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, Feb 1, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HAD MY "SERVICE MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT" CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE PTU (POWER TRANSFER UNIT). I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ENGINE COIL IN THIS CAR AND I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THEN I AM AWARE OF. SOMETIMES MY CAR WILL ALSO TELL ME I HAVE A FLAT TIRE AND THEN A MINUTE LATER THE SENSOR WILL SHOW THAT THE TIRE IS OKAY.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 29, 2021
ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER BEZEL LIGHT UP & SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHT ON SCREEN APPEARS. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY & SO FAR HAS RESET WHEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF& RESTARTED. DEALER SAYS PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER & I NEED TO PAY $200 DEDUCTIBLE BECAUSE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES SINCE 2014. SHOULD BE ON RECALL & FIXED. MANY OWNERS REPORT CONDITION OFTEN REAPPEARS. VEHICLE COULD LOCK UP TRANSMISSION OR BRAKE NOT SET PROPERLY. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 28, 2021
THE CAR STALLS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED AT AND SAYS ' SHIFT TO PARK' AND THEN DIES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN GOING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT ALSO WILL DO THE SAME THING IF THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL BECAUSE THE ENGINE BURNS OIL..THIS IS A DESIGN OF THE CAR BUT DOES NOT NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF THE OIL BEING LOW. IT'S MANUAL SAY THE CAR SHOULD CHANGE OIL EVERY 5000 MILES BUT THE TECHNICIANS FOR THIS BRAND SAY YOU SHOULD DO IT MORE OFTEN. AGAIN NO WARNING JUST DIES. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BOTH TWO THE DEALER WORKING ON MY CAR AND JEEP CORPORATE.
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
Power train, Jan 22, 2021
MY 2017 JEEP CURRENTLY HAS JUST OVER 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE JUST STARTED RECEIVING A MESSAGE ON MY DASH THAT SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER". WHEN IT COMES ON, ALL OF THE RED LIGHTS NEXT TO MY SHIFTER COME ON (P, R, D, ETC). THE LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERY TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING. I CONTACTED A FEW GARAGES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS OR KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
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
Engine, Jan 17, 2021
I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR TWO MONTHS AND DROVE LESS THAN 2000 MILES AND MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE APPARENTLY BURNED OFF MOST OF THE OIL WITHIN THAT TIME AND NO LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OIL WAS LOW. I WOULD START DRIVING MY CAR AND IT WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS NO REASON WHY A OIL LIGHT SHOULDN'T WARN YOU, THE ONLY WARNING YOU GET IS YOUR CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS NOT SAFE! HERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/JEEP/CHEROKEE/ENGINE-BURNING-OIL-PROBLEMS.PHP#:~:TEXT=ENGINE%20BURNING%20OIL%20PROBLEM%20OF%20THE%202017%20JEEP,INDICATION%20OF%20ANY%20LOW%20OIL%20UNTIL%20THE%20STALL
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!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 15, 2021
I BOUGHT A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED 10/31/2020. AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS MY CAR HAS STARTED AND I DRIVE ABOUT 1000 FEET AND MY CAR DIES. FLASHES RETURN TO PARK AND IT SHUTS OFF. MY CAR WILL START BACK AFTER ROLLING OVER A FEW TIMES. THIS IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IF I PULL OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE AND MY CAR DIES I'M GOING TO HAVE A WREAK. I READ MULTIPLE OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AT HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/JEEP/CHEROKEE/ENGINE-SHUT-OFF-WITHOUT-WARNING-PROBLEMS.PHP I REALLY HOPE THIS PROBLEM CAN GET SOLVED AND BECOME RECALLED.
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
Power train, Jan 11, 2021
WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET IT TO GO BACK TO DRIVE.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2021
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ENGAGES AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER ILLUMINATE A D VEHICLE REFUSES TO GIVE FULL POWER WHEN IN MOTION
Service brakes, Jan 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S FRIEND OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS FRIEND WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WAS FIRM. THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT, WHO WORKS AS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT CALLED VICTORVILLE MOTORS (14617 CIVIC DR, VICTORVILLE, CA 92394, (760) 843-8317) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,622.
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
Power train, Dec 22, 2020
AT 54,00 MILES SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON CONTROL PANELS AND RED LIGHT ON ALL SHIFTING GEARS WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TURNED CAR OFF THEN TURN CAR BACK ON --SERVICE SHIFTER WAS GONE OFF PANEL 12/17/20202 HAPPEN AGAIN 12/21 SAME THING HAPPEN , TURN CAR OFF AND TURN CAR BACK ON
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.
Engine, Dec 20, 2020
USING EXCESSIVE OIL WITH NO LIGHTS COMING ON. CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A HWY TODAY WITH NO WARNINGS. GET IT BACK HOME AND IT IS 2 QUARTS LOW ON OIL AGAIN. I PUT OIL IN IT 1 1/2 WEEKS AGO.
Power train, Dec 18, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON HAVING ALL THE LIGHTS ON SHIFTER GO RED LOCKING YOUR CAR. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 1 WEEK ONLY THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE DEALER SAYS IT CAN THROW YOUR CAR INTO PARK WHILE DRIVING!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I HAVE 16 YEAR OLD THAT DRIVES THIS CAR. HOW AWFUL OF HE GOT INTO A WRECK DUE TO THIS. DEALER SAYS CAN NOT FIX IF LIGHT IS OFF WHICH IT IS BY THE TIME YOU BRING IT IN!! THE SHIFTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 17, 2020
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT, PARK ASSIST UNAVAILABLE AND SERVICE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY BUT SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT STILL COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO THEN REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON RANDOMLY WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF.
Power train, Dec 17, 2020
I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE AND ON THE SCREEN APPEARED "SERVICE SHIFTER." ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER WERE LIT (INSTEAD OF JUST THE GEAR THAT THE CAR IS IN BEING LIT). THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO OPERATE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES BUT I ONLY DROVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE. WHEN I PARKED, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT BACK ON. THE PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME.
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