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, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 16, 2019
MY JEEP COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM HOME, MADE A LEFT TURN AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32MPH. IT DID RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND I QUICKLY DROVE BACK HOME AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 16, 2019
VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 1/2 MILE ON A COUNTY ROAD, MADE A LEFT TURN AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. NO STEERING, BRAKING. VERY SCARY!!! WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 13, 2019
'CHECK SHIFTER' LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS ON MY SHIFTER LIT UP AS WELL. CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD AS WELL !
Power train, Sep 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARD, OVERHEATED, AND ACCELERATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEWEY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP (3175 SE DELAWARE AVE, ANKENY, IA 50021, (855) 367-0915) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPUTER UPDATE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 59403802. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2019
2017 JEEP SERVICE STIFTER COME ON SEVERAL TIME WHEN DRIVING, I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN IT OFF BEFORE I CAN TURN IT ON AGAIN TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND, MY JEEP MOVING THEN I TURN OFF JEEP AND SOMETIMES JERKING WHEN AM DRIVING BEFORE COMING TO A STOP I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT MY FROM BEHIND .
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2019
WHEN CAR WAS 1 YR OLD SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INCLUDING ALL GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS LIT AT SAME TIME. SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANT. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, SAME ISSUE, ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN WITH WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS A NEW PART THAT CAME OUT TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM. 2 MONTHS LATER, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS HAS TO DO WITH WIRING HARNESS AND SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. ALL TIMES, THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS MOVING.
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2019
WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON SEVERAL OCCASION NOW FOR 2 MONTHS, THE SHIFTER LIGHTS WILL ALL COME ON, THEN I GET A MESSAGE TO SERVICE SHIFTER SOON. WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN ENGINE OFF, USUALLY WAIT APPROX 2-3 MIN AND RESTART ENGINE THE SHIFTER LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND MESSAGE IS GONE.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 4, 2019
WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL, IT THE RPMS WILL JUMP FROM BETWEEN 1 -2 TO 5 VERY QUICKLY AND THE SPEED WILL INCREASE FROM 65 MPH TO 75MPH FOR NO REASON. THIS OCCURS WHETHER I AM DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY, UP A HILL, OR DOWN HILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND IS VERY SCARY.
Power train, Engine, Sep 4, 2019
MOTOR USES TWO QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. REAR ENDED POPPING AND GRINDS WHEN TAKING OFF.
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2019
THE MESSAGE SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARS ON THE MAIN DISPLAY, AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER CONSOLE LIGHT UP. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT'S HAPPENED IN THREE MONTHS. ONCE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE OTHER TWO TIMES WERE ON STARTUP FROM PARK. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY DRIVING ISSUES. YET.
Power train, Aug 29, 2019
CHEROKEE (2017) HAS ZF 9-SPEED TRANSMISSION. WHEN CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE TRANSMISSION IS SLOW TO RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN MAKING TURNS OR GOING UP A HILL AND PUSHING GAS PEDAL TO RECOVER SPEED. ENTERING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OR PASSING HAS SLOW RESPONSE TO GAS PEDAL. JEEP SAYS IT'S NORMAL. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLY DIE FROM THIS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2019
SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS, INCLUDING TODAY; WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 25-35 MILES THERE WILL BE A "SERVICE SHIFTER" NOTIFICATION AND THE ASSOCIATED 'DING' NOISE NOTIFICATION THAT COMES ON. THIS NOTIFICATION BLOCKS ANY ACTION ON THE SCREEN BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM MONITOR AND ONLY SUCCESSFULLY GOES AWAY WHEN TURNING THE JEEP COMPLETELY OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY ON HIGHWAYS, AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IF I HAVE USED OR AM USING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE TRIP. IT ALSO ILLUMINATES ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER (PNRD +/-). IT SEEMS THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH SHIFTING, CAUSE ME TO BECOME STRANDED, OR BECOME DANGEROUS FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2019
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I START MY VEHICLE THE ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP. THE DASH WILL THEN SAY THE MESSAGE "SERVICE SHIFTER NOW". THE ONLY WAY TO CLEAR THE MESSAGE IS TO SHUT MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. SOMETIMES 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A ROW. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I HOOKED UP A TESTER TO SEE IF IT GAVE A CODE. IT GAVE CODE U0164 "LOST COMMUNICATION WITH HVAC CONTROL MODULE". I SHUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE DASH SAID "NO BUS" AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY FRONT WINDOWS, RADIO, TOUCH SCREEN OR HVAC. MY HEATER WAS ON HIGH AND SO WAS THE FAN. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE IT. AFTER I SHUT IT OFF FOR APX. 15 MINUTES OR SO IT CORRECTED ITSELF. SPEEDS VARIED FROM 0 MPH UP TO 60 MPH. SOMETIMES HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE MESSAGE BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES.
Power train, Aug 24, 2019
WHILE DRIVING A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER", THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME AFTER INSPECTION IT WILL BE $600 AS THE HARNESS IS BAD. IF I DO NOT REPLACE THE CAR CAN BECOME CONFUSED ON WHAT GEAR IT IS IN AND RANDOMLY SHIFT, MAJOR CONCERN IF YOU ARE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE...
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT MOTOR DOWN AND RESTART AND WILL COME ON AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS..
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 19, 2019
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW FORM THE DEALER (FARRISH CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM AT 9610 FAIRFAX BLVD. VA 22031 AND IT ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES AND STOPS RUNNING, AND I HAVE TO DROP IT OFF TO THEIR SHOP AND IT TAKES FEW DAYS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSE ME SOME PROBLEMS TO STRUGGLE WITH MY WORK SCHEDULE AND MY SON SCHOOL AND OTHER FAMILY SCHEDULES. SO I NEED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AS I AM A SINGLE MOM AND I NEED TO NOT STRUGGLE MUCH WITH A NEW VEHICLE.
Power train, Aug 19, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST SPEED AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A WARNING POPPED UP "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL PRESS BRAKE + SELECT GEAR". AT THE SAME TIME ON THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE, THE RED LIGHT THAT HIGHLIGHTED I WAS IN DRIVE BEGAN TO BLINK, I LOST ALL ABILITY TO DRIVE MY CAR, AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK. TURNED THE CAR OFF, TRIED TO RESTART AND THE CAR WOULD SPUTTER, BUT EVENTUALLY CATCH. HAPPENED TWICE - TWO DAYS IN A ROW.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED A BEZEL KITSHIFT AND WIRING SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ARE ON A ONE MONTH BACKORDER INDICATING HUGE DEMAND FOR PARTS. SURPRISED IT WAS NOT RECALLED.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2019
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND THE SHIFTER CONTROL MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 MONTHS SINCE THAT SERVICE. CHRYSLER HAS A WARNING NOTED BUT IT'S NOT A RECALL.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE HIGHWAY AND WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR I HAD THE BRAKE ,ABS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UP. I WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE IT AFTERWARDS. I HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE AND WAIT A BIT THEN TURN IT ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES.I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NO RECALLS.MY VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE IT HAD 25,000. THD DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED ME MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND UNABLE TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY OUT OF POCKET.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2019
DEALER REPLACED SHIFTER ASSSY BUT STILL GETTING FREQUENT 'SERVICE SHIFTER ERROR MESSAGES. DEALER ALSO COMPLETED ANY RECALLS AND NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. STILL GETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE.
Power train, Aug 14, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, A MESSAGE CAME UP ON CENTER DISPLAY ADVISING, "SERVICE SHIFTER". ONCE THIS HAPPENED ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER SELECTOR LIGHT UP (PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, -, +). WE WERE IN A 45MPH ZONE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE LIGHT NEVER TURNED OFF DURING THE ENTIRE 40 MINUTE DRIVE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2019
IN MOTION 3 TIMES NOW ALL SHIFTING LIGHTS LIGHT AND WE GET ERROR MESSAGE SERVICE SHIFTER SOON. ONCE IT STARTED RUNNING RUFF AND FELT LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO SHIFT WITHOUT HUMAN INPUT. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF WAITED SHORT TIME STARTED AND ERROR WAS GONE. THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED TURNED OFF CLEARED ON RESTART AND DROVE 1/4 MILE CAME BACK ON. NO DEALER IN AREA CLAMES TO HAVE EVER HEARD OF IT. I CAN FIND OTHERS ON ONLINE FORMS WITH SAME ISSUE DEALERS ALSO SAYING NEVER HEARD OF IT. A FIX NEEDS TO BE FOUND OTHERWISE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT.
Power train, Aug 8, 2019
WHEN DRIVING SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND BATTERY LIGHT. LOSES POWER, SHUTS DOWN AND WHEN TRYING TO RESTART ACTS LIKE SOMETHING IS STICKING