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: other or unspecified
343 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR DISPLAYED SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY SHIFTER WERE LIT UP.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2019
THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA CUTS OUT WHILE BACKING UP AND GOES TO STATIC.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 3, 2019
LOW OIL INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON.THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN, WHEN THE OIL IS TO LOW WITHOUT ANY INDICATION LIGHT COMING ON THAT THE OIL IS LOW. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM TO THE POINT WHERE THE DEALERS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS. MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND INDICATED THAT I NEEDED TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS ALMOST DRY! I ADDED OIL AND WILL BE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP! THIS JEEP ONLY HAS 25K MILES ON IT
Electrical system, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2019
CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP NUMEROUS TIME SHIFTER SERVICE 3 TIMES ALTERNATOR ENGINE 4 TIMES, NEW TIRES NEEDED AT 20,000 MILES ETC. STOPS WORKING SHUTS OFF NUMEROUS TIMES ON HIGHWAY IN MOTION!!!
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2019
2017 CHEROKEE HAD A "SERVICE SHIFTER" ALERT POP UP AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIT UP RED. HAVE 33,700 MILES. ALERT CAME ON DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET. I WASN'T FAR FROM WORK , SO AS SOON AS I PULLED IN I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WAITED A FEW MINUTES KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND RESTARTED IT TO MAKE SURE IT HAD GONE INTO PARK. (LIGHTS WERE ALL RED, SO WHILE I KNEW I HAD IT IN POSITION I WANTED TO BE SURE) I ALSO PLACED MY PARKING BRAKE TO BE ON SAFE SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2019
SHIFTER KEEPS COMING UP WITH ERROR AND SHOWS ON SCREEN AND ALL LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON SHIFTING PANEL WHILE MOVING OR SITTING STILL. IF YOU STOP CAR AND TURN OFF, THEN TURN BACK ON SEEMS TO RESET.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2019
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2016. IT IS A 2017 VEHICLE THAT JUST HAS 37K MILES ON IT AND THE PRNDL SHIFTER AND CONNECTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.IT ALSO NEEDS A NUMBER 2 IGNITION COIL. THIS IS A NEW CAR....IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR JUST STARTED SHAKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULD HEAR A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. WHY HASN'T THIS CAR BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS??
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS UP. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW. AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF IT WENT AWAY. DEALER TOLD ME WE ARE FINE TO DRIVE IF IT DOESNT COME BACK
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 26, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP AND ALL LIGHTS ON GEARS TURN RED AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL JEEP. IT HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING GEAR, PARKING, DRIVING. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 20, 2019
MESSAGE ON DASH CAME UP SAYING SERVICE SHIFTER. ALL LIGHTS ON AROUND THE SHIFT STICK. CALLED DEALER N THEY SAY IT'S A 'COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEPS' AND I NEED A SHIFTER MODULE N WIRING. I LOOKED IT UP ON INTERNET N THERE ARE MANY GROUPS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. SOME SAY THEIR AUTO DIED WHILE DRIVING OR GEARS WON'T SHIFT RIGHT. WHY NO RECALL?? APPARENTLY IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR FEW YEARS. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM! I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN WARNING COMES ON THE MPH N STUFF DOESN'T SHOW ON DASH N LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON GEAR. VERY DISTRACTING!
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2019
DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, TURN INTO A BUSY ROAD AND MY LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASH AND SAID THAT YOU CAN'T SHIFT GEARS WHILE IN MOTION.. OBVIOUSLY I HADN'T DONE THAT.. TOOK 3 MINS JUST TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF SINCE EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED UP.. LET IT SIT ONCE OFF, DIDN'T WANT TO START.. DID IT AGAIN AND FINALLY IT STARTED AND THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER LIT UP! DO THE RECALL ALREADY! OBVIOUSLY WITH ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS IT'S A JEEP ISSUE, NOT AN OPERATOR ISSUE..
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING, SHIFTER LIGHTS FROM PRND, WHILE IN DRIVE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER" AUTOMATICALLY POPPED ON WHILE DRIVING ON A PUBLIC STREET. WENT HOME WAS ABLE TO REVERSE AND PARK . TURNED OFF CAR LET IT SIT FOR 2-3 MINS AND IT NO LONGER POPPED ON. DONT THINK IT'S UNDER WARRANTY
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL RED LIGHTS ON BY MY GEAR SHIFT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL FOR ABOUT 30 MILES THEN IT DOES THIS AGAIN. I HAVE READ LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY JEEP IS A 2017 AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE THERMOSTAT SENSOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FEELING LIKE IT CAN'T EVEN SUPPORT THE VEHICLE TO MY RPM GOING ALL THE WAY UP TO 6000 WHEN GOING UP HILL THAT MAKES MY CAR SOUND LIKE IT'S GOING TO BLOW UP NOW MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT IS ON. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY RUN 'UPDATES' THIS DOES NOTHING AT ALL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2019
WHILE DRIVING I HEAR A NOTIFICATION BING AND THE DASH SAYS 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND ALL THE SHIFTER'S INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE SOLID RED. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS A LOT AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE ONLY TEMPORARILY RESETS THE COMPUTER TO ACCEPTABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON WHEN DRIVING G HOME, I CAN'T SEE MY SPEED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2019
'SERVICE SHIFTER' MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER COME ON; PRND. MESSAGE GOES AWAY ONCE THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2019
FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLOCKING MOST OTHER ACTIVE DRIVING INFORMATION AND ALL DOTS ON THE SHIFTER HOUSING BECOME RED. SEE PICS. THIS HAS OCCURRED COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2018, BUT DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT IT'S DRIVING CAPABILITY. I HAVE COMBED THROUGH COUNTLESS JEEP FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND WOULD SAY IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM HOWEVER WITH NO CLEAR SOLUTION. JEEP HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS ONGOING ISSUE AND I AM UNCERTAIN OF THE POTENTIAL RISK I AM TAKING BY CONTINUED DRIVING OF THIS VEHICLE AND WHAT EFFECT THIS ACTUALLY HAS ON THE VEHICLE AND ITS FUTURE DRIVABILITY
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 27, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE CAME ON. ALL THE LIGHTS ON SHIFTER ARE RED. I WAS IN MY DRIVE ABOUT TOO RUN AN ERRAND
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2019
22.476 MILES ON VEHICLE AND SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARING WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2019
AT 26000 MILES "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING CAME. HAPPENED WHEN STARTING ENGINE. ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS CAME ON. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE JEEP MODELS WHICH JEEP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. COULD CAUSE A FAILURE AND LEAVE YOU STRANDED IN UNTENABLE SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF YOU ELDERLY. APPARENTLY JEEP IS AWARE BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT SO THAT IT DOES NOT REPEAT AGAIN IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 16, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2019
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT 50,000 MILES THE SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON, WE GOT IT FIXED NO PROBLEM. NOW I AM AT 56,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER HAS NOW COME BACK ON. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH JEEP CHEROKEES AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. PLEASE RECALL JEEP CHEROKEES.