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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 9, 2021
WHEN DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, AN ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE SCREEN STATING CAN NOT SWITCH GEARS WHILE IN DRIVE, THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6+ TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH, IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEFT TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION 3 TIMES AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ONCE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND YOU GIVE IT A MINUTE, WHEN YOU RESTART IT TAKES TIME TO TURN OVER. THIS IS SO UNSAFE AND I AM AFRAID EVERY TIME I DRIVE AS I DRIVE MY DAUGHTER IN THIS VEHICLE AND THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SURE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY TEST DROVE AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE TWICE, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND NOTHING CAME UP, WHEN THEY RESEARCHED IT THEY FOUND THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY READ THAT IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE OIL BEING USED TO QUICKLY AND WHEN THE TURN OCCURS IT SUCKS IN AIR. PLEASE HELP!!!
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2021
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WORDS POP UP ON MY SCREEN. THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT (PRND) LIGHT UP RED. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON WHY THEY POP ON, THEY JUST RANDOMLY POP ON.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE CONSTANTLY POPS UP.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2021
WATER WAS FOUND PUDDLING THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD AND DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS FOUND THAT THE FACTORY DID NOT SEAL A SEEM BETWEEN THE WHEEL WELL AND THE FIREWALL CAUSING THE LEAK. EVIDENTLY THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLRM ACCORDING TO JEEP FORUMS. THE STANDING WATER IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT AND IS CAUSING FOWL SMELL. ALL OF THIS OCCURS AFTER I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE THROUGH ITS FIRST AUTOMATIC CAR WASH.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2021
PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING, A "SERVICE SHIFTER" NOTIFICATION WILL TURN ON AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER INDICATING GEARS WILL LIGHT UP. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THIS NOTIFICATION WILL DISAPPEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6+ TIMES RANDOMLY OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME FALSE NOTIFICATION. THE UNRELIABILITY OF THIS NOTIFICATION IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER POPS UP WHEN I'M DRIVING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY UNSAFE!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 24, 2021
CAR SPEEDS UP AND JOLTS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IT ALSO LOOSES STRENGTH AND DOES NOT GO HIGHER THAN 5MPH ON THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY DID FIX THE TRANSMISSION SOME TIME AGO AND EVEN AFTER THAT IT CONTINUES TO JOLT WHEN IN PARK. WHEN DRIVING IT ALSO JOLTS FROM LOW SPEED TO HIGH SPEED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2021
AS I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL ALL GLOWED RED. I STOPPED THE CAR, SHIFT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND ALL SEEMED NORMAL AGAIN. WHILE THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE WAS SHOWING, ALL OTHER INFORMATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS HIDDEN WHICH FELT UNSAFE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS ISSUE IS AFFECTING MANY AS THEY ARE REPORTING THE SAME OCCURRENCE I EXPERIENCED AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF JEEP TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *CC *TR
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2021
A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD RANDOMLY WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE STREET AND THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS TURN ON ON THE SHIFTER. I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT GOES AWAY BUT IT COMES BACK ON LATER AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2021
THE SHIFTER SAYS THAT IT NEEDS REPAIRED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ARE LIT UP RED. WHEN I LOOK IT UP IT SHOWS AN ACTIVE RECALL BUT DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2021
SHIFTER SERVICE - SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAR AT LESS THAN 18,000 MILES HAS HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED ... NOW IT IS HAVING SHIFTER ISSUE. LINK TO COMPLAINTS - HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS990296
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON CONSISTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE WHILE MY JEEP WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, TO THIS DAY
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I JUST HAD THE PTU CHANGED OUT! THIS VEHICLE IS BEING TO FEEL UNSAFE AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO DO WHAT I BOUGHT IT FOR!
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2021
AFTER SERVICE SHIFTER RECALL WAS FIXED IT STILL CONTINUES TO COME ON, MY SHOCKS ARE LEAKING, POOFS OF SMOKE COME OUT OF MY VENTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON, MY HEATER AND AIR ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES, AND I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY 4 TIMES. I ONLYII
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2021
IT'S 31 DEGREES HERE IN ALASKA AND I AUTO STARTED MY VEHICLE TO WARM UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES. WHEN I SHIFTED GEAR INTO REVERSE I HEARD A BEEP COME FROM THE WARNING LIGHTS AND IT SAID, 'SERVICE SHIFTER.' THEN I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND REALIZE ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED RED ON THE LETTERS P, R, N, D, -+, I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE WARNING LIGHTS. I JUST GOT MY CAR SERVICED AT CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE ANCHORAGE 5TH AVE. ALASKA COUPLE DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2020
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE . WE HAVE PAID TO HAVE FIXED TWICE. SAME ALERT BOTH TIMES . STILL WAITING ON PART . THERE ARE 78 AHEAD OF ME. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR JEEP PRODUCTS. READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE . THERE SHOULD BE THEIR PROBLEM TO FIX
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2020
THE WORDS "SERVICE SHIFTER" COMES ON MY DASH. IT WILL NOT LET ME CLEAR IT. ALSO ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURNED ON AND IS RED.
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT WILL COME ON & DISAPPEAR. DEALERSHIPS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE POPS UP CONSTANTLY AND HAS THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT'S RANDOM AND SOMETIMES IT'S WHILE I'M DRIVING. WHICH JUST HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. IF IT COMES ON RIGHT WHEN I START THE ENGINE I CANNOT PUT MY CAR INTO ANY GEAR. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY FOR IT TO CLEAR. AFTER WHICH THE FIRST TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING IS ROUGH AND THE CAR SHIFTS BADLY. SOMETIMES ACCELERATION IS POOR AFTER. ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURN RED. VERY DANGEROUS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON (PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE, ETC. ALL LIT UP AT ONCE) REPLACEMENT NEEDED IS SHIFTER BEZEL AND WIRING HARNESS. DEALER SAYS ITS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS NOT COVERED BY JEEP WARRANTY, BUT IS VERY COMMON. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 29, 2020
WHILE DRIVING A LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS TO SERVICE SHIFTER. EVERY TIME IT HAS COME ON, I PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF. I'M WORRIED BECAUSE I'VE HEARD OTHERS AND THEIR BRAKES LOCKING UP AND GETTING INTO A WRECK...ON THE DASH READS PARK. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A LIGHT COME ON THE SPEEDOMETER THAT BLINKS AND THEN MAKES A LOUD BEEP BEEP BEEP. IT DOES GO OFF EVENTUALLY. THE WORST YET IS WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR, THE BRAKE LOCKS UP AND IT WON'T START OR TURN OVER. WE HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET IT LOOKED AT. FINALLY AFTER TRYING MANY THINGS, HE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT BEGAN TO WORK. EVERY NOW AND THEN, IT DOES THE SAME THING, BUT IF I BREATHE JUST RIGHT IT STARTS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2020
MY 2017 JEEP HAD JUST TURNED OVER 30,000 MILES WHEN A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH. ALL THE LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE CONSOLE WHERE THE SHIFTER SITS. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE WEEK. I PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY. IT DID IT WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT. THEN IT APPEARED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY ENDED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR SO OF COURSE I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE SHIFTER BEZEL AND WIRING HARNESS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IF I LET IT GO AND DIDN'T FIX IT, EVENTUALLY, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. UPON GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM I SEE THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR JEEPS. I AM UPSET AND WONDERING WHY THIS IS NOT A FACTORY RECALL ISSUE. I DO NOT BELIEVE A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 30,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT SHOULD BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I READ MANY STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! JACKIE PRASNICKI
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON RANDOM AT ANY TIME. TURN OFF MY JEEP AND RESTART IT AND IT GOES AWAY. NOW MY PUSH START BUTTON WILL TURN ON MY DASH BUT WHEN I GO TO START THE JEEP IT WILL JUST CLICK. IM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF ITS BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTER ERROR. IT HAS TO BE IN PARK AND IF ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON THEN MAYBE IT WILL KEEP MY JEEP FROM STARTING CORRECTLY.