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, Sep 7, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WORDS APPEARED ON SCREEN NOT JUST ONCE BUT TWICE.WHEN CAR MOVING
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2020
'SERVICE SHIFTER' WORDS APPEARED ON SCREEN AND ALL OF THE RED LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2020
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR DASH WILL POP UP AND SAY 'SHIFTER SERVICE REQUIRED'. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP.
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAIL HAWK TODAY WHEN THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT CAME ON. I'VE HEARD THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF OTHER 2017 JEEP CHEROKEES
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2020
THE BACK UP CAMERA GETS SNOWY AT TIME - YOU CAN NOT TELL WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A SPOT WHERE YOU CAN NOT SEE AROUND OTHER CARS - VARIOUS TIME WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE - RADIO VOLUME TAKES A MINUTE TO ADJUST AT VARIOUS TIME - RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED - HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS ON AND OFF
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHTS COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN HERE LATELY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
'SERVICE REQUIRED' LIGHT CAME ON, SHIFTER BEZZLE NEEDS REPLACED ACCORDING TO DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY CANNOT GET THE PART FOR WEEKS AND SAID I CANNOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE SHIFTER COULD 'GO OUT AT ANY TIME', IT IS $450 FOR THE PART ALONE, AND NOW NEED A RENTAL.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
SHIFTER SERVICE ALERT ON 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAIL HAWK WITH LOW MILAGE (19,000)
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON AND GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ARE ALL RED,P,R,N,D. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS990296
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 30, 2020
THIS JEEP CHEROKEES OIL IS EVAPORATING CAUSING MY CAR TO CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGH WAY. I CHECK MY OIL EVERY OTHER DAY. MY OIL EVAPORATES WHILE DRIVING I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED FOR OIL LEAKS 5 TIMES. THIS VEHICLE ALSO CUTS OFF AND SAY SHIFTER AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN THE VEHICLE OFF LET SIT FOR 5 MINUTES THEN RESTART. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO GET A TUNE UP AT 50000 MILES DUE TO MANUFACTURAL DEFECT ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC AN ALERT SHOWED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLES WHILE I AM TRYING TO GET OVER LANES TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SO MUCH SO I WILL NOT DRIVE WITH MY GROWN CHILDREN AND DEFINITLY NOT MY GRANDCHILDREN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2020
MY KEEP IS NOT EVEN AT 30.000 AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO TURN IT ON FROM THE PARKING LOT AND THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED IT.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 14, 2020
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO A LIGHT ON THE SCREEN APPEARED AND SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURNED ON, THE D, R AND SO ON. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT INORDER TO GET THE WARNING LABEL OFF THE SCREEN AND GET THE LIGHTS OFF. NOW TODAY, MY CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO START BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. THE RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS TURN ON SO LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT'S NOT THE BATTERY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE. I WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW SHIFTER CABLE AND MODULE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2020
THIS IS ABOUT THE SHIFTER. WE BEGAN GETTING WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT "SHIFTER ERROR". SHORTLY AFTER THAT MY WIFE TOLD ME SHE HAD PROBLEMS "MAKING THE CAR TURN OFF" IN OUR DRIVEWAY. I GOT IN AND COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I FIDDLED WITH IT UNTIL I FINALLY GOT IT INTO PARK AND TRIED TO TURN THE JEEP OFF BUT EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL THINGS (RADIO, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, BEEPING, INTERIOR LIGHTS ETC..) WERE STILL GOING. I COULD NOT RESTART THE JEEP WITHOUT A JUMPER CABLE. WHEN I RESTARTED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT BACK TO "NORMAL". I TRIED TO TURN THE JEEP OFF AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WENT THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS AGAIN, GOT THE JEEP STARTED AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. FIRST THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS JUST A BAD BATTERY. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT ALL OF THE NEWS ABOUT SHIFTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND THE "SHIFT BEZEL AND HARNESS" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM 4 WEEKS OUT OF MY 3 YEAR WARRANTY SO I PAID $857.02 FOR THIS WORK. THE SERVICE MAN PUT A NOTE ON BILL THAT SAYS "IF LIGHT COMES BACK ON WE NEED TO "REPLACE SHIFTER ALSO - $890.00" I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY DEFECT NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THAT THE 2017 JEEP SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE HER JEEP. ALSO, THE "SHIFTER ERROR" MESSAGE JUST CAME BACK ON ONE DAY AFTER GETTING THE JEEP BACK. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT SOMETIMES THE JEEP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT WHEN THE JEEP IS IN PARK. PLEASE HELP. SOME IS GOING TO GET HURT. TRY GOOGLING "JEEP SHIFTER" AND YOU'LL SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM ARE OUT THERE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT POPPED UP SERVICE SHIFTER. I HAVEN'T HAD THE VEHICLE VERY LONG I'M UP TO 90,000 MILES. I TURNED THE JEEP OFF AND IT WENT AWAY L. A WEEK LATER IT SHOWED UP AGAIN AND IT'S GOES OFF. IT SHIFTS FUNNY. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2020
HEATED STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T STAY ON EVEN BELOW 40 DEGREES. ON HAS TO TURN IT ON AND OFF IN ORDER TO WORK. WITHIN THREE MINUTES THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL TURNS COLD. TOOK JEEP CHEROKEE TO 2 DEALERSHIP ONE REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERTY IS STILL TURNS OFF WITHIN 3 MINUTES AND IT GETS COLD. SOFTWARE UPDATE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. IT MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL/WIRING PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON HEATED STEERING WHEEL AT JEEP FORUMS AND CARGURU WEBSITE. I WAS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS HOW TO FIX IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2020
THE CAR HAS A SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ARE LIT RED FOR EXAMPLE THE PARKING, REVERSE, DRIVE, NEUTRAL. THE CAR STARTED DRIVING REALLY ROUGH AND NOW THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE. BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND 1 MONTH AGO AND IT IS ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 19,000 MILES AND WHEN I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THEN THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM CHARGING SOME PEOPLE BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AS WELL AS CAUSING LEAKS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT HOME THEN WHEN TURNED ON THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS WENT OFF A COUPLE TIMES BY RESTARTING THE ENGINE BUT NOW IT ALWAYS STAYS ON AS WELL AS CAUSES A RATTLING NOISE AS WELL AS VERY ROUGH DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARS AND ALL GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS TURN RED, SO NO IDEA WHAT GEAR I'M IN. MUST SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND RESTART, WHICH FIXES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE RESTART ATTEMPTS BEFORE LIGHTS GO OFF.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE AND THE LIGHTS NEXT TO MY GEAR SHIFT ALL TURN RED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A JEEP CHEROKEE ONLY ISSUE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR EITHER GOT THEIR CAR BACK WITHOUT THE ISSUE BEING RESOLVED OR THE DEALER DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE IT OR THE CAR CAME BACK IN WORSE CONDITION THAN BEFORE. THIS IS CLEARLY A JEEP CHEROKEE MANUFACTURING FAULT THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED WITH A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE AND JEEP SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I?VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND WOULD REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL SINCE THIS SEEM TO BE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND IT ALSO SEEMS THAT JEEP IS BOTH CARING THAT MUCH ABOUT IT. THEY SAY WE NEED TO CHANGE THE SHIFTER. CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 25K MILES. THIS IS HAPPENING VERY OFTEN NOW. AND TO HAVE THE CAR TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON IS NOT A SOLUTION TO ME AND MANY OTHER JEEP BUYERS. COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED AND WOULD NEVER BUY A JEEP CHEROKEE AGAIN. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
CONTINUALLY GETTING SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THEN ALL GEARS LIGHT UP RED, FOR EXAMPLE, PDRN. I HAVE HEARD OF MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND HEARD THAT THE CAR MAY EVEN LOCK UP. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNINGS COME ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. ALSO HARD KNOCK WHEN CAR IS SHIFTING GEARS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 25, 2020, crash
MY JEEP HAS ABOUT 26,000 MILES ON IT, SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, IT HAS BEEN TOWED 6 TIMES FOR ENGINE FAILURE. MY ENGINE IS BURNING THE OIL, WITH OUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHUTS OFF. THE DEALER INSISTS THIS IS NORMAL, BUT IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR TO ABSORB OR BURN OIL. *TR