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, Oct 11, 2019
VERY FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT WILL COME ON AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE PRNDL WILL BE SOLID RED, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK ETC. THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DRIVE CONTROL SCREEN AND IS UNABLE TO BE CLEARED. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY LURCHING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHEN THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT IS ON. AT FIRST THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT WOULD ONLY COME ON OCCASIONALLY, MAYBE EVERY MONTH OR SO, BUT NOW IT COMES ONLY 80% OF THE TIME I DRIVE IT. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM WHEN IT WILL APPEAR, IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AFTER 2 HOURS OF DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHILE MAKING MY 5 MINUTE COMMUTE TO WORK, SOMETIMES IT APPEARS AS SOON AS I TURN ON MY CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE MESSAGE IS TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, AND THIS IS NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE.
Power train, Oct 10, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. IT IS RANDOM AND SEEMS TO BE STARTING TO HAPPEN DAILY. IT CAN HAPPEN WHEN IN MOTION AND HAS HAPPENED ALSO WHEN I JUST STARTED THE VEHICLE AND JUST SITTING.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO AND THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF FT THOMAS (859-441-7800, LOCATED AT 100 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, FORT THOMAS, KY 41075) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 64737215. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2019
STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE GEAR SELECTION LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE ON DASH DISPLAY. I HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF. OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THAT. DEALER SAYS CODE READER FAULT SAYS THAT SHIFTER WIRING HARNESS AND BEZEL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. SOME TYPE OF SHORT IN WIRING. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I SEE OTHER YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. NOT SURE WHY NOT THE 2017.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2019
WARNINGS START RUNNING THROUGH DASH, SERVICE AIRBAG, SERVICE PARK BREAK, SERVICE SHIFTER, SHIFTER LIGHTS ALL LIGHT UP, JEEP FALLS OUT OF GEAR. HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO EVEN MOVE, STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. COULD CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS ON THE OPEN ROAD.
Power train, Oct 7, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER GLOWED RED. PRND. DROVE FOR A WHILE SHUT CAR OFF AND IT WENT AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW .DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. BY THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE I CLAIM THEY ARE LYING.
Power train, Oct 7, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON SCREEN & SPEEDOMETER WHILE DRIVING, ALL LIGHTS ON TRANSMISSION SHIFT LIT UP. PERSISTS UNTIL VEHICLE STOPPED & RESTARTED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE IS A FIX, BUT ONLY AVAILABLE UNDER INITIAL WARRANTY UNLESS I WANTED TO PAY OVER $200. THEY HAD NO INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Power train, Oct 4, 2019
GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE. ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ARE ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. TURN CAR OFF, RESTART, SHORTLY AFTER MESSAGE REAPPEARS SERVICE SHIFTER. THIS IS DONE IN A STATIONARY POSITION.
Power train, Oct 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR AND SEVERAL OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD; HOWEVER, THE FORWARD MOMENTUM WAS MINIMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO ZONE AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NEITHER MECHANIC COULD RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 3, 2019
2017 JEEP CHEROKEE STARTED AND PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON AND DASHBOARD DISPLAYS MESSAGE "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED OUT. HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AND RESTART VEHICLE TO CLEAR ERROR MESSAGE AND GET TRANSMISSION TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT. I SEE ON WEB BLOG THAT MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 2016, 2017, 2018, AND 2019 JEEP CHEROKEES HAVE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERS CLAIM EITHER NEVER SEEN BEFORE (LIES), OR PERFORM SOFTWARE UPDATE, OR REPLACE SHIFTER AND WIRING HARNESS. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS FIX THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2019
I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A DING. I LOOKED AT WERE MY MPH IS DISPLAYED AND IT WAS SHOWING SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL THE LIGHTS WHERE THE SHIFTER IS WAS LITE UP.
Power train, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HARD SHIFTED AND JERKED FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT SYCAMORE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (1825 DEKALB AVE STE A, SYCAMORE, IL 60178, 815-895-8105) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER TO BE SERVICED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Power train, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT HILL, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND ROLLED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING IN REVERSE AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND INSTRUCTED THE DRIVER TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALSO, OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK WOLF CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE (1615 N STATE ST, BELVIDERE, IL 61008, (815) 544-9211) WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 27, 2019
CAR WITH JUST OVER 20K MILES AND A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE ARE LIGHTED UP (PNRD AND +-). SHIFT PATTERN WAS ODD THE DAY BEFORE.
Power train, Sep 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SERVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GLADSTONE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP AND RAM (5610 NORTH OAK TRAFFICWAY, GLADSTONE, MO 64118, (816) 455-3500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER SERVICE BEZEL WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER SERVICE BEZEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 64639458. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Power train, Sep 24, 2019
WHEN DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE 2.4 L, MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT TURNS ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS (PRND) TURN RED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER 36,000 MILES WARRANTY WAS OVER. JEEP DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT ME PAYING OUT OF POCKET. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE MESSAGE WILL CLEAR IT SELF BUT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER DRIVING.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 20, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL RED LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER COME ON. HAPPENS BOTH AT STATIONARY START AND WHILE MOVING (PREVIOUS TIME). STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN AND I'M AFRAID IT WILL LEAD TO ME BEING STRANDED OR UNABLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF PARK.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
IN APRIL 2018, MY GEARSHIFT QUIT WORKING. I WAS STATIONARY. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE LIGHTS ON THE GEARSHIFT CONSOLE ALL LIT UP. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS ONLY 14 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM REPLACED THE GEARSHIFT. ON SEPT. 18, 2019, THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, THE CAR DINGED AND THE DASHBOARD SAID CHECK GEARSHIFT. I AM NOW 49,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. I READ ONLINE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE GEAR SHIFT/TRANSMISSION ON JEEPS INCLUDING MINE, A CHEROKEE.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO KRIEGERS FORD (3205 NORTH HIGHWAY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761, 563-263-5324) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEZZLE AND HARNESS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT FOUND NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,500.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON DASH TOO TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED THEN 3-4 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED HAPPING AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNDER A LEASE AND IT WOULD BE 210 DOLLARS FOR THE PART AND ABOUT 500 DOLLARS FOR LABOR AND IF WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING IT FIX IT COULD STALL OUT ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME
Power train, Sep 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING. THEN AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE LIGHTNMESSAGE GOES AWAY DEALER SHIP HAS BEEN NO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM
Power train, Sep 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARED ON MAIN CLUSTER WHERE SPEEDOMETER TYPICALLY DISPLAYS. JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON SATURDAY. LOOKED UP MESSAGE AND THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A VERIFIED FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, DESPITE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.
Power train, Sep 16, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARED WHILE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM HOME. WARNING WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH RED LIGHTS ON THE PRNDL SHIFTER CONSOL. CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY, SO I CONTINUED HOME, AND SHUT OFF CAR. AFTER A SHORT TIME, RESTARTED CAR, AND FAULT HAD CLEARED. WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, AND IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX. THE CAR IS JUST PAST THE 360000 MILE WARRANTY LIMIT BY 70 MILES! I AM ACTUALLY SURPRISED I MADE IT THAT MANY MILES, BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY, BUT FOR SOME REASON, I AM NOT HOPEFUL, BASED ON OTHER OWNER EXPERIENCES.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 16, 2019
MY JEEP COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM HOME, MADE A LEFT TURN AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32MPH. IT DID RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND I QUICKLY DROVE BACK HOME AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 13, 2019
'CHECK SHIFTER' LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS ON MY SHIFTER LIT UP AS WELL. CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD AS WELL !