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.
Engine, Nov 27, 2019
ON TWO OCCASIONS THIS WEEK THE JEEP CHEROKEE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS STARTLING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING LEFT IT DIFFICULT TO PULL OVER. UPON INQUIRY FROM A LOCAL JEEP DEALER, THEY INDICATED IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IF THE OIL IS LOW. THE OIL WAS IN FACT 3/4 QUART LOW AND WAS REMEDIED HOWEVER THERE SHOULD BE A LIGHT THAT COMES ON NOT A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE DASH REGARDING LOW OIL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE DEADLY.
Power train, Nov 27, 2019
SERVICE GEAR SHIFTER MESSAGE WAS ON WHEN JEEP CHEROKEE WAS STARTED. 46K MILES, NO ISSUES WITH SHIFTER PRIOR. SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PARK UNTIL VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED; THEN MESSAGE WAS GONE, VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION.
Electrical system, Nov 27, 2019
THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING APPEARED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE PRNDM TURNED RED. VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED TO STALL OUT AND LEAD TO A MISFIRE FROM CYLINDER 2
Power train, Nov 26, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER IMMEDIATELY" NOTICE CAME ON, ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER LIT UP RED. UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE. PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED, ALL LIGHTS OFF. HAS BEEN SHIFTING STRANGE THOUGH.
Power train, Engine, Nov 26, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAM ON FEB 2019 AND WAS REPLACED. 6 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED FOR A 2ND TIME. OCTOBER 2019 MY CAR WAS SPUTTERING AT AN IDLE AND NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND AN ENGINE COIL WAS REPLACED. NOV 2019 WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THERE WOULD BE A 15-20 SECOND LAG BEFORE IT WOULD JUMP INTO GEAR AND LUNG FORWARD. I ALSO START EXPERIENCING DELAYS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD LAG FOR ABOUT 10 SECOND BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR AND LUNG FORWARD AT A HIGHER SPEED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CODE P0304 MISFIRE CYLINDER 4. DEALERSHIP REPLACED (UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY) BOOT KIT - IGNITION COIL, LUBRICANT - DIELECTRIC, TRANSMISSION MOUNT, REPLACED VALVE BODY AND TRANS RANGE SENSOR. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2017 WITH 12 MILES ON IT, CURRENT MILEAGE 55,989 WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 25, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE 4WD LIGHT CAME ON AND A DAY LATER THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE ISSUES IVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT THAT CONTANTLY STAYS ON.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2019
DASH INDICATES SERVICE SHIFTER, ALL P-R-N-D GEAR LIGHT COMES RED. SECOND TIME IN A MONTH NOW.
Engine, Nov 22, 2019
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION AT A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR SHUT OF. I MANEUVERED OVER AS MUCH AS I COULD. WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED IT HAD NO OIL. IT HAD AN OIL CHANGE WITH IN THE LAST MONTH. IN THE TWO YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS HAD TO BE TOWED FOR THIS 1-2 OTHER TIMES AS IT RUNS OUT OF OIL AND SHUTS DOWN BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE DATE OR MILEAGE. I WAS NEVER INFORMED TO MONITOR THE OIL UNTIL RECENTLY. AFTER THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS TOLD TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AT 4000 MILES INSTEAD OF 5000 AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT IT OR ADDING OIL IF I CANNOT GET IT RIGHT IN. IT ALSO HAS NO WARNING THAT IT IS LOW ON OIL.
Engine, Nov 22, 2019
11/18/2019,WHEN I WAS GOING TO PARK AT MY DAUGHTER 'S DAYCARE ON W 87TH ST, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR COULD NOT MOVE ANY MORE.THE SCREEN SHOWED"SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL PRESS BRAKE+SELECT GEAR".WE TRIED TO DO AS THE SCREEN TOLD BUT STILL THE CAR COULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO RETART THE CAR, THEN WE CAN MOVE AGAIN. 11/21/2019，THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I JUST STARTED THE CAR AND GOING TO ENTER IN THE REMINGTON BLVD.
Power train, Nov 22, 2019
SERVICE SHIFT STARTER WARNING COMES ON CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 21, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR 3/21/2017 AND I'VE LOVED IT UP UNTIL THE RECENT PROBLEMS. SINCE JUNE/2019 WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY GEAR SHIFTER LIGHT UP AND A DISPLAY OF "SERVICE SHIFTER" POPS UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR IT IS TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT UP. AT FIRST IT HAPPENED RANDOMLY, BUT NOW IT MORE FREQUENT. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, BUT NOW AN ADDITIONAL ISSUE HAS STARTED. SOMETIMES WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS APPEAR WHEN I'M MAKE A TURN OR GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY EVEN, I'VE ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE NOW THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF!! THIS IS SCARY AND UNSAFE, BUT IT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND YES ALL OF MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2019
IT KEEPS SAYING SWIFT SHIFTER. ALL OF THE LIGHTS COME ON WHERE I SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE
Power train, Nov 20, 2019
SHIFTER SHOWS SERVICE LIGHT ' I WENT TO START CAR AND ALL LIGHTS ARE ON SHIFTER ' IT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER AND WILL NOT SHOW YOU THE ODEMETER
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2019
WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY, A "SERVICE SHIFTER" LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, AND ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE GEAR SHIFTER WERE ON. I THOUGHT I WAS STUCK, BUT THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND PARK THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 18, 2019
LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. D ON THE GEAR SHIFT WAS FLASHING. WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND TRAVEL FOR ABOUT 300 FEET AND THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. FINALLY RESTARTED AFTER SHOWING NO SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT WHICH WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE AWAY.
Engine, Nov 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING CAR WILL COME UP WITH A MESSAGE OF SERVICE SHIFTER ON THE DASH AND ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS ARE LIT UP RED. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND SINCE IT IS NOT ON WHEN I ARRIVE (ONCE YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT USUALLY GOES AWAY) AND SINCE IT IS NOT THROWING A CODE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EVEN THOUGH I TAKE PICTURES EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS.
Steering, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2019
CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. BRAKES AND GAS WON'T WORK. POWER STEERING FUNCTION IS LOST. ERROR MESSAGE ON DASH READS SERVICE TRANSMISSION RESTART IN PARK WITH VEHICLE AT ZERO SPEED.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 15, 2019
OUR LIGHTS ON SHIFTER HAVE ALL LIGHT UP AND SCREEN IN DASH TELLS UP SERVICE SHIFTER WHILE DRIVIN,IT DRIVES FINE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL LOCK WHEELS ON HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO LITTLE KIDS IN THE JEEP.WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES AFTER IT HAPPENS AND ALL WE ARE TOLD IS THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE JEEP WHEN SHIFTER ACTS UP AND SERVICE SHIFTER IS ON SCREEN.ALSO HAVE HAD JEEP IN SERVICE ABOUT RADIO FREEZES UP NOTHING ON SCREEN OR STEERING WHEEL WORKS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I AM SEEING BOTH PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH TOO.I HAVE CALLED JEEP CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AND WAS TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID MAYBE I NEED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND JEEP CUSTOMER CARE CLOSED THE TICKET ON THE ISSUES.THIS DEALERSHIP IS LARRY H MILLER IN UTAH.I HAVE 6000 MILES LEFT ON WARRANTY AND I AM FEELING THAT THE DEALSHIP DOESN'T CARE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. IT HAPPENED AT ROY, UTAH.
Power train, Engine, Nov 12, 2019
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WHEN IT WANTS, GET STUCK IN GEARS AND SHIFTS HARD. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO JEEP MULTIPLE TIMES- THEY HAVE ZERO ANSWERS FOR ME. MY CAR ISN'T RUNNING ANY ERROR CODES SO THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS ANY ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2019
WHILE IN MOTION- CAR CHIMES, ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER ILLUMINATE, DASH READS "SERVICE SHIFTER" HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE MARCH 2019 AND AS RECENTLY AS NOVEMBER 2019. TAKING CAR IN TO BE CHECKED ON 11/20/2019.
Wheels, Engine, Nov 12, 2019
SINCE JANUARY OF 2018 I HAVE BEEN HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS INTERNALLY WITH MY JEEP. I GOT THE JEEP IN APRIL OF 2017 WITH 14 MILES TOTAL ON IT. THE JEEP DEALERSHIP NEVER ROTATED MY TIRES WHEN THEY CHANGED MY OIL AND TOLD ME THEY DID ROTATE MY TIRES RESULTING IN ME HAVING TO GET A BRAND NEW SET OF 4 TIRES IN 2018 BECAUSE ALL THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY BALD (TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON). MY FIRST OF 4 CYLINDERS WENT OUT IN JANUARY 2019 THAT WAS FIXED ON WARRANTY. SECOND CYLINDER OF 4 THAT WAS A DIFFERENT CYLINDER THAN THE FIRST WENT OUT FEBRUARY OF 2019 THE JEEP DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A GOOD YEAR PROGRAM AND MADE ME PAY A FEE AND THEY FIXED ALL 4 CYLINDERS. CURRENTLY IN NOVEMBER 2019 MY ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS NOW. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL JEEP DEALERSHIPS THAT HAS NOT SEEN THIS ISSUE ON OTHER JEEPS SO I REALLY BELIEVE I GOT SOLD A POORLY MANUFACTURED JEEP.
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2019
SERVICE SHIFT CAME ON DASH AND RED LIGHTS APPEARED NEXT TO EACH GEAR ON THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2019
VEHICLE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS ROTTEN EGG SMELL. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO JEEP DEALER 34 TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2019
CRUSIE CONTROL DOES NOT MAINTAIN SET SPEED LEVEL. WHEN SPEED IS SET, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL RAPIDLY INCREASE BY 10 TO 15 MPH. THE SPEED SET POINT DID NOT CHANGE, BUT THE CAR INCREASES IN SPEED. IT DID NOT RETURN TO THE SET POINT. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ABLE TO BE DISENGAGED.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 4, 2019
I BROUGHT A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE IN JULY 2017. I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR THE FIRST MONTH I BROUGHT IT. VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, STEERING LOCKS AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS PUT VEHICLE AND "PARK" AND THEN SELECT DESIRED GEAR.THIS ISSUES HAS HAPPENED TWICE ONCE I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION. I KEEP MY VEHICLE UP TO DATE ON MAINTENANCE/SERVICE. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT I AM PAYING A CAR PAYMENT, HAVE LESS THAN 62,000 MILES ON A LESS THAN 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, AND HAVING THESE KIND OF SAFETY CONCERNS. . TODAY, MY CAR DIED WITH NO WARNING ON A BUSY ROAD, GIVES ME APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS TO PULL TO SAFETY BEFORE THERE IS NO SPEED/ABILITY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THE RISK IS SO HIGH, AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ON LINE SHOW A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS AMONG HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES BY JEEP AND NOTHING. THE DEALERSHIPS/SERVICE CONTINUE TO MAKE COMMENTS LIKE "WE WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE". TO BE SPECIFIC: DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR, STRAIGHT FOLLOWING A RIGHT TURN. . . . LOST POWER. LIGHTS WENT ON THE DASH, MESSAGE ABOVE APPEARED. IT TOOK TWO TRIES TO RESTART TO GET ME OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR ME BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED. AS SOON AS THEY WOULD CONNECT IT TO DIAGNOSE THEY SAID THE CODES WOULD CLEAR AND THE CAR WAS WORKING. ITS A WASTE OF MONEY BECAUSE IM GOING TO GET THE SAME ANSWER. I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THIS CAR HAS BUT MY CHILDREN AND MY LIFE IN DANGER. CHRYSTLER AND JEEP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THEY HAVE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THEIR JEEPS ENGINE. I GUESS JEEP WILL RESOLVED THIS ISSUE WHEN SOMEONE GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR DIE.