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, May 10, 2018
TRANSMISSION STICKS - AFTER YOU ARE STOPPED AND THEN APPLY THE GAS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE AND WHEN IT DOES, IT THEN "LAUNCHES" YOU. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT PROPERLY DOWNSHIFT - YOU WILL REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS TO START SLOWING DOWN AND IT SLOWS FOR A BRIEF SECOND AND THEN SURGES. REPAIRED WITH A COMPUTER REPROGRAM ON 5/1/18 AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS. JEEP IS WELL AWARE OF THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES IN THESE VEHICLES AND REFUSES TO RECALL OR TO FIND A REPAIR TO FIX THE ISSUE. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSAND OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WHO HAVE MADE THE ISSUE KNOWN TO JEEP. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017 AND IT ONLY HAS 4150 MILES. I HAVE FILED A CONCERN WITH JEEP CORPORATE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME.
Power train, Apr 28, 2018
SERVICE SHIFTER ERROR CODE; CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.
Power train, Engine, Apr 26, 2018
PER JEEP SERVICE THE VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL. WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT, IT WILL JUST CUTOFF. BOTH TIMES WE EXPERIENCE THE ISSUE LEAVING A STOP SIGN. THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHEN IT DIED. THIS IS THE SECOND PROBLEM IN LESS THAN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS A BRAKING ISSUE THAT THE VEHICLE JUMPS WHEN IT YOU LET OFF THE BREAKS AND PUSH THEM AGAIN. THE DEALER DID A FIRMWARE UPGRADE ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT STILL HAS THE ISSUE JUST TO A LESSER EXTENT. I HAVE A CASE WITH FCA CASE #: 33883097 THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING. THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH.
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
Power train, Apr 21, 2018
. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO HARD AT TIMES IN LOW GEARS THAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT FROM THE REAR. SHIFTING OF TRANS IS NOT SMOOTH AT LOW GEARS ESPECIALLY ON A INCLINE.THIS HAS HAPPEND MULTIPLE TIMES.
Power train, Apr 19, 2018
DRIVING JEEP WHEN "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE CAME ON DASH. ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTING PANEL BETWEEN SEATS CAME ON. CAR LOST POWER. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF ROAD, LET SIT FOR ONE MINUTE AND RESTARTED. ALL WAS FINE. WAS TRAVELING ON LOCAL STREET AT 45 MPH.
Power train, Apr 5, 2018
CAR HAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FORM PARK TO DRIVE AND REVERSE TO DRIVE. ALSO WHEN STOP AND ACCELERATE JUST A LITTLE THE CAR JUMPS AND JERKS WHEN STOPPING. THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR STOP RESPONDING FROM THE ACCELERATOR. ALREADY TOOK THE CAR THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CANT FIND ANY ISSUE.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: SERVICE SHIFTER ALERT RECEIVED
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.
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
Power train, Dec 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE THAT CONTROLLED THE AUTOMATIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVEN MINUTES FOR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO READ CORRECTLY TO ACTIVATE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLDSTIEN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (968 NEW LOUDON RD, LATHAM, NY 12110 518-785-4156), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Power train, Oct 14, 2017
I HAVE PURCHASED THE JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT 2017 ABOUT 2 AND HALF MONTHS AGO IN EARLY AUGUST 2017. AS OF TODAY I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 1986 MILES. WITHIN THESE MILES I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS PROBLEM THREE TIMES WHICH WERE LIFE THREATENING WHILE BEING ON THE ROAD. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED WHEN I CAME ON A FULL STOP ON EXPRESSWAY (SAN TOMAS EXPRESSWAY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY IN CA) AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR IS ON "D" (DRIVE). WHEN TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME STARTED MOVING THEN I RELEASED BRAKE AND STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE CAR NEVER MOVED, THE MORE I STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE CAR WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, THEN I REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FUNCTIONING AS BEING ON NEUTRAL, HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE WAS ON "D" IN "DRIVE" POSITION. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY REAR VIEW MIRROR THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS APPROACHING VERY FAST ASSUMING I WILL MOVE, I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY GOT MY ARM OUT AND WAVE TO THE CAR BEHIND ME TO PASS ME IN ORDER TO AVOID GETTING REAR ENDED. THEN I REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION WHILE IN "D" POSITION DROPPED TO "N" FUNCTIONALITY BUT THE GEAR SHIFT AND DASHBOARD WAS STILL SHOWING AS THE CAR WAS IN "D" DRIVE POSITION. THEN I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE ENGINE IN "P" POSITION, RESTARTED THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING AWAY. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM JUST STARTED, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE IS IN "P" POSITION WHEN YOU PUSH BUTTON ON THE SHIFT HANDLE TO MOVE FROM "P" TO ANY POSITION I STARTED HEARING A "CLICK" SOUND BY THE IGNITION KEY.
Power train, Oct 8, 2017
DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. NO NOISES, NO WARNINGS JUST SHUT OFF. MY DASH STATED TO "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE + SELECT GEAR" ALSO MY DRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING RED BY THE SHIFTER. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO START. HEARD NOISE AS IF EVERYTHING WAS TURNING ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN. I DROVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT HOME AND HAVE NOT TRIED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT IS A SUNDAY AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT OPEN SO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO CALL AND REQUEST SERVICE. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF MY JEEP SHOWED LOTS OF COMPLAINTS WITH TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS A VIDEO OF A TRAILHAWKS DASH DOING EXACTLY WHAT MINE DID.
Power train, Sep 25, 2017
5 TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 8-9-17 THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A STOP FOLLOWING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. IT JERKS, STOPS AND PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOTHING. I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO N, REEVE UP THE ENGINE, SHIFT BACK INTO D, BACK INTO N, AND RETURN TO D BEFORE I CAN MOVE AHEAD. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH A VEHICLE CLOSE BEHIND THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
Power train, Sep 18, 2017
THE SHIFTER WENT OUT WITH LESS THAN 150 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE NEW SHIFTER DOESN'T STAY IN GEAR AND OFTEN SHIFTS VERY HARD. WHEN THE SHIFTER WENT OUT ORIGINALLY WE WERE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR DIED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF THE CAR AND START IT TO GET IT HOME. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AFTER WE GOT IT HOME AND TRIED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY PUT IN A NEW SENSOR BUT STILL HAVING ISSUES. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY DID A PROGRAM UPGRADE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND GAVE IT BACK. IT HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR AND SEVERAL OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLINTON AUTO GROUP (2850 VALLEY WEST DRIVE, CLINTON, IA 52732) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ADVISED AS TO WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,175.
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN SHIFTED INTO PARK INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE SUSTAINED A BRUISED KNEE AND A CONCUSSION, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.UPDATED 09/19/17 *BF UPDATED 10/23/17 *BF UPDATED11/16/17 *BF *JS *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2017
INTERMITTENTLY DOES GO INTO REVERSE
Power train, Jul 5, 2017
IRREGULAR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Power train, Jun 12, 2017
THIS VEHICLE OFTEN HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. IT JUST SITS THERE WITHOUT REVVING OR STALLING DESPITE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER 1-3 SECONDS THE JEEP WILL "ROCKET" FORWARD. IT WILL SOMETIMES DO THIS AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF. IN ADDITION TO THIS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN A CORNER WILL CAUSE THE SAME RESULTS. THOUGH DANGEROUS, THE REVERSE TO DRIVE IS MUCH MORE DISTURBING AND MY FAMILY FEARS DRIVING IT. THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED LIKE THIS IN MY DRIVING HISTORY. A "FIX" WAS DONE A MONTH AGO BUT NO CHANGE. IT'S IN THE SHOP AGAIN BUT THE TECHS SAY IT'S FINE AND FIND NOTHING WRONG. 6-12-2017
Power train, Mar 8, 2017
THE SO CALLED, 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION ISN'T A 9 SPEED. IT NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, HITS 9TH GEAR. THE JEEP SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT HE KNOWS THAT IT WILL NEVER HIT 9TH. ALSO, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY SCARY MOMENT WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE DOOR BY AN ONCOMING CAR! I HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN HILL AT OVER 70MPH, AND IT WON'T SHIFT TO 9TH. WHEN MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER FROM "D" TO THE ELECTRONIC MANUAL POSITION, THE INDICATOR SHOWS THAT 8TH IS THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE GEAR. I CAN MANUALLY SHIFT THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE GEAR TO 9TH, BUT THE TRANSMISSION STILL WON'T UP SHIFT TO 9TH GEAR.
Power train, Dec 4, 2016
VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. DELAY IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND POSSES A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY.