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: service brakes
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jan 31, 2019
WE HAVE HAD THIS JEEP FOR ONE YEAR. THE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS TO SERVICE THE BRAKES SYSTEM AFTER 1200 MILES. TODAY SAME THING AGAIN. I GOT IN MY JEEP TO RUN AN ERRAND AND STARTED THE CAR PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE AND HEAR A HISSING SOUND UNDER THE DASH. THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AGAIN I KNOW THIS BECAUSE ITS HAPPENED AT 1200 MILES ALSO AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT ALREADY.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND ACCELERATED UPHILL. THE CAR DIED AND LOST ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING STEERING AND LIMITED BRAKING. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS DUE TO LOW OIL. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 4 MONTHS. NO OIL INDICATOR EVER APPEARED IN EITHER INSTANCE. SAID IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE TO SAVE ENGINE BUT APPARENTLY NOT HUMAN LIVES. IT AS SCARY..I DO NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE AND WHY IS IT CONSUMING SO MUCH OIL.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 23, 2018
MULTIPLE SPORADIC FLASHING LOSS OF TRACTION LIGHT ON DRY ROADS AND ROLLING STARTS. 5/10/18 4872M VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET 35MPH "SERVICE PARKING BRAKE" FLASHED ON DISPLAY 5/12/18 5004M MAKING LEFT TURN FROM STOP ON YIELD GREEN VERY SLIGHT DECLINE, CITY STREET, DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL TO MAKE TURN, CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR FLASHING TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THEN BACK IN DRIVE. CAR ROLLED INTO INTERSECTION. I FLIPPED OVER TO TIPTRONIC W/O RESPONSE, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND BACK W/O RESPONSE, KIDS IN BACKSEAT WHILE CAR IS STALLED PERPENDICULAR TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TURNED HAZARDS ON, SHIFTED TO PARK AND BACK, NO RESPONSE, ROLLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AT THIS POINT. PUT CAR BACK IN PARK, COUNTED TO FIVE, SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE, AND CAR RESPONDED. 5/12/18 5084M FIANC DRIVING, CITY STREET 45MPH. MAKING LEFT TURN ACROSS 3 ONCOMING LANES FROM STOP, CAR AGAIN SLIPPED FROM GEAR AND FLASHED MESSAGE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE. FIANC SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE W/O RESPONSE. I TURNED ON HAZARDS, HE SHIFTS CAR INTO PARK AND COUNTED A FEW SECONDS BEFORE PUTTING IT PARK IN DRIVE AND PULLING OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP CLOSED. 5/14/18 DROPPED CAR OFF AT JEEP 5/22/18 VM FROM JEEP, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS 5/23/18 JEEP CALLED, COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, FILED A REPORT W/CHRYSLER, TESTED GROUNDING, AND CONCLUDED IT WAS A "FLUKE IN THE SYSTEM". ASKED ME TO PICK UP THE CAR DESPITE NOT MAKING REPAIR. "IF YOU HAVE ISSUES BRING IT BACK".
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 13, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND BOTH KNEES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700. ..UPDATED 10/19/17 *BF
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 21, 2017
I WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE GEAR IN D, I FELT MY VEHICLE IS REVERSING (MOVING BACKWARDS), I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE GEAR WAS IN R AND FOOT ON GAS PADEL BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, I DOUBLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE GEAR WAS IN D AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK (P) TO MAKE SURE IT STOPS AND THEN WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUT IT IN DRIVE (D) AND STARTED DRIVING. IN ALL THAT BIZZARENESS, I FELT I MISSED A GREEN LIGHT AS WELL. I THOUGHT MAY BE THE VEHICLE BESIDES ME STARTED DRIVING AND IT WAS MY VISION WHICH MADE ME THINK THAT MY VEHICLE MOVED BACKWARDS BUT I AM A LONG TIME DRIVER AND SOMETHING LIKE THAT NEVER HAPPENED WITH ME BEFORE. I WAS COMPLETELY SHAKEN UP, THINKING THAT LUCKILY NO VEHICLE WAS BEHIND ME DURING ALL THAT TIME. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS AT LEAST ONE VEHICLE SPACE BEHIND THE STOPPAGE LINE WHEN I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN. THIS STRENGTHENED MY BELIEF THAT MY VEHICLE MOVED BACKWARDS.
Service brakes, May 13, 2017, crash
WE JUST PURCHASED ABOVE VEHICLE WITH 13 MILES ON IT. LIKE THE CAR, BUT WE WERE CRAWLING ALONG AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF US STOPPED. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO STOP AND HIT BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS WERE SIDE BY SIDE AND HE HIT BOTH AT SAME TIME. NO SPACE BETWEEN THE PEDALS AT ALL. COST US OVER 3,000 JUST FOR OURS. THINKING OF GETTING ANOTHER VEHICLE JUST BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE.