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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES AWAY, BUT DEALERS ARE SAYING THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT AND NO PROBLEM DETECTED BECAUSE IT GOES AWAY. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MULTIPLE OF OTHER JEEP CHEROKEES.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2020
I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT BEING ON. A FEW MONTHS AGO IT CAME ON AND I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT WENT OFF. THEN LATER IT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR IT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER JEEPS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND A TOTAL RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL THESE VEHICLES DRIVING OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORSE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS MATTER!
Engine, Jan 22, 2020
VEHICLE CAN STOP ABRUPTLY DUE TO LOW OIL AS THIS ENGINE IMPROPERLY BLOWS OIL OUT THE EXHAUST AT A VERY HIGH RATE. OUR VEHICLE BLOWS OUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN MONITERING THIS PROBLEM SINCE OCTOBER 2019 WHEN I FOUND THE OIL LEVEL WAS DOWN 2 QUARTS. THE DEALER WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR ELEVATE THE PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. WE ARE LEFT WITH A LEMON. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER IT HAD 11 MILES AT PURCHASE.THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A VALVE REPAIR OR A NEW ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2020
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY 2017 JEEP SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN AUTOMATIC MODE. A NOTIFICATION POPPED UP SAYING I NEEDED OT BE IN PARK TO SHIFT. MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I NEEDED TO SHUT IT OFF, WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON FOR IT TO RESTART. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND MY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SEE ME FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK. ONE OF THE TIMES IT HAPPENED, MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AND I REQUIRED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW MY CAR. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY LOOKE AT IT, THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG EXCEPT MAYBE I NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THEY DID THE UPDATE AND MY CAR WAS FINE UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME. MY DEALERSHIP CANNOT SEE ME FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF. I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTOSHOP AND THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND NOTICED THE SOFTWARE MAY NOT BE ALIGNED PROPERLY MEANING THE COMMUNICATION IS OFF. I AM FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THERE ARE NO WARNINGS WHEN THIS IS ABOUT OT HAPPEN. I FIRST GOT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS EXPECTING A BABY. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CHILD TO DAYCARE IN CASE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AND SOMEONE HITS US FROM BEHIND. I WILL NEVER GET A JEEP AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2020
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, A SERVICE SHIFTER ALERT ON DASHBOARD. ALL LIGHTS SURROUNDING SHIFTER LIT UP. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I TURNED THE BAR BACK ON, THE ALERTS WERE GONE.
Power train, Jan 20, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARED ON DASH DISPLAY AND ALL INDICATORS ON SHIFTER LIT UP. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN STARTED UPON LEAVING WORK. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. ALL INDICATORS RESET AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AFTER DRIVE 5 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP. WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD IN TOWN GOING APPROX 25 MILES PER HOUR. WARNING NOTICE AND SHIFTER LIGHTS WENT OFF WHEN I PULLED OVER AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF.
Power train, Engine, Jan 19, 2020
ON JANUARY 18 2020 I WAS DRIVING AND AFTER ONLY A MILE FROM HOME, COMING TO AN INTERSECTION YIELDING TO GO LEFT, MY CAR COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I TRIED TO RE-START AND TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUETS GET IT TO RESTART. I WAS DRIVING THE MILE HOME WHEN THEN I GOT A 'OIL PRESSURE LOW LIGHT'. I DID AN OIL CHANGE THAT AFTERNOON TO FIND MY CAR ONLY HAD 2 QUARTS OF OIL REMAINING. MY CAR IS BURNING OIL. I DO REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THERE ARE NO LEAKS. I HAD NO WARNING FROM MY CAR THAT MY OIL WAS LOW. ALTHOUGH THE FEATURE TO TURN OFF MY CAR WORKED PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OIL IS LOW, MY CAR IS BURNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL AND NOT GIVING ME A LOW OIL WARNING BEFORE TURNING OFF MY CAR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AND HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH I GENERALLY TRAVEL. THESE MODEL CARS NEED TO BE FIXED FROM BURNING OIL AND DRIVERS ALERTED TO WHEN THEIR OIL STARTS TO BECOME LOW, NOT JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2020
CAR STOPPED ON ME AND KEEPS DOING IT BEFORE IT DOES IT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER I HAVE CONTACTED JEEP , I HAVE WENT TO A DEALERSHIP. BUT NO ONE HAS HELPED AND MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR YESTERDAY WHEN I LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR LOCKED AND TOLD ME SERVICE SHIFTER, I IMMEDIATELY CALL JEEP WHO TOLD ME TO GO THE DEALERSHIP NEAR WHO TOLD ME THEY COULDNT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2020
MY 2017 JEEP SERVICE SHIFTER KEEPS ON TURNING ON I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE 'RE PROGRAMMED IT' AND 'FIXED WIRING' AND IT STILL KEEPS ON TURNING ON.
Power train, Jan 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MIDSTATE AUTO GROUP INC 810 WASHINGTON ST, AUBURN, MA 01501, (508) 832-8886) TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 5-10 MILES BUT WAS STILL UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,406.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
DRIVING TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE CAME UP AND MY PNDR+- WERE ALL RED. I WAS CLOSE BY A DEALERSHIP SO I TOOK IT SLOW AND PULLED IT RIGHT INTO THE SERVICE AREA. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR OF LOOKING AT IT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS CONSIDER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY THAT ENDED AT 36,000 MILES AND I'M AT 49,000. AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT EITHER, SO IT WOULD BE UP TO ME TO COVER THE COST AT $135.00 ONE PART, $30.00 FOR ANOTHER PART AND FOR 1.5 HOURS LABOR. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS OVER THE SAME THING YOU'D THINK THIS WOULD BE A RECALL BY NOW, WHOS TO SAY ONCE I PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED THAT IT WONT DO THIS AGAIN
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT POPS UP ON MY PANEL TO "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS LIGHT UP IN RED. THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR IT IS TO PULL OVER AND PUT JEEP IN PARK AND TURN OFF ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING ALL IS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS THE 3RD INCIDENT IN ABOUT 4 WEEKS.
Steering, Engine, Jan 11, 2020
A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COME UP ON MY OPTOMETER SCREEN 4 TIMES IN 3 DAYS. THE WARNING APPEARS IN RED LETTERS THAT ALSO HIGHLIGHT ALL GEAR LIGHTS RED AND THE SCREEN WAS LOCKED TO SERVICE SHIFTER. THIS TAKES PLACES WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTS BUT I CANNOT SHIFT THE GEARS. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF 2019 MODELS HAVING THIS HAPPEN AND CAR STOPS WHILE IN MOTION. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CASE, SO MANY JEEP CHEROKEE MODELS 2016-2020 HAVE BEEN WIDELY AFFECTED BY THIS SHIFT SYSTEM FAILURE.
Power train, Jan 10, 2020
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE INTERMITTENTLY RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER" ON MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE WHILE MY VEHICLES IS IN MOTION. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED AT COMPLETELY RANDOM TIME WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. DURING THIS CONDITION, THE P, R, N, D SHIFTER LIGHTS ARE ALL LIT UP RED. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I AM ABLE TO TURN OFF MY ENGINE, AND THEN RESTART IT TO CLEAR THE MESSAGE, BUT I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AS I FEAR I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE.
Power train, Jan 10, 2020
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT TURNS ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN TO GET THE MESSAGE AND SHIFTER TO RESET. SOMETIMES, IT WILL KEEP GOING INTO SERVICE SHIFTER FOR MULTIPLE TRIES BEFORE THE SHIFTER WILL EVENTUALLY WORK AND DRIVE. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN STATIONARY WHEN I FIRST GET IN TO DRIVE AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN SAFELY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. IT WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE.
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2020
THIS FIRST STARTED BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2019 TURNED THE CAR ON AND THE 'SERVICE SHIFT' LIGHT CAME ON. FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK AIR BAGS. I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, AND IT WAS GONE.THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED - THEN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO HAPPEND WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGED APPEARED ON THE DASH. THE PRND+- ALL LIT UP RED AS WELL. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED MY CAR. THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED AFTER THAT.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER THE CAR TURN OFF ON MAJOR HIGHWAY
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2020
2017 44K MILES JUST BOUGHT 3 DAYS AGO AND SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON WHILE IN PARK AND THE PRND ALL LIGHT UP RED. ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT GO AWAY IS TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON. HAPPENED AGAIN LATER THAT DAY. THIS WAS DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY (01/04/2020).
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2020
SEVERAL TIMES NOW (7-9), MESSAGE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' APPEARS. AT SAME TIME ALL RED DOTS ALONG SIDE THE SHIFTER ILLUMINATE (RED). WHILE TO MESSAGE IS VISIBLE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IN MOST CASES ELIMINATED THE MESSAGE, RED DOTS NOT ILLUMINATE AND CRUISE CONTROL REGAINED FUNCTIONALITY. HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE THE MESSAGE WAS IN VIEW. THESE EVENTS ALWAYS HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MOTION, HAS NOT HAD UPON INITIAL STARTUP.
Power train, Jan 5, 2020
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I AM NOT GETTING ALL THE SPEEDS OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. AT 75 I'M A CLOSE TO 3,000 RPM, WHEN I PUT IT INTO MANUAL MODE TO SEE WHAT GEAR I AM AT IT WILL DISPLAY I'M CURRENTLY AT 6TH GEAR. WHERE IS 7,8,AND 9TH?
Power train, Jan 4, 2020
AFTER ROUGHLY 38,000 MILES THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY DISPLAY A "SERVICE SHIFTER " WARNING. THE ERROR PERSISTS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. I PLAN ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS I AM ABLE AFTER READING OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS WARNING HAVE HAD SEVERE ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE CHANGING GEARS WITHOUT THE DRIVERS INPUT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 1, 2020
CAR STARTS TO STALL AFTER 1000 MILES DRIVEN IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THIS STARTED AT 30000 MILES. IT STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. IT STALKS AT STOP SIGNS. THIS MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS FIRST CAR. IT IS NOT SAFE.