. PULLED OVER. PUT IT IN PARK. VEHICLE RESTARTED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER - PRESTON MOTORS IN NEW CASTLE, PA. EXPLAINED SITUATION. TOLD THEM "WE COULD HAVE DIED!" THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW OF NO SIMILAR ISSUES OR REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. I PRESENTED THEM WITH PRINTOUTS OF THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 2016 MODELS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. DEALER IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING AND GUESSES (DOES NOT KNOW) IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER BUTTON (NOT THE STOP/START BUTTON). THEY ARE REPLACING IT AND WILL TEST DRIVE IT BEFORE GIVING IT BACK TO US.
Engine, Dec 19, 2016
STOP/START FEATURE DANGER: I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, PULLING OUT FROM A DRIVEWAY IN HEAVY CROSS TRAFFIC. I WAS PULLING ONTO A FOUR LANE ROAD. JUST AS I STARTED TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE STOP/START FEATURE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THERE WAS A FULL TWO SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED. THE CROSS TRAFFIC HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE THE RE-START DELAY IS SMALL, BUT BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS SHUTTING OFF AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THIS ADDED A SIGNIFICANT DELAY BEFORE THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS ONLY AN ISSUE IF THE ENGINE HAPPENS TO SHUT OFF RIGHT AT THE MOMENT YOU INTEND TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC.