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, Jun 21, 2020
JEEP CHEROKEE 2017 LAST MONTH AT ABOUT 28,000 I WAS DRIVING ON THE THRU WAY WHEN THE SHIFTER LIGHTS ALL LIT UP RED AND THE DASH SAID SERVICE SHIFTER. I PULL OVER, SWITCHED CAR ON AND OFF AND IT WAS FIXED. ONE MONTH LATER, MY CAR WAS SITTING IN PARK - I MOVED FROM MY PARKING SPOT TO A NEW ONE- PLACED JEEP IN PARK AND THEN NOTICED ALL OF THE LIGHTS RED ON THE SHIFTER AND THE DASH SAYING 'SERVICE SHIFTER'
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 31, 2020
THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW STARTING IN JAN 21, 2020. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND SHUT OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AND WOULD NOT. WAITED ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND IT STARTED. AS I SLOWED DOWN FOR ANOTHER STOP SIGN IT SHUT OFF BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. AS I SLOWED DOWN FOR ANOTHER STOP SIGN I TURNED RIGHT WITH OUT STOPPING AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALL THE IDIOT LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON. BATTERY WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. CAR WOULD NOT START FOR 45 MINUTES AND THEN IT FINALLY STARTED.CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEIR ANSWER WAS 'IF WE CAN'T DUPLICATE IT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT IN'. WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSE TOO MEAN? IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 5-13-20, 5-15-20 AND 5-31-20. ALL THESE TIMES IT WAS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ALONG AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. ON 5-31-20 I WAS IN A TRAFFIC LANE MAKING A RIGHT TURN WITH OTHER TRAFFIC BEHIND WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS BEEPING HIS HORN FOR ME TO MOVE AS HE HAD NOT KNOWN MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. WOULD HATE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN IF I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE. JUST HAD THE BATTERY REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY ON 5-28-20. ENGINE OIL GAUGE READ 54% NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT SURE DOESN'T SOUND SAFE TO ME. CALLING THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO GET AN APPOINTMENT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 17, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS LOW OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WE HAVE THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED MILEAGE BETWEEN CHANGES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MAIN ROADS DURING TIMES OF HIGH TRAFFIC AND HAS PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS STARTED HAPPENING WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES NOW. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M TIRED OF DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2020
SHIFTER SERVICE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD, GOING ABOUT 20MPH WHEN IT WAS LIKE MY JEEP SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IT COMPLETELY STALLED. THE BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND A MESSAGE POPPED UP THAT SAID VEHICLE MUST BE IN GEAR, ALTERNATING WITH A SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE TO SELECT GEAR MESSAGE. I WAS ABLE TO SWING IT INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I PUT IT IN PARK BUT THE ERROR WOULDN'T GO AWAY AND WHEN I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND HIT THE GAS PEDAL, IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULDN'T START. I SAT THERE FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START BACK UP. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS AND DRIVE THE APPROX 2 MILES HOME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 9, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH ( APRIL). IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS. I'VE LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT IS COMING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALL THE LIGHTS NEAR THE SHIFTER ARE LIT UP. ALSO THE VEHICLE JUMPS INTO GEAR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 17, 2020
*SERVICE SHIFTER* *IN MOTION* *STALLED* THE FOLLOWING IS THE SAME ISSUE I HAD WITH MY 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE. I HAD TRADED THAT VEHICLE IN FOR A NEWER 2017 MODEL BECAUSE OF THIS... I HAVE A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND SAY "SERVICE SHIFTER, PLACE CAR IN P OR N" - I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE AND HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. WHEN I TRY TO RESTART, THE ENGINE HAS A TOUGH TIME KICKING BACK ON.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS RECURRENCE AND MUST BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I HAVE MADE. THE FIRST REPORT WAS WITH MY 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2020
I HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH HAVE TO GET THE OIL CHANGED WAY TO MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE. I USUALLY CAN ONLY GO ABOUT 1000 MILES BEFORE I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL, OR ADD OIL TO IT. I HAVE CONTINUED TO MAKE MENTION OF THIS, AND THE WORKERS FROM THE DEALERSHIP, KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING IS WRONG AND IT JUST NEEDS AND OIL CHANGE. I HAVE HAD 11 OIL CHANGES, AND WILL BE GOING TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER, AND HAVE HAD TO PUT COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF BOTTLES OF OIL INTO MY JEEP. ITS VERY FRUSTRATING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2020
"SERVICE SHIFTER" HAS POPPED UP NUMEROUS TIMES WITH ALL GEARS LIT UP ( PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE AND MANUAL) . THE FIRST TIME, IT POPPED UP AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE 2ND TIME, IT POPPED UP WHILE IN DRIVE GOING LESS THAN 45MPH THROUGH TOWN. THE NEXT TIME, ( MARCH 9, 2020) IT POPPED UP WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH, 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITHIN 45 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS, SO HOW DO I GET IT FIXED, UNLESS THERE'S A RECALL? THIS HAS TO BE A DRIVETRAIN ISSUE AS IT AFFECTS THE GEAR SHIFTER?
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 10, 2020
DRIVING 2017 JEEP WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY.. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND JEEP STALLED ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. WENT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR, WAS TOLD IT NEEDED AND OIL CHANGE?!! UNACCEPTABLE!! IF ISSUE ISN'T CORRECTED, LEGAL ACTION WILL BE PURSUED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2020
2017 JEEP TRAILHAWK. BOUGHT NEW. CAR BEGAN RANDOMLY DISPLAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE ON DASH JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36K MILES. LIGHTS UP GEAR SHIFTER LIGHTS AS WELL. COMES AND GOES. ONCE ON WON'T GO AWAY UNLESS CAR IS SHUT OFF. CANT SEE SPEED OR OTHER DISPLAYS. HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION OR AT STOP LIGHTS, ON SUBURBAN STREETS. ANY WEATHER . ANY SPEED. MAY BE WEEKS BEFORE IT COMES ON, OR DAYS OR EVEN HOURS. WHEN YOU SHUT OFF CAR SOMETIMES IT GOES AWAY, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. DODGE JEEP DEALER DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2020
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' WARNING POPS UP AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURN RED. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE I AM DRIVING AND SCARES ME. IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO SEE ANY OTHER SCREEN WHILE ON. I HAVE HEARD THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT GO INTO PARK... I HAVE READ 100'S OF OTHER S HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2014-2018 MODELS. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ONCE IN REVERSE BACKING OUT THE DRIVEWAY, AND ONCE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70+ MPH. I STOPPED THE CAR BOTH TIMES, SHIFT IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE WARNING AND LIGHTS WENT OFF. BUT WHAT IF I CAN NOT PUT IT IN PARK NEXT TIME. WHAT HAPPENS THEN. THE DEALERS ARE REPLACING WIRING HARNESS ONLY TO HAVE THE ISSUE HAPPEN AGAIN. THERE IS NO CLEAR REASON OR FIX FOR THIS ISSUE SO IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING. STATIONARY, OR IN MOTION. WARNING CAN'T BE FIXED AND BLOCKS READOUT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT AND NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 26, 2020
JEEP THROWING 'SERVICE SHIFTER' MESSAGE AND LIGHTING UP THE ENTIRE SHIFTER. LOCKING BRAKES, STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF IT ONLY CONTINUOUSLY TRIES TO TURN OVER INSTEAD OF SHUTTING OFF. THIS STARTED AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ON A STRAIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD.*DT CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER WIRING HARNESS IN THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE A PERMANENT FIX. VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN AND CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE.*JB
Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WHILE MOVING. ALL THE SHIFT POSITIONS LIGHT UP ON THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE MAIN DISPLAY SHOWS "SERVICE SHIFTER". AFTER RESEARCH, I FIND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE JEEP CHEROKEE MESSAGE BOARDS ONLINE. MANY STATING THAT IT COMES BACK AFTER "REPAIR". HTTPS://CA.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T68742_DS990296 FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2019. NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER CODE. APPEARED WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. JEEP DEALER FIXED. HAS OCCURED AGAIN AT 48,800 MILES. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO PAY FOR THIS DIAGNOSTIC ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER ARE LIT UP AND CODE WILL NOT DISAPPEAR FROM DISPLAY ON DASH.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2020
RANDOMLY GET ALL THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS LIGHT UP AND MESSAGE APPEARS ON SCREEN SAYING "SERVICE SHIFTER". THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO GO AWAY. AT FIRST WAS VERY INFREQUENT BUT LATELY A LOT MORE FREQUENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2020
THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. SERVICE SHIFTER COMES ON RANDOMLY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON A CITY STREET. UNKNOWN REASON
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2020
GEAR SHIFTER REQUIRES SERVICE AS WELL AS 4WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE REQUIRES SERVICE. BOTH DUMMY LIGHTS CAME ON AND CONTINUE TO POP UP. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS ALOT OF PPL ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE APPLIED FOR THESE ISSUES! DUMMY LIGHTS ARE POPPING UP WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS HIGHWAYS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2020
I PURCHASED MY JEEP BACK IN APRIL 2019 AND I HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE MONTH TO CURRENT. MY CAR WILL LITERALLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WILL READ "SERVICE SHIFT GEAR". I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF, WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES FOR IT TO CRANK BACK UP AND THE THE MESSAGE GOES AWAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND I HAVE LOOKED THIS ISSUE UP AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIPS. NOTHING SPECIFICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF IT WILL JUST DO IT RANDOMLY.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS NOW HAPPENING EVERY TIME THE JEEP IS DRIVEN, SOMETIMES BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2020
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - I STARTED VEHICLE THIS MORNING AND THE SHIFTER WAS LIT UP IN RED LIGHTS; SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME. I TURNED CAR ON/OFF AND THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ALL RED, THEN THE DASH LIT UP WITH "SERVICE SHIFTER". LOOKING ONLINE AT CARGURUS.COM, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND JEEP HAS NOT FIXED IT ALOT OF DEALERS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS! HELP