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, Jul 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL SELECTIONS LIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED S WHILE DRIVING AND THEN CAN'T BE RESET UNTIL CAR IS SHUT OFF. THE CODE BLOCKS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 8, 2020, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 06/27/2020. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A ROAD FLIPPED 6-8 TIMES AND IMPACTED 3 TREES. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.*DT*JB
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.
Steering, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE GEARS LIGHT UP. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE PART REPAIRED WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,600.
Power train, Jul 6, 2020
THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT ALL CAME ON (P, R, N, D) AND ON MY DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL IT SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER". I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTED, WHICH CORRECTED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER IT HAS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. IT HAPPENED TWICE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND ONCE WHEN IT WAS MOVING ON A CITY STREET.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 5, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL SHIFT GEARS (PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE,DRIVE ) LIGHT UP IN RED AFTER DRIVING ON MOUNTAIN ROAD. PULLED TO SIDE AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESET LIGHT BUT CAME ON AGAIN 20 MIN LATER . APPARENTLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH JEEPS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 2, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING APPEARS AND ALL RED LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE SHIFTER. TODAY WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AND MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TRYING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Power train, Jul 1, 2020
BOUGHT THIS 2017 JEEP NEW WITH 23 MILES ON IT. WITHIN A YEAR THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ALUMINATE. THERE IS A CONSTANT WARNING ON THE DASH THAT CAN'T BE CLEARED UNTIL IT IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. RESTART WOULD CLEAR THE LIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM M IT HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE. OF COURSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW BUT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND HAS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON MULTIPLE THREADS. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO RANDOM POWER LOSS ISSUES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS A RECALL.
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
Power train, Jun 25, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS CAME ON PRND AND THEN SAID SERVICE SHIFTER. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE WARNING GOES OFF. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND WHEN YOU TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER THEY CHARGE $180 TO DIAGNOSE AND THEN SAY THAT IT IS NOT THE ENGINE SO IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT DON'T HAVE $180 EVERY TIME THIS LIGHT COMES ON AND I'M NOT KNOWING WHAT GEAR I'M IN BECAUSE ALL OF THEM ARE HIGHLIGHTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING DOWN THE STREET AND ALSO WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 23, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COMES UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER ON THE DASH, AND PRND LIGHTS UP RED WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE ENGINE OFF SOMETIMES MAKES THE MESSAGE GO AWAY, OTHER TIMES IT PERSISTS. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND 11,000 MILES. HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND DEALERS CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 21, 2020
SHIFTER ERROR THEN TURNS OFF RANDOMLY. ESPECIALLY ON TURNS
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'
Engine, Jun 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP HAS JUST SHUT OFF ON ME ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASION LEAVING ME TO JUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN WHEN I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT JUST KEPT TURNING OVER AND TOOK A WHILE TO START BACK UP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ACCELERATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *BF*JB
Power train, Jun 18, 2020
JEEP CHEROKEE IS GETTING A "SERVICE SHIFTER" ERROR. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP AT ONE TIME. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO TURN THE JEEP OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN MOVING AND STATIONARY. HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. *TR
Engine, Jun 17, 2020
JEEP STALLS EVERY A COUPLE OF WEEKS. DETERMINED THAT THE JEEP BURNS OIL AND WITH NO INDICATION THE CAR WILL JUST STALL WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. WHEN IT STALLS I DETERMINED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS EXTREMELY LOW. THIS HAPPENS WITH LESS THAN 4000 MILES. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS. VERY SCARING WHEN IT JUST STALLS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. NO WAY SHOULD A VEHICLE BURN THAT MUCH OIL WITH ONLY DRIVING 5000 MILES OR LESS. *TR