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
1,334 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 18, 2022
Power transfer unit went out on it's own while driving car normally. Car was kept in excellent condition with no prior issues. Dealership would not help cover and quoted at $4500 for repair. Extended warranty (https://prestige-warranty.com/) will not cover the cost as they label the PTU as "different" than a normal transfer case that they would cover. So I purchased a Trailhawk rated Jeep Cherokee that has a specially designed PTU to go off-roading that very commonly breaks and goes out, rendering the Trailhawk as a broken RWD SUV. A recall campaign (W48) was issued, but only updated software in 2014-2017 Jeep vehicles to prevent the vehicle from rolling in park AFTER the PTU part is broken. There were NO efforts made to recall and replace the PTU part itself which inevitably breaks in every 2014-2017 Trailhawk vehicle. This is not acceptable.
Power train, Nov 17, 2022
This past Sunday night, 11/13/22, I experienced a 9-speed transmission failure in my vehicle. The car immediately lost the ability to propel itself, and I was forced to veer onto the shoulder, to narrowly avoid being rear-ended. My car only has 89,440 miles on it. It is currently at a reputable transmission shop, where a diagnosis determined that the transmission experienced a mechanical failure, and would need to be replaced. I was also informed that parts to complete a replacement, are "on national backorder, with no ETA". This leads me to believe that there are a large number of failures, or Chrysler doesn't want to produce new faulty parts, to replace original faulty parts. Additional research unearthed overwhelming evidence of this being an ongoing issue with Chrysler’s 9-speed transmissions, throughout their product line. The car has not been taken to a Chrysler dealership as of yet, as additional towing charges would be incurred. Symptoms of a problem only appeared days prior to the failure, in the form of a few "hard shifts". From that time until the failure was less than 200 miles. The only warning light that appeared was after the transmission failed. I believe Chrysler is knowingly selling a defective product, with no real solution, and should be responsible for all costs associated with replacement, service, and alternate transportation (towing, parts, labor, rental fees, etc.). Chrysler's 9-speed transmissions should all be recalled, to prevent people from being seriously injured or killed.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 26, 2022
Abs and parking brake keeps initiating while driving my vehicle. Concerned about an accident. I have already had the shifter sensor replaced and still doing the same thing
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2022
The service shifter message came on the screen and all the lights on the shifter lit up. The engine would jerk or completely shut off while driving. Speed increased going downhill in cruise control. I brought it in 6 months ago and they said it was almost out of oil and very dirty. So they filled it without changing the filter. The dealer claimed to have updated the computer. Now the service shifter message is coming on again and all the lights come on next to the shifter. They are fixing that today - charging me for replacing the shifter and it taking only 1/2 hour. I think the charge is $500 - $600. They said it would not be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty included when purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles less than 1 year ago.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 20, 2022
While driving the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stops running without any warning. Engine stops. Car just coasts. PRNDL indicator (D for drive) on instrument cluster flashes instead of a constant D. Then some sort of messages comes up similar to "shift to neutral to start engine". Car will not restart. Car coasts to stop without power and no power steering. Then I need to turn ignition off. I will then cycle locks (locked then unlocked). Then turn on ignition. From here the car attempts to start but it is not an immediate start up like normal. The gauge needles (speedometer and tachometer) both go all the way to the right while the car attempts to restart but this startup takes about 10+ seconds of attempted cranking to finally restart. This is a long clicking sound before restart. This has happened 3-4 times now in the 30 days. Most recently on a main road where I had to coast without power and power steering to the shoulder. I have not yet been to the dealer. Car is out of warranty.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2022
Periodically the light comes on and says "service shifter"?
Power train, Oct 7, 2022
Getting "Service Shifter" warning light and Jeep doesn't have a resolution for this. I have not been stranded yet or paid for service, but based on what I'm finding, sounds like both are a strong possibility and resolution appears to extremely unlikely!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 7, 2022
When accelerating the vehicle has a hard shift every now and then that’s very noticeable. Seems to be slipping or having trouble shifting occasionally when trying to get up to speed.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2022
The lights on gear shift all comes on all at once and the computer says shifter needs servicing I turn the jeep off and turn back on and everything is back to normal
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2022
The shifter service light comes on a lot when I am driving and it scares me. I had to get off the road and turn the car off and back on for the light to go off!
Power train, Sep 16, 2022
I see that the 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokees, were recalled for a SERVICE SHIFTER, my 2017 is now showing the same warning. I seems to me that JEEP has never fixed the problem, and the 2017 should also have the same recall. I have to pay $167.00 for a diagnostic and then what ever the cost of the repair - I am very confused why my jeep does not fall under the recall as it is obvious to me that the issue with the electronic shifter was never fixed!
Power train, Sep 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was displaying a failure with the power transfer unit (PTU). The contact stated that the PTU needed to be replaced and the Service Shifter needed to be repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the part was on back order. The service shifter had been repaired through a software update under recall. The contact stated that the service shifter failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Power train, Sep 11, 2022
The PTU failed on my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The SVC 4WD warning light came on my vehicle and the 4x4 system is not working. I took the vehicle to my local Jeep dealership. The Jeep dealership performed a diagnostic and inspection of the vehicle and determined that the vehicle has a bad PTU and needs to be replaced. The dealership gave me a quote of $2,800 to replace the bad PTU. The dealership informed me that it wasn’t covered under warranty and there is no recall on my vehicle. I did not get the PTU replaced. When I did a Google search I found there is an extremely large number of Jeep Cherokee owners with bad PTUs without a recall. Apparently Jeep did recall some 2014 - 2017 Cherokees, but the recall is VIN specific. There is clearly an issue with the Jeep Cherokee PTUs. This is unacceptable!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2022
Gear shifter errors and brings up "Service Shifter." Vehicle has to be completely shut off to clear error. Whewn the notificaion appears vehicle chages gears roughly and doesnt initiate park. Error has happend on highways, city street, or whenever the vehicle is placed into drive. It had only happend a couple times until receintly where its becomming more frequent, every other day as of now.. Dealer was unable to replicate the error, its to sporadic, and a OBDII reader shows nothing. I have pictures from a couple of the most recent times
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2022
Service shifter warning continuous for 12 months. Recalled on the 2017 Grand Cherokee but this is am issue with the Cherokee latitude. This is a very serious safety issue & needs recalled for more vehicles!
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2022
Vehicle gives “service shifter” notification and all lights on shifter become illuminated on shifter.
Service brakes, Aug 22, 2022
Weather condition was partly overcast, roads were dry, temperature was in the mid 80s F. 1.) I was stopped at a stop light with my foot on the brake and vehicle was in neutral. When I shifted into gear, without taking my foot off of the brake, the alarm telling me to put my foot on the brake before shifting into gear went off. The brake system felt normal, correct foot pressure and in the mostly up position. I shifted into park, still keeping my foot on the brake. The warning alarm went off so I shifted into gear and proceeded. 2.) I reached a speed of 30mph. When I came to my turn, 1500 feet from where the stop light was, I stepped on the brake. The brake pedal had pressure for about a second then the pedal went soft and all the way to the floor. The brakes were in a complete failure at this moment. 3.) Instead of turning I continued straight and shifted into manual gear, downshifting to slow the vehicle. I also activated my emergency lights. 4.) When I reached a speed of 5 mph I pulled over to the side of the road and activated the emergency brake. My vehicle skidded and then stopped.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2022
Vehicle turns on but will not start. Changed battery and spark plugs
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2022
We first noticed the "svc fwd'' warning light. Intermittently at first and going off after driving a mile or so. We were first told it was probably a wiring problem, possibly a worn and exposed connector or a bad fuse but neither was found. Only after the ''svc fwd'' light started to remain on, did we have a diagnostic run and then were told the PTU had gone out and that this is a known common problem with Jeep Cherokee's 2014 - 2017.In fact, so bad a problem, it warranted a recall. Thousands of jeeps are having this problem but the recall is VIN specific. Ours is a 2017 and is NOT on the recall although it is now dangerous to drive. We are essentially paying for a vehicle we cannot drive and have been waiting over 5 weeks now for a replacement PTU. Even so, some of the replacement PTU's are ,themselves being recalled for being faulty. Our warranty has run out. The mileage is now just over 60,000 and now we feel we are being pushed to cover the cost even though this is a known faulty part.
Service brakes, Aug 9, 2022
Parking brake actuator and Parking Brake Module--WATER SOAKED Car was towed to dealer as it was inoperable due to the parking brake being locked in position and I was unable to release. The Mechanic replaced left side parking brake actuator as it was locked up. He then found it still didn't work and found the parking brake module water soaked underneath the spare tire and trim. He also had to replace the park brake switch. He did not know what caused it and I'm terrified that this issue is going to happen again and causing me danger while driving this vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2022
Trouble with power transfer unit and dealer mechanic said it needs to be replaced. Noticed there has been a recall involving other vehicles and was concerned that about my jeep Cherokee and the information from the dealer mechanic today.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2022
My Power Transfer Unit is bad on my 2017 Jeep Cherokee. My light came on that says service 4WD. I took it to the Jeep Dealer who states that my Jeep showed a code c14a7-97 and it said my PTU is bad.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 2, 2022
in august 2021 my got a service parking brake warning. took to dealership to make a appointment got more warning on the drive there for traction control,brake warning and check engine. got a appointment for later in week. asked was it OK to drive was told yes it was OK. got in car to leave and every 4 to 6 inches parking brake would lock up. tried a few times to move car but couldn't go any where keep locking brakes up. went inside told service advisor said i would have to leave it with them. called for a ride and while waiting for ride service advisor tried to move car and same thing happened to him. they replaced parking brake module. then in January 2022 left work and got service parking brake warning again then traction control also after a few miles. managed to make it home and called dealership and got a appointment for a few days later. when i tried to go to work next time car would not start battery was dead. had it towed to dealership and the brake module and terminal was corroded and green also battery was shorted out and would not hold a charge { fried the battery}. had to replace battery,control module and wiring harness this time. guess i was lucky it didn't catch fire this time or it happen while driving at highway speeds.
Service brakes, Jul 29, 2022
Parking break has unexpectedly engaged multiple times while vehicle is at stop lights, transmission is in Drive, or while parked and transmission is in Park. I have not yet experienced this issue while vehicle is in motion.
Power train, Jul 28, 2022
Power Transfer Unit falls off because of acknowledged manufactured defect: 1.While it seems extremely unlikely for all bolts of the power transfer unit to eject and/or shear, it is worth noting that increased stress & strain upon an un-torqued bolt could lead to such a condition. Review of the Jeep Cherokee Forum resulted in discovery of identical incidents associated with the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, specifically in the affected model range of Safety Recall W47. 3.Safety Recall W47 States: “The PTU on about 67,240 of the above vehicles may have been built to allow relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft. This condition may result in the teeth of the input splines wearing off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, torque cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission, which will result in a loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the PARK function while stationary. A loss of motive power or PARK function can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside the vehicle. 4.The repair completed via Safety Recall W47 was: “Reprogram the affected vehicles with software for the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) and the Electric Park Brake (EPB) that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive function and prevent rolling in the PARK selection by activating the electric park brake if a failed input spline occurs” 5.Safety Recall W47 did not correct the root cause of the problem, which was a manufactured defect creating relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft. Improper tolerance of high velocity rotational components results in high vibrations that propagate through ancillary equipment. Damage and ware caused by high vibrations is a scientifically plausible explanation for sheared bolts.