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: power train
647 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER RANDOMLY COMES ON AND CAUSES SCREEN TO LOCK AND LIGHTS UP THE SHIFTER. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Mar 22, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AT INTERMEDIATE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND ALL THE PRND LIGHTS COME ON. SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN BACK ON AND IT'S GOOD FOR A WHILE.
Power train, Mar 19, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON AND GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ARE ALL RED,P,R,N,D
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR CAME ON
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
SHIFTER SENSOR LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON AND ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER LIGHT UP RED, WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I HAVE TO STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO PROCEED.HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR.
Power train, Mar 15, 2021
KEEP GETTING MESSAGE TO SERVICE SHIFTER AND DISPLAYS ON DASH CONTINUOUSLY ALL LIGHT ON SHIFTER LIGHT. SEEMS TO SHIFT VERY HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY DIFFERENT YEARS OF VEHICLES. STARTED LAST YEAR 2019. STILL DOING AS OF TODAY 3/15/2021
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2021
I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION STOPPED YESTERDAY AND MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES. DASHBOARD FLASHED 'CAR MUST BE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO SHIFT GEARS' AND WOULDN'T GO FORWARD, STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY TO RESET IT AND TOOK A LONG TIME TO TURN OVER. WENT OUT WITH IT AGAIN THIS MORNING AND SAME THING BUT GOING ABOUT 20MPH. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AS I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR!!!!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 12, 2021
I JUST PURCHASED MY CAR JANUARY 4, 2021. I HAVE HAD IT CUT OFF ON ME 4 TIMES. LIKE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND IT TAKES LIKE 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO ACTUALLY START BACK UP. THE SHIFT GEARS MESSAGE POPS UP, IT CUT THE TRACTION CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY OFF SO THAT LIGHT POPS UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT POPS UP. I DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPENING BUT IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCDIDENT TWICE ON 695 HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT SHUT OFF. THANK GOD THE KIDS WERE NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME. I AM READING THAT HIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH JEEPS. WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT BEFORE PURCHASING. I JUST WANT A SAFE AND RELIABLE SUV FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Mar 11, 2021
SO I GOT MY CAR IN APRIL 7, 2020. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. TO MY ENGINE STALLING OUT TO MY CAR NOT. SHIFT THAT RIGHT WAY. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN JANUARY 2021. MY ELECTRIC STUFF IN THE CAR GOES IN AND OUT ALL THE TIME. SO IT M MESS UP THE COMPUTERS THIS CAR HAS NOW HAD 4 NEW COMPUTERS PUT IN THE CAR AND I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. AND IT DOES THIS ANYWHERE ON HIGHWAY CITY STREET.
Power train, Mar 8, 2021
THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS.
Power train, Engine, Mar 7, 2021
OIL FILTER HOUSING/COOLER LEAKS AND POOLS OIL ON TOP OF ENGINE. PART NUMBER 68105583AF. OIL DRAINS DOWN EITHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. IT IS A PLASTIC PART THAT CAN EASILY FAIL DUE TO DEALER OVER LIGHTNING THE OIL FILTER WHEN PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE. LEAK STARTS IMMEDIATELY THIS CAR HAS 22,300 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2017.
Power train, Feb 25, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY DRIVELINE IN THE TRANSMISSION. BOB JOHNSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (18476 US-11, WATERTOWN, NY 13601) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 24, 2021
CAR SPEEDS UP AND JOLTS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IT ALSO LOOSES STRENGTH AND DOES NOT GO HIGHER THAN 5MPH ON THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY DID FIX THE TRANSMISSION SOME TIME AGO AND EVEN AFTER THAT IT CONTINUES TO JOLT WHEN IN PARK. WHEN DRIVING IT ALSO JOLTS FROM LOW SPEED TO HIGH SPEED
Power train, Feb 19, 2021
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FROM NEW. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR 'SERVICE SHIFTER' WAS DISPLAYED ON THE MAIN DRIVER DISPLAY, AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL LIT UP. AFTER MONTHS WAITING FOR PARTS, THE DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE SHIFTER WHICH CURED IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AROUND 2 YEARS LATER, AND AGAIN THE BEZEL WAS REPLACED. IT'S NOW HAPPENED A THIRD TIME, IN SEPT OF 2020. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS AGAIN. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS, 5 MONTHS LATER. IT SEEMS THOUSANDS OF JEEP OWNERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS SAME PROBLEM, YOU CAN SEARCH ON GOOGLE FOR 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND SEE MANY STORIES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WHICH LARGELY, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY SEEMS TO AFFECT JEEP CHEROKEES. MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN. SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A PROBLEM WITH FUSES BECOMING LOOSE, OTHERS HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A WIRING ISSUE. WHILE JEEP AND THE DEALERSHIP HAVE TOLD ME VERBALLY THE CAR IS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE, IT DOES DISABLE CERTAIN THINGS, AND I DISPUTE THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, MANUAL GEAR SHIFTING IS DISABLED WHEN 'SERVICE SHIFTER' IS DISPLAYED. THAT MEANS YOU CANNOT SELECT THE GEAR YOU WANT MANUALLY, THAT IS BENEFICIAL IN SITUATIONS LIKE GOING DOWN A HILL OR WHILE OFF-ROADING. SECONDLY, 'SERVICE SHIFTER' IS DISPLAYED PERMANENTLY ON THE DRIVER'S DISPLAY. IT CANNOT BE CLEARED FROM THE DISPLAY. THAT MEANS THAT CERTAIN FEATURES CANNOT BE ACCESSED AT ALL. THIS INCLUDES: TIRE PRESSURE COOLANT TEMPERATURE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE OIL TEMPERATURE OIL LIFE (AND ABILITY TO RESET IT AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) BATTERY VOLTAGE FUEL ECONOMY INFO TRIP INFO SCREEN SETUP (CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS)
Power train, Feb 18, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER ELK GROVE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (8575 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA 95757, (916) 525-8393) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE SHIFTER BEZEL AND THE HARNESS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Power train, Feb 15, 2021
I HAVE A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON. WHEN IT COMES ON ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER GLOW RED. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON EVEN IF I'M SITTING THERE IN PARK. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I LITERALLY HAD TO BRING IT IN WHILE IT WAS ON BUT THEY STILL COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I HAD THE SHIFTER AND BEZEL WIRING REPLACED. HOPEFULLY THIS SOLVES THE ISSUE.
Power train, Engine, Feb 6, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT'S JUMPING AT LOW SPEEDS.
Power train, Feb 6, 2021
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYS. THIS CAUSES THE USE OF THE SPORT MODE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. IT ALSO PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM VIEWING ALL DISPLAY FEATURES, LOW GAS, OIL/TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE, ETC., AND PREVENTS SHIFTING THE JEEP TO SNOW MODE. WHEN IT COMES ON, ALL OF THE RED LIGHTS NEXT TO MY SHIFTER COME ON (P, R, D, ETC). THE LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERY TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ALL SPEED, CITY, HIGHWAY, DRIVING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IN SNOW MODE, AND USE OF THE MANUAL SPORT MODE. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM JEEP OWNERS ON VARIOUS FORUMS AND THE AUTOMAKER REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE ARE OTHER MORE EXTREME AND DANGEROUS CAUSES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER JEEP OWNERS, SUCH AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENABLING WHILE DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN A SPECIFIC GEAR.
Power train, Feb 4, 2021
VEHICLE HAD DISPLAYED "SERVICE SHIFTER" NOTICE ON DASH TWICE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO FIX. WORRIED THAT GEAR SHIFT MIGHT MALFUNCTION WHILE IN THE ROAD. ALSO, TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF ACCELERATOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO 3 DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
Power train, Feb 1, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAD MY "SERVICE MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT" CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE PTU (POWER TRANSFER UNIT). I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ENGINE COIL IN THIS CAR AND I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THEN I AM AWARE OF. SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL ALSO TELL ME I HAVE A FLAT TIRE AND THEN A MINUTE LATER THE SENSOR WILL SHOW THAT THE TIRE IS OKAY.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 29, 2021
ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL LIGHT UP & SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHT ON SCREEN APPEARS. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY & SO FAR HAS RESET WHEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF& RESTARTED. DEALER SAYS PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER & I NEED TO PAY $200 DEDUCTIBLE BECAUSE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES SINCE 2014. SHOULD BE ON RECALL & FIXED. MANY OWNERS REPORT CONDITION OFTEN REAPPEARS. VEHICLE COULD LOCK UP TRANSMISSION OR BRAKE NOT SET PROPERLY. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 28, 2021
THE CAR STALLS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED AT AND SAYS ' SHIFT TO PARK' AND THEN DIES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT ALSO WILL DO THE SAME THING IF THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL BECAUSE THE ENGINE BURNS OIL..THIS IS A DESIGN OF THE CAR BUT DOES NOT NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF THE OIL BEING LOW. IT'S MANUAL SAY THE CAR SHOULD CHANGE OIL EVERY 5000 MILES BUT THE TECHNICIANS FOR THIS BRAND SAY YOU SHOULD DO IT MORE OFTEN. AGAIN NO WARNING JUST DIES. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BOTH TWO THE DEALER WORKING ON MY CAR AND JEEP CORPORATE.
Power train, Jan 22, 2021
MY 2017 JEEP CURRENTLY HAS JUST OVER 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE JUST STARTED RECEIVING A MESSAGE ON MY DASH THAT SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER". WHEN IT COMES ON, ALL OF THE RED LIGHTS NEXT TO MY SHIFTER COME ON (P, R, D, ETC). THE LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERY TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING. I CONTACTED A FEW GARAGES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS OR KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 15, 2021
I BOUGHT A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED 10/31/2020. AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS MY CAR HAS STARTED AND I DRIVE ABOUT 1000 FEET AND MY CAR DIES. FLASHES RETURN TO PARK AND IT SHUTS OFF. MY CAR WILL START BACK AFTER ROLLING OVER A FEW TIMES. THIS IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IF I PULL OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE AND MY CAR DIES I'M GOING TO HAVE A WREAK. I READ MULTIPLE OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AT HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/JEEP/CHEROKEE/ENGINE-SHUT-OFF-WITHOUT-WARNING-PROBLEMS.PHP I REALLY HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN GET SOLVED AND BECOME RECALLED.
Power train, Jan 11, 2021
WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET IT TO GO BACK TO DRIVE.