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, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 19, 2023
While driving the service shifter warning has come on. The car will drive like it is not in the correct gear, and all the gear shift lights come on. It does not want to accelerate. If the warning comes on when starting up, the Jeep will not allow me to shift from park. It has to be shut off and restarted after waiting a few minutes. The auto stop-start no longer works. (It’s the feature that helps to cut emissions that usually engages when at a signal light.). While researching, I found out that Mopar has recalled some Cherokee models, but not mine.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The contact stated that a message stating that the 4-wheel drive function had failed. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 20V699000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however their VIN was not included. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer as of yet. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000
Steering, Engine, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact had heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle had started overheating. The vehicle was hesitant to accelerate and the steering had become firm. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty shifter vessel and ECU jumper harness. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,808.
Power train, Wheels, Engine, Oct 4, 2023
In the first incident, the engine stalled. Next incident, warning lights on the dash appeared (engine light, traction light, and throttle control) and when pressing on the gas peddle, the car would not respond (would not increase speed). I had to put on flashers to a warn car behind me. Very scary. Bringing in for service ASAP.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Oct 4, 2023
Shifter alarm and need to stop the car to reset. Terrible on the highway engine will shut down. Temperature overheating stopped car working.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 21, 2023
The Service Shifter light came on and keeps coming on sporadically. I was dismayed to learn that there are numerous complaints regarding the Service Shifter light on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. Has this ever been formally addressed.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 7, 2023
I did have an incident in July of 2022, my car would not get out of park. I was in a drive through and put my car in park. When I went to put my car in drive. The vehicle completely shut off and began to roll backwards. The next set of issues, I first noticed the issues in the beginning of 2023. The service 4wd light is on and the parking brake will not engage. The 4wd itself works just fine, each terrain mode will engage. So Ilderton Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (High Point, NC), looked at my vehicle and said the PTU was bad and needs to be replaced. This passed weekend, I was driving entering a highway via acceleration lane and my car had trouble switching speed limits. Which leads me to believe the necessary power was not able to perform. This is detrimental to the safety of myself and others. Should my car's brakes fail or car lose power; it could seriously injure myself, innocent people in the vicinity of my car, or mechanics working on my car, etc. I work at a Pediatric office and would hate for the brakes to fail at work. Chrysler has already recalled 96,000 Jeep Cherokees for the exact same issue. Due to this, the PTU is back ordered and cannot be located anywhere in the US.
Engine, May 2, 2023
The car sometimes jumps, propels forward, possibly transmission related issue, and just happens randomly.
Engine, Feb 16, 2023
Just bought this jeep used in Nov 2022 a week ago it kept stalling just shutting down on me I could be a stop sign or just driving this is very dangerous someone could run into me. Took it to mechanic was told it was 3quarts low in oil but the oil light doesn’t come on or anything and I’ve only had the car 3 months so they would have checked oil since they do a multi point inspection
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the transmission shifter. Later while driving, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 27, 2023
W84 Powertrain Software- July 30 2022 Jerry Seiner Casa Grande Dealership technicians inspected and reprogram the PCM and TCM software and closed the recall but 2 months later all the lights on my dashboard came on check engine light service shifter park brake etc. I went back to the dealership and the advisor told me to go to the dealership where I bought it from. I ended up going to Larry Miller Chrysler Jeep Avondale in Arizona. The vehicle was braking on its own while driving high speeds on the highway and while driving I almost crashed. My vehicle was in and out of the dealership many times and the technicians didnt seem to know what was wrong with the vehicle. Almost 6 months after the initial problem it seems its fixed. 01/13/2023 was the last time I had to return because the dashboard lights were turning on after driving the vehicle an estimate of 100 miles.
Engine, Dec 31, 2022
Leaking a lot of oil to the point I had to refill every week.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 8, 2022
When driving my jeep the dashboard will randomly give me a warning to service my shifter and all of the lights on shifter will go red. I have to turn my jeep off and back on for the lights to go back to normal. I have had to replace the power transfer unit due to the 4 wheel drive not working anymore. I took my car into the dealership to the PCM W84 Recall and two weeks later my transmission fluid exploded and the engine was smoking. Had to replace the heat ignition coil and the inlet hose. Paid $2,000 to repair and a week later my check engine light came on and now my car is overheating. Took it to the dealer and they added coolant and said it was an air bubble in the coolant. A couple of days later the issue happened again, took it in two more times and they filled the coolant, but now saying that the cylinder head gasket needs to be replaced which is another $1,700.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 20, 2022
While driving the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stops running without any warning. Engine stops. Car just coasts. PRNDL indicator (D for drive) on instrument cluster flashes instead of a constant D. Then some sort of messages comes up similar to "shift to neutral to start engine". Car will not restart. Car coasts to stop without power and no power steering. Then I need to turn ignition off. I will then cycle locks (locked then unlocked). Then turn on ignition. From here the car attempts to start but it is not an immediate start up like normal. The gauge needles (speedometer and tachometer) both go all the way to the right while the car attempts to restart but this startup takes about 10+ seconds of attempted cranking to finally restart. This is a long clicking sound before restart. This has happened 3-4 times now in the 30 days. Most recently on a main road where I had to coast without power and power steering to the shoulder. I have not yet been to the dealer. Car is out of warranty.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 7, 2022
When accelerating the vehicle has a hard shift every now and then that’s very noticeable. Seems to be slipping or having trouble shifting occasionally when trying to get up to speed.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2022
Vehicle turns on but will not start. Changed battery and spark plugs
Power train, Engine, Jul 22, 2022
UNKNOWN. When driving my Jeep there will be times where I go to accelerate and my transmission will jump. Also while I’m driving all of my gears on my shifter will turn red and a message will pop up saying service shifter. It’s been happening for a few years but the last time it happened was today 7/22/2022.
Engine, Jul 9, 2022
On numerous occasions the car engine just shuts off or loses power. This happens consistently. The car has been taken to the dealership where it was purchased and was told "could not duplicate problem". This just happened again yesterday on a main street posted at 45 mph, where engine just shut off. Making left turns has become a gamble as power response is not there. This is a dangerous situation.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 18, 2022, crash
The incident happened in a parking lot. Backing out of the parking space, there was a delivery truck parked right behind me. Backing out of my parking space, I hit the bumper of the truck (no damage to the truck). As I pulled back into my parking space the vehicle accelerated very rapidly in a distance of approx. 25 feet; the acceleration seemed "Hell cat" like. Slamming my foot on the brake did not help. The vehicle then hit a brick retaining wall deploying multiple air bags and causing enough vehicle damage that the insurance company declared it totaled. It is amazing that the vehicle hit the brick wall with enough intensity to deploy the air bags and cause considerable front end damage after traveling such a short distance (approx 25 ft). The vehicle is in the insurance company's possession. As such, I do not have access to the vehicle. Had the brick wall not been there, the vehicle could have hit other vehicles or pedestrians and I was lucky to only have minor bruises and abrasions. There was no warning what so ever that this was about to happen.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 27, 2022
The 'service shifter' code keeps showing up. The car shifts and drives fine when it happens but it concerns me because I've read where a few people have had the car accelerate by themselves when this happens.
Engine, Mar 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH across a bridge, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was assisted by a Police Officer to move the vehicle into a service station. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was driven to a dealer where the warning lights again reappeared. The vehicle received unstated repairs, but remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Engine, Mar 8, 2022
The engine consumes a large amount of oil. I regularly have to add 1qt/ 800-100 miles. The engine will just stall if the oil level gets too low without any warning. In Alaska this poses an extreme hazard, especially in the winter.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 6, 2022
The car will shut off unexpectedly while driving. This is extremely dangerous. This is the 6th time in the last 3 years that this has happened.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 8, 2022
Engine and car was not warming up with remote start. Finally check engine light comes on. Code P0128 thermostat. Repaired 1/28/2021 @ 85762 miles. All antifreeze replaced. $600+ repair. 2/1/2022 same observed failure of engine to warm up during remote starts. 2/6/2022 check engine light comes on with code P0128. Again, thermostat failure. Miles 111,000. This appears to be a repetitive symptom of cherokees 2014+ with 2.4L engines. This can cause serious engine damage.
Engine, Feb 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently stalled without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.