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, Feb 9, 2022
The service shifter light came on and the mechanics cannot find any logical reason why but it does not allow me to see what speed I am going when it is on.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 8, 2022
Engine and car was not warming up with remote start. Finally check engine light comes on. Code P0128 thermostat. Repaired 1/28/2021 @ 85762 miles. All antifreeze replaced. $600+ repair. 2/1/2022 same observed failure of engine to warm up during remote starts. 2/6/2022 check engine light comes on with code P0128. Again, thermostat failure. Miles 111,000. This appears to be a repetitive symptom of cherokees 2014+ with 2.4L engines. This can cause serious engine damage.
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2022
Message came up saying Service Shifter and all lights on shifter turned red. Happened several times. Made appointment to have it checked. Was told I needed new shifter and the part would take 7 to 10 days (took 10) and that I should not drive it as it could lock up in gear. After researching on line it appears this is a problem for many people and does not appear to be a recall item with so many complaints. It has been repaired costing nearly $1,000. I think this should be reviewed with so many others having the same problem.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2022
While driving down the street, my vehicle has started to automatically shift into neutral and the warning message, "must brake before shifting into gear" appears on my dash. I have to coast over to the side of the road in neutral, shift into park and turn my vehicle off before trying to restart. This has happened 4 or 5 times while I am actually driving down the road. When it is appearing to drive "normal" it has a warning message of "gear shift error" on the dash. So I paid a local mechanic to replace the entire gear shift component and my vehicle switched into neutral while I was driving again the next day. I am so nervous I will get into a wreck from this continuing to happen while driving my toddler around. I have not driven it since this happened right after picking it up from the shop. I then found a website listing a recall for my same year and make/model describing exactly what is currently happening with my vehicle. I called a local Jeep dealership about the recall and they told me since there was not a recall attached to my VIN number, they could not honor the recall. I am reporting this to you now to try and get my vehicle acknowledged and repaired under the recall. Here is the website where I found the recall: https://www.carscoops.com/2020/06/2014-2017-jeep-cherokee-recalled-over-serious-transmission-issues/
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2022
Service shifter message. Shifter lites turn all red. Screen on dash won't change when message is on.
Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2021
The gear shifter bezel and wiring all malfunctioned while I was driving. After reading up on the issues seems like this is a very common problem for jeeps. All lights on the shifter were lit up and I was unsure as to what gear I was in. This can be a major issue for any driver and should be recalled nationwide for fixing.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2021
As I am driving, the "service shifter" comes on and every gear on my vehicle lights up.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2021
I bought a 2017 Jeep Cherokee latitude two weeks ago by the time I drove it home the service shifter light came on. I bought this car and it was certified free of defects this has happened a half a dozen times now I called the dealer and told them about it and I saw what the fix was online. The fixe is to put in a new shifter bezel and a new wiring harness. The dealer refuses to do this and the vehicle is certified what can I do?
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2021
Service Shifter at approx. 27000 - all my gear lights red and the screen was locked to Service Shifter
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2021
Ever few thousand miles, a ding will occur and a service light will come on along with a message stating, service shifter. P R D N L, light up on the shifter and will not turn of until a complete shutdown of vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2021
When turning the key in the ignition the vehicle will sometimes not start. The engine does not try to turn over or engage.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2021
I have a photo of this sticker. Inside on the car's body frame of the driver's side of my 2017 JEEP, there is a sticker that says: THIS VEHICLE MAY INCLUDE MERCURY -- added devices installed by the manufacturer: Video display (which I have to touch to operate the radio and phone call free feature) Navigation/Camera Display (which I have to touch to operate the radio and phone call free feature) HDI Headlamps (which I touch when I wash my car) Remove devices before vehicle's disposal. Upon removal of devices, please reuse, recycle or dispose as hazardous waste. When I travel (on a straight road like Interstate 5 in Washington and Oregon) for more than 3 hours, I get nauseous, dizzy, and do not feel well for hours afterwards. This has been an on-going scenario. I had asked my mechanic to check the AC system, clean all of the vents, and replace the filters and it still did not fix my reaction to driving in the car or being just a passenger. This is unacceptable! Please recall and rectify this hazardous situation immediately among all owners of a 2017 JEEP. Why it is always in the hands of the consumer to make things right? Why can't corporations just do the right thing for its customers and the earth? This blatant irresponsibility and corporate greed is getting so old. FYI: Health Effects of Mercury Exposure The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested. [March 31, 2017] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health#:~:text=Health%20effects%20of%20mercury%20exposure&text=The%20inhalation%20of%20mercury%20vapour,induce%20kidney%20toxicity%20if%20ingested. https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/toxzine/mercury_toxzine.html COMPLETED FORM 09/16/2021
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2021
My service shifter will lock up and the gear shift will read that my car is in park, reverse, neutral, drive all at the same time. My dash will read “service shifter” however it has been doing that since I purchased it. The wheels on the car will jerk and lock up. Luckily, I am not going fast and can safely pull over. The car will sputter and act like it is struggling to go. I have had everything checked and all other recalls fixed. When I mentioned it to the service department, they said they could replace the part but it doesn’t guarantee that it will fix the issue. He gave me a quote to fix it and said the part is on back order or may be recalled soon. If it isn’t in the process it needs to be before it takes someone’s life. When I have checked social media it appears that multiple people are having the same issue.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2021
I was driving and my car just stop on the freeway out of no where, no warning, no lights on absolutely nothing, it wouldn't start, after a couple minutes it started up again. later that day the same thing happened. Thank God an accident did not happen specially when it stop on the freeway.
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2021
Just bought the Jeep with 78,000 miles. Haven't made a payment and the service shifter message keeps coming up as well as service start stop system.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER. The Shift Bezel keeps going out. I reading that is happening to a lot of other people only had this car 2 months. The gear shifter Bezel lights up all red and service shifter shows up on the dashboard.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2021
Hello, In March I received a performed recall W84 for my 2017 Jeep Cherokee. A recall W84 the PCM and TCM modules. Since then I have had on the cluster a warning light which came on stating 'Service Shifter'. When this happened, all the lights on the shifter turned red. This happened when driving. This was a intermittent issue that was becoming more consistent. I went to McKevitt for reparation. It costed me $735! $360 for diagnosis, $120 for parts and $235 for labor!
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT FREQUENTLY ON.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER CONTINUES TO POP UP
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2021
WHEN DRIVING MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE GEARS ARE LITE UP RED THE PARK REVERSE NEUTRAL AND DRIVE I HAVE TO PULL OVER KILL THE ENGINE THEN WAIT A FEW SECONDS THEN RESTART IT BUT IT CONTINUE TO COME ON AT LEAST 2 TIMES A DAY THROUGH OUT THE WEEK
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER RANDOMLY COMES ON AND CAUSES SCREEN TO LOCK AND LIGHTS UP THE SHIFTER. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR CAME ON
Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON. CAR JERKS. DRIVING.