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: steering
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2025
Vehicle has a known safety Bulletin out from Stellantis for the PTU but this model does not fall under it. I am having issues with the PtU and concerns with safety of driving and others. Will need repaired. Frustration that my certain subsection of this model is not covered under the safety bulletin despite known problems and significant safety risk.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2025
I believe the PTU is malfunctioning and causing the transmission to slip or jerk. I am experiencing uncontrolled movement while driving. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection upon request. This puts myself and 2 small children at risk while driving, therefore my ability to use this vehicle is extremely limited and high risk. I have taken it to a jeep dealership in porterville ca who stated my transmission needed replacement. they verbally stated my ptu was ok but never confirmed it with documentation. i have taken it to private mechanics who could not find any issues saying that the problem is internal. the mechanics i have taken it to in the past year have not come to a solution other than to suggest i wait for a resolution to the recall. The service all wheel drive light came on/off about a year ago and was consistant for several months but has turned off for awhile now.
Steering, Power train, Jul 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's husband struck a curb. The contact's husband depressed the brake pedal and attempted to make a turn, but the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The "Service Shifter" message was displayed, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled while driving. The steering wheel was firm while making the turn. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the independent mechanic that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 16, 2024
I was driving my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4L, car won't start, I have oil pressure sensor to warn me when low doesn't alert me at all, only time is when I realized a beep when I made turns and would indicate oil pressure low! I can't get my car to stop and it stalled on me while driving with no indication of low oil, and I have two kids and could have been very bad, since no power no breaks no steering!
Steering, Suspension, Apr 14, 2024
My Jeep Cherokee(vin [XXX] ) was being flat towed behind a class a motorhome. On 4 separate occasions the front wheels of the jeep started bucking right to left and back to opposite side causing the whole motorhome to violently vibrate. 1) The first time it happened was at about 15 mph while turning left onto a connecting road. It started vibrating so I pulled to side of street and stopped. After getting out and discovering nothing of note I started off and the wobble was gone. 2) Second time was while driving at around 50 mph. There was a bump and grade change in the road and the wobble started. Much more violent than the first. I had to stop while in the traffic lane, with no place to pull over. This time I could see the wobble in the rear camera of the motorhome. Jeep was violently bucking back and forth as before but much stronger. 3) Slower speed at about 20 mph it happended again. Had to come to a stop before it corrected. 4) 40 mph and a very subtle road surface change caused wobble. I disconnected Jeep and drove it by itself to home. Never had an incident other than while being towed. This has happened 4 times in the past 5 trips of around 300 miles each. Since then I have discovered articles about "Jeep Death Wobbles" and have not found any evidence where Jeep has even acknowledged there is an issue. Until I see user manual that mentions a "Mopar Wiring Kit" that needs to be installed. I do not know if this is considered a recall or if is an after thought mentioned in the manual. At any rate the Jeep was sold as a flat towable vehicle and Jeep should stand behind it and install the Mopar fix as a safety fix at no charge to customers who bought it as a flat tow vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jan 29, 2024
Today while driving, my vehicle’s power steering went out causing me to pull over to the side of the road. My car was running, but I was unable to move it. When I put it in drive, the lights on the shifter would flash, but the car would not change gears. The problem appears to be electrical as the battery is brand new, and the engine was running.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 31, 2023
After the weekend rain, I went to start the 2017 Jeep Cherokee it did not start. I had the battery car jumped and it started up when driving it the steering wheel locked up. The dashboard started to display antilock brake assist off system, power steering assist off system, service transmission restart in Park with vehicle 0 speed, and so many red lights started flashing afterwards. I was in the car with my children a car that was coming behind me had to swerve around me as my car instantly stopped. This could’ve been a horrific or fatal car accident. I just hit my car check to renew my plates the emissions pass and everything safety was good. With this current situation, I would now have to get my car back to the dealership for further inspection, and will be without a car.
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.
Steering, Oct 10, 2023
my 2017 jeep cherokee (vin [XXX] ) has two recalls that are affecting the vhicle. the first is the shifter and harness recall that causes the vehicle to display "service shifter" messages randomly, and all of the shifter lights turn on. the second is the recall effecting how the vehicle shifts. please send me information on how to get these recalls fixed without having to pay a fortune. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Jul 19, 2023
I brought car in for oil change and was told the R front axle was leaking. Brought it to dealer for repair and told Both that both front and rear axles needed to be replaced along with PTU. Was informed that the that was ordered was cancelled b/c 800 people across the country were looking for the same part. There were no safety warnings. I was told very unsafe to drive b/c front axle came out of PTU.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2023
Service shifter message has been appearing and at times, all lights on PRND lighting up. The vehicle transmission may still engage or may not. Recent occurrence on 07/13/2013, vehicle took 20 minutes before transmission engaged. Fortunately, I was parked at work, going home. If this occurred on the road, has potential of wreck happening. Jeep dealership leaning towards voltage error, cleaned battery terminals, test drove, could not replicate error. Did not drive until 07/17/2023, service shifter message came back without all PRND lights coming on.
Steering, Power train, May 2, 2023
Service shifter keeps going on but no dealer ship know what the problem is and I have been stuck because of it.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 13, 2022
While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicles steering wheel locked, all lights on the dash came on and the car shut completely off. My daughter was able to slowly pump the breaks to stop because there was no traffic but had there been she could have been in a serious accident since the car completely shut down. This is a huge safety concern.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Oct 4, 2021
I was driving like normal about 15 mph after just pulling out of the gas station onto the main road and have no issues with my car as of late and all of a sudden it just stopped. All the lights lite up on the shift, every light lite up on the dash saying everything needed to be serviced, I was unable to move or do anything with the car, not even turn it off and i was in the middle of the road! Luckily no one was behind me and I was still able to engage my hazards. After about 10 min's my car turned off on it's own. I sat for another 10 before finally being able to turn it back on and move it to the side of the road and eventually get it back to my house 2 miles away. Clearly this is a serious safety issue and is not ok, especially the fact that my car was bought brand new and is not even 5 years old!
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2021
Car stalls without warning or indicator lights and will not restart in a safe manner. There are dozens of reports concerning this situation online and it is a SERIOUS safety issue that has received no attention. There is apparently and “incomplete” notice from JEEP that has failed to reach all customers. This has now happened to me three times — 2 of which were in situations that created significant safety risk.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 18, 2021
Service shifter warning. Car stalled twice. It has 45 k miles only. Won't start on first try.
Steering, Jun 28, 2021
While driving the Service Shifter prompt came on and all the lights on the gear box turned red. The safety risk when this prompt came on is huge as you are driving and trying not to panic as you don't know if the car will stall or stop suddenly. MANY other people with Jeeps have experienced this problem. There should be a recall for this issue. This vehicle has under 25,000 miles. I went to the dealership and was informed the parts are not covered under warranty. It was confirmed the Bezel and Wire Harness will have to be replaced which the dealership did on 6/24/2021. The vehicle was only inspected by the dealership. No other warnings or dashboard messages prior to 6/23/2021.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 23, 2021
JEEP WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, LOSE POWER STEERING, CANNOT ACCELERATE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY, BATTERY, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND RECEIVE A MESSAGE SAYING TO "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL TO START THE VEHICLE". IF YOU WANT A COUPLE MINUTES THE JEEP STRUGGLE TO TURNOVER BUT EVENTUALLY WILL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR BRAKING.
Steering, Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2021
DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TURNING RIGHT. A LOT OF CLICKING MAKING NOISE WHEN I BACK UP. AND TURN WHEEL.
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!!!!
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2021
JEEP SAYS 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND SHOWS UP ON THE DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURN RED ON THE SHIFTER ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY JEEP. THE FREQUENCY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD TO RESTART MY JEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO AWAY, AND WITHIN MINUTES NOW IT IS BACK ON. IT HAS GONE AWAY IN THE PAST BUT FOR AN UNKNOWN TIME (SOMETIMES A DAY SOMETIMES WEEKS.) IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE SHIFTING, DRIVING, AND WHILE PARKED. THE LIGHT IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE DASH BUT ALSO CONCERNING SINCE IT IS A KNOWN SHIFTER ISSUE.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Dec 5, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING DETAILS ISSUED JUNE 4, 2018 RECALL ID 299936 NHTSA CAMPAIGN #18V332000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 4,815,661 COMPONENT AFFECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT DETAILS ISSUED JULY 14, 2020 RECALL ID 314017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 20V343000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 67,248 COMPONENT AFFECTED POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHEELS: RIM DETAILS ISSUED OCTOBER 13, 2017 RECALL ID 269528 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V543000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 22,242 COMPONENT AFFECTED WHEELS: RIM
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN D RTHE HIGHWAY MY JEEP SHUT OFF MID MOTION, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. WE COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD I CRANKED IT 5-6 TIMES THEN IT STARTED . WHEN MY CHEROKEE STOPED THE DASH READ SHIFT TO PARK THEN SELECT A GEAR. THE NEXT TIME IT DIED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I WAS RUNNING 55 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE CAR DIED. THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT FROM SAID THEY FOUND NO ISSUE THIS IS AN ISSUE IT IS GOING TO GET ME OR MY KIDS HURT. I HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL SHUT DOWN. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT COME ON IS THE SHIFT INTO PARK PRESS BRAKE SELECT GEAR. IT IS TERRIFYING I USE THIS JEEP CHEROKEE TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 22, 2020
WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CITY STREET MY VEHICLE DINGED, TURNED OFF AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH 'SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE, SELECT GEAR'. I COULD NOT USE MY STEERING WHEEL OR BREAKS DURING THIS TIME. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND FULL TOOK MY KEY OUT. THEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT. I ONLY HEARD A SLIGHT SOUND BUT NO TURN OVER. I REPEATED THIS STEP AND THIS TIME, AFTER MOMENTARILY SPUTTERING, I WAS ABLE TO GIVE THE CAR GAS AND IT STAYED ON. I COULD SMELL OIL AT THIS POINT. IT SEEMS THIS IS RELATED TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH TRIGGERS THE CAR TO SHUT OFF TO PROTECT THE ENGINE. EXCEPT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND THERE ARE NO PRIOR WARNINGS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS.
Steering, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE GEARS LIGHT UP. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE PART REPAIRED WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,600.