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, Sep 26, 2020
MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT AND SUDDENLY MY "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL JEEPS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $300 TO REPAIR THIS ERROR MESSAGE. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY COMPLAINT IS RECORDED. THIS REPAIR THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT IS A VERY SERIOUS HIT TO MY FAMILY'S BUDGET.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2020
'SERVICE SHIFTER' NOTIFICATION AFTER STARTING CAR, STAYED ON DURING ENTIRE DRIVE UNTIL CAR WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WHEN THE NOTIFICATION DISAPPEARED. WHILE NOTIFICATION WAS ON DASHBOARD, ALL RED LIGHTS (INDICATING PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE, DRIVE) WERE LIT UP RED ON SHIFTER. NOTIFICATION APPEARED INITIALLY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND DID NOT DISAPPEAR THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DRIVE (0-70MPH) UNTIL VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF.
Power train, Sep 25, 2020
TRANSMISSION LOST POWER AND LOSS OF PROPULSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN PARK., HAD NO WARNING, STRANDED 477 MILES FROM HOME. HAVING SOMEONE FROM COLORADO COMING TO TOW IT BACK TO COLORADO. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH JEEP BUT MINE WAS NOT ENCLUDED. STOPPED FOR GAS WENT TO TAKE OFF TO GET ON INTERSTATE AND QUIT. AND HERE WE SIT. IT HAD A RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 2017 FOR A SHIFT CONTROL MODULE PLUS TRANSMISSION UPDATE WHICH WE HAD DONE, WASN'T NO ISSUE TILL TODAY. SEEMS IT'S A PROBLEM IN JEEPS. THANK YOU.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 25, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE HAS BEEN COMING ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER COME ON AS WELL. THE PAST 10 DAYS THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN (NO POWER) WHILE DRIVING. THEN WHEN I TRY TO RESTART IT HAS TAKEN A BIT BEFORE IT WILL START. I HAVE HAD TO TURN HAZARD LIGHTS ON IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WHERE I AM STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 10 DAYS. DRY WEATHER, GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH. NO RECALL BUT I SEE MANY OF THESE SAME ISSUES ONLINE IN BLOGS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTIER GOING OFF WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY!
Power train, Visibility/wiper, Sep 24, 2020
THE SHIFTER DOES NOT SHIFT THE GEARS CORRECTLY NOT COMMUNICATING TO THE ENGINE ALL LIGHTS ARE RED ON SHIFTER GEAR MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HOSE WAS NEVER ADDED TO PASSENGERS SIDE MAKING VISIBILITY HARD IN SLUSH OR WINTER WEATHER WITH ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE HOSE HOOKED UP IT DOESN'T CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER KEEPS POPPING ON MY DASHBOARD. CAR CAN BE TURNED OFF, KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION, THEN WHEN STARTED AGAIN THE MESSAGE WILL GO AWAY. MESSAGE WILL REAPPEAR AFTER ABOUT 100 MILES OF DRIVING. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN!
Power train, Structure, Sep 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EASTGATE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (500 SHADELAND AVE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219; (317) 352-9361) WHO WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO THERE NOT BEING A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SHIFTER AND THE WIRING HOUSING. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE THEY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE TEMPERATURE WAS WARMER, SHE COULD HEAR WATER MOVING AROUND INSIDE THE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 516.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGULARLY. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED MANY TIMES TO CLEAR THE FAULT. MANY CASES OF THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE TYPES REQUIRING A RECALL
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 22, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON. 2017 CHEROKEE HAS BEEN HAPENNING SINCE 20,000 - NOW HAVE 30,000 . HAVE SEEN AND HEARD HORROR STORIES. DEALER SAYS NO ISSUES. WANTS TO CHARGE FOR REPAIRS.
Engine, Sep 22, 2020
I'VE NEEDED TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 3200 MILES AND WAS PUT ON AN "OIL CONSUMPTION MONITORING PROGRAM" WHERE I RETURNED THE CAR EVERY 1000 MILES FOR MEASURING THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THIS WAS DONE EVERY 1000 MILES AND THE CAR NOW HAS 15,700 MILES. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TIME BEFORE LAST, I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT ANOTHER 1000 MILES, RETURN AND IF OIL MUST BE ADDED, CHRYSLER WILL "REPLACE THE ENGINE." WHEN I SCHEDULED MY LAST CONSUMPTION CHECK, I WAS TOLD CHRYSLER NOW UPPED THE CHECKING INTERVAL TO 1500 MILES. I THEREFOR DROVE THE CAR ANOTHER 500 MILES AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 9/21/2020 WHERE THE THE CAR WAS CHECKED IN. AFTER THE CAR WAS CHECKED, THE SERVICE CHECK IN GUY TOLD ME THEY ADDED ANOTHER QUART, AND THAT I NEEDED TO PUT YET ANOTHER "1500 TO 1700" MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THEN RETURN FOR ANOTHER FINAL CHECK, AND IF OIL WAS NEEDED, THEY WOULD (ONCE AGAIN) REPLACE THE ENGINE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE SERVICE PERSONAL, THAT IF THE ENGINE OIL QUANTITY DROPS TO TWO QUARTS BELOW FULL, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, AND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON & ALL LIGHTS IN GEAR SELECT COME ON. THIS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CAN ONLY FIND INVOICES FOR TWO TIMES. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY(SEPT 19,2020), THE CAR BEEPED GIVING ME A WARNING ON THE SCREEN TO SERVICE SHIFTER, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE LIT UP RED. I PULLED THE CAR OVER, SHUT.IT OFF FOR 30 MIN. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE WARNING WENT OFF SO FAR BUT HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT AGAIN YET.
Power train, Sep 19, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED AN UPDATE THEY DID THAT 2 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING. TOOK IT BACK NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SHIFTER AND COMPONENTS SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER POPS UP WHEN STARTING VEHICLE
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2020
I HAVE ERROR MESSAGES THAT DISPLAY SAYING SERVICE GEAR SHIFTER NOW AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNAVILABLE. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT CASE GENERALLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE SERVICE GEAR SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY GEAR SHIFTER LIGHT UP AS WELL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT 1X A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD I THINK I KNWO WHAT COULD BE CASING IT BUT WE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IF WE CANNOT GET THE CODE WE CANNOT FIX IT. UNFORTUNITLY WE WILL EITHER HAVE TO HAVE IT BROUGHT IN WHILE ITS DOING IT OR IT MAY HAVE TO COMPLETELY BREAK BEFORE WE CAN FIX IT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTEHR JEEPS SAME MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT MY VIN. I ASKED IF THIS WAS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTR AND WAS TOLD I DONT THINK SO. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH SINCE AND FOUND PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAVE ALMOST DIED. I HAVE RECORDS SHOWING THEY WERE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT OCCURED AND THERE JEEP LOCKED UP CASUING THEM TO BE HIT BY A SIMI TRUCK. THE JEEP WAS MANGLED. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES THE 1ST 4 OUR NOT MINE THE LAST IS AND I HAVE ONE OF ALL THE LIGHTS IN ON MY GEAR SHIFTER AS WELL BUT IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ANOTHER PICTURE.
Power train, Sep 17, 2020
SINCE ABOUT 5K MILES MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY. DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED AND SAID THERE'S NO CODES SO DON'T WORRY WITH IT. NOW EVERY TIME I MAKE A LEFT TURN IT COMES ON. CLEARS WHEN YOU TURN VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON UNTIL NEXT LEFT TURN. NOW I HAVE 122K ON IT STILL HAPPENS. SOMETIMES IT WILL CAUSE ERRATIC ACCELERATION. AT A STOP LIGHT IT WILL TURN ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND KILL THE ENGINE. AGAIN CLEARS WITH TURN OFF ON
Power train, Sep 16, 2020
SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DRIVING A LOT. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THEN RESTART. THIS IS DANGERS AS IT IS HAPPENING ON A HIGHWAY
Power train, Sep 16, 2020
WHEN I START MY CAR THE DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND ALL THE GEAR NAME LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP RED. THE NOTIFICATION ON THE DISPLAY WILL NOT GO AWAY AND THE LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON AND SOMETIMES WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY WHOLE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. OFTEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AS I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING TO PARK AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BUT MOST OFTEN AT LOWER LEVEL SPEEDS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
Power train, Sep 15, 2020
HAVING SERIOUS SHIFTING ISSUES AND IT IS BEING IGNORED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A CHARACTERISTIC FOR THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE.
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2020
THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING COMES UP ON THE SCREEN SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST TURNED ON AND OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT DO THE DEALER AND THEY SCANNED CODES AND THE CODE FOR A PROBLEM DETECTED WITH THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT MODULE CAME UP. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER REPLACED THE SHIFTER BEZEL AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THAT PART. THIS WAS DONE JULY 19, 2019. WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING AGAIN; SO NOW THE PART AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2020
THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, A SERVICE SHIFTER ERROR CODE. I HAD TO PULL OVER PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND IT RESET ITSELF. IN FEBRUARY 2019, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THEY FIXED THE ISSUE . THE PARTS WERE WARRANTIED FOR 2 YEARS OR 24,000 MILES ACCORDING TO WESTGATE JEEP IN RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA. A WEEK OR LATER THE GEAR SHIFT ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND THEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AT WESTGATE IN RALEIGH.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2020
ALL OF A SUDDEN "SERVICE SHIFTER" COME ON SCREEN WITH THE SHIFTER LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED RED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS MORNING THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE WIRES IN THE GEARSHIFT AND A PLASTIC PIECE HAVE TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT 38,103 MILES IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY ANYMORE, HAD IT HAPPENED UNDER 36,000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED
Power train, Sep 14, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER ADVISED TO LOOK ON INTERNET AND SEE THE CRASHES CAUSED BY NOT FIXING IT. HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO AND OUT OF GEAR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2020
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS I'M DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME UP ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN THE FRONT TIRES LOCK UP AND WON'T MOVE I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY TELL ME NOTHINGS WRONG WITH IT AND TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL THEY COULD RE-CREATE THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES