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, Oct 7, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME ON AND GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ARE ALL RED ON P, R, N, D - THIS WAS WHILE IN MOTION GOING DOWN THE ROAD
Engine, Oct 5, 2019
FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DURING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DRIVING CYCLE (DRIVE, PARK, IDLE) A "SERVICE SHIFTER" LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH. AT THIS TIME NO OTHER LIGHT APPEARS (CHECK ENGINE, LOW OIL, ELECTRICAL ISSUE.) THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN STARTED, DRIVING, OR PARKED. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED BY PHOTOS OF THE SERVICE LIGHT ALSO WITH THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR. THE ISSUE SOMETIMES RESULTS IN THE CAR TURNING ITSELF OFF WHILE IT IS IN DRIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR MUST SIT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME FROM 1 MINUTE TO 30 MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON WITHOUT ISSUE. THE LIGHT APPEARS WITHOUT ANY KNOWN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CAR HAS A SERVICE CONTRACT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE ON TWO OCCASIONS AS IT WOULD NOT START FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY RECALLED PARTS OR PRODUCTS. THE DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER VEHICLES. THROUGH A SIMPLE ONLINE SEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER DRIVERS AND VEHICLES WITH THIS EXACT ISSUE. THIS POSES A SAFETY THREAT AS THE CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF WHILE IT IS IN DRIVE. IT IS MY FEAR THAT THIS MAY OCCUR WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED TO THIS POINT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP PENDING REPAIRS, BUT THEY NOTED AS IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2019
I KEEP GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING WHILE DRIVING MY JEEP. ALL THE LIGHTS FOR THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP (D,N,R AND P). I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR OFF TO DISMISS THE WARNINGS.
Power train, Oct 4, 2019
GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE. ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ARE ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. TURN CAR OFF, RESTART, SHORTLY AFTER MESSAGE REAPPEARS SERVICE SHIFTER. THIS IS DONE IN A STATIONARY POSITION.
Power train, Oct 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR AND SEVERAL OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD; HOWEVER, THE FORWARD MOMENTUM WAS MINIMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO ZONE AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NEITHER MECHANIC COULD RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 3, 2019
2017 JEEP CHEROKEE STARTED AND PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS COME ON AND DASHBOARD DISPLAYS MESSAGE "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED OUT. HAVE TO SHUT DOWN AND RESTART VEHICLE TO CLEAR ERROR MESSAGE AND GET TRANSMISSION TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT. I SEE ON WEB BLOG THAT MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 2016, 2017, 2018, AND 2019 JEEP CHEROKEES HAVE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERS CLAIM EITHER NEVER SEEN BEFORE (LIES), OR PERFORM SOFTWARE UPDATE, OR REPLACE SHIFTER AND WIRING HARNESS. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS FIX THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2019
I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A DING. I LOOKED AT WERE MY MPH IS DISPLAYED AND IT WAS SHOWING SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL THE LIGHTS WHERE THE SHIFTER IS WAS LITE UP.
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING KEEPS COMING ON EVEN AFTER BEING TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. ALL LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT TURN RED AND STAY ON. WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THERE APPEARS TO BE A MISFIRE IN ONE OF THE GEARS.
Power train, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HARD SHIFTED AND JERKED FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT SYCAMORE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (1825 DEKALB AVE STE A, SYCAMORE, IL 60178, 815-895-8105) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER TO BE SERVICED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2019
WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD SCREEN & EVERY GEAR ON THE SHIFTER TURNED RED. I TURNED MY CAR OFF & BACK ON AGAIN. THE MESSAGE & RED COLORS ON THE SHIFTER APPEARED, AGAIN. I THEN TURNED MY CAR OFF & BACK ON AGAIN, & THE MESSAGE & COLORS DID NOT APPEAR.
Power train, Sep 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT HILL, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND ROLLED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROLLING IN REVERSE AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND INSTRUCTED THE DRIVER TO SHIFT INTO PARK. ALSO, OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK WOLF CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE (1615 N STATE ST, BELVIDERE, IL 61008, (815) 544-9211) WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 27, 2019
CAR WITH JUST OVER 20K MILES AND A "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE ARE LIGHTED UP (PNRD AND +-). SHIFT PATTERN WAS ODD THE DAY BEFORE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2019
STARTING 2/23/19 WARNING LIGHTS FOR PARK BRAKE, SHIFTER, 4WD, PARK ASSIST, TIRE PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING DOWN ROAD. DID IT AGAIN 7/10/19, TOOK TO DEALER. THEY PATCHED A TIRE AND SAID NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG. DID IT AGAIN 7/16/19. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY KEPT A FEW DAYS, SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ISSUE. DID IT AGAIN 9/13/19. DID NOT TAKE TO DEALER. DID IT AGAIN 9/27/19 AND THIS TIME CAR HAD TROUBLE DRIVING. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
Power train, Sep 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER SERVICE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GLADSTONE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP AND RAM (5610 NORTH OAK TRAFFICWAY, GLADSTONE, MO 64118, (816) 455-3500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER SERVICE BEZEL WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER SERVICE BEZEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 64639458. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2019
WHILE IN MOTION THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON AND GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ARE ALL RED,P,R,N,D - I PULLED OVER SHUT OF CAR AND TURNED BACK ON AND MESSAGE AND LIGHTS WENT AWAY
Power train, Sep 24, 2019
WHEN DRIVING MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE 2.4 L, MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT TURNS ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS (PRND) TURN RED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER 36,000 MILES WARRANTY WAS OVER. JEEP DEALER WOULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT ME PAYING OUT OF POCKET. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE MESSAGE WILL CLEAR IT SELF BUT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER DRIVING.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 20, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL RED LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER COME ON. HAPPENS BOTH AT STATIONARY START AND WHILE MOVING (PREVIOUS TIME). STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN AND I'M AFRAID IT WILL LEAD TO ME BEING STRANDED OR UNABLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF PARK.
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2019
THE SERVICE SHIFTER NOTICE COMES UP AND ALL THE GEAR LIGHTS LIGHT UP AT ONCE.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
IN APRIL 2018, MY GEARSHIFT QUIT WORKING. I WAS STATIONARY. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE LIGHTS ON THE GEARSHIFT CONSOLE ALL LIT UP. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS ONLY 14 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM REPLACED THE GEARSHIFT. ON SEPT. 18, 2019, THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, THE CAR DINGED AND THE DASHBOARD SAID CHECK GEARSHIFT. I AM NOW 49,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. I READ ONLINE THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE GEAR SHIFT/TRANSMISSION ON JEEPS INCLUDING MINE, A CHEROKEE.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO KRIEGERS FORD (3205 NORTH HIGHWAY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761, 563-263-5324) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEZZLE AND HARNESS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT FOUND NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,500.
Power train, Sep 19, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON DASH TOO TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED THEN 3-4 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED HAPPING AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNDER A LEASE AND IT WOULD BE 210 DOLLARS FOR THE PART AND ABOUT 500 DOLLARS FOR LABOR AND IF WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING IT FIX IT COULD STALL OUT ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME
Power train, Sep 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING. THEN AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE LIGHTNMESSAGE GOES AWAY DEALER SHIP HAS BEEN NO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM
Power train, Sep 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARED ON MAIN CLUSTER WHERE SPEEDOMETER TYPICALLY DISPLAYS. JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON SATURDAY. LOOKED UP MESSAGE AND THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A VERIFIED FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, DESPITE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 16, 2019
BEZEL AND SHIFTER HARNESS MALFUNCTION WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. DEALER ORDERED PARTS. $456. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.
Power train, Sep 16, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE APPEARED WHILE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM HOME. WARNING WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH RED LIGHTS ON THE PRNDL SHIFTER CONSOL. CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY, SO I CONTINUED HOME, AND SHUT OFF CAR. AFTER A SHORT TIME, RESTARTED CAR, AND FAULT HAD CLEARED. WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER JEEP CHEROKEE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, AND IT IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX. THE CAR IS JUST PAST THE 360000 MILE WARRANTY LIMIT BY 70 MILES! I AM ACTUALLY SURPRISED I MADE IT THAT MANY MILES, BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY, BUT FOR SOME REASON, I AM NOT HOPEFUL, BASED ON OTHER OWNER EXPERIENCES.