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, May 12, 2019
MY ENGINE GUZZLES OIL AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 11, 2019
WHEN YOU CRANK THE CAR ALL THE RED LIGHTS COME ON AND IT BEEPS THEN STATES SERVICE SHIFTER.
Electrical system, May 11, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. THE SERVICE SHIFT CHANGER LIGHTS CAME ON AND AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC START LIGHT CAME KN STATING IT NEEDS SERVICE. I JUST BOUGHT CAR TWO YEARS AGO. THIS IS RIDICULOUS NOW I HAVE TO PAY 430 FOR SOMETHING THAT STOPPED WORKING ON ITS OWN ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH JEEP.
Power train, May 10, 2019
DRIVING DOWN CURVY ROAD, AROUND 50 MPH, INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER" WHILE ALL THE LIGHTS TO THE LEFT OF THE SHIFTER LIT UP. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES I STARTED IT UP AND IT SEEMED FINE. IT HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME WHILE FINISHING THE DRIVE HOME. THERE WAS NO KNOWN CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I'VE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS, 37,000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2019
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON AND LOCKED OUT THE SHIFTING. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ON MARCH 6TH 2019, AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK I MADE IT TO ROUGHLY THE END OF THE PARKING LOT OR LESS THAN 1/8 MILE AND AGAIN THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COME ON LOCKING OUT THE ACTUAL SHIFTING MECHANISM. THE SECOND CONDITION WAS MY CRUISE WAS SET AT 66 MILES AN HOUR WELL TRYING TO REDUCE AND CANCEL SPEED CRUISE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID THE CRASH.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 9, 2019
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN A 2 WEEK PERIOD. WHILE DRIVING ON SERVICE STREETS A PINGING NOISES GOES OFF..THE BATTERY LIGHT A LIGHTENING BOLT AND SHIFT INTO DRIVE APPEARS AND LASTS A FEW SECONDS. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF! THE RADIO CONTINUES TO PLAY. I CANNOT SHIFT INTO PARK. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE IGNITION IT MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE..AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT IT USUALLY WILL RESTART. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY CAR!
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON. TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG OTHER THAN CAN BE REPLACED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2019
WHILE DRIVING SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON FREEZING DISPLAY WHILE ALL LIGHTS IN SHIFTER TURNED RED. PULLED OFF TURN OFF VEHICLE TO REST.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2019
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 5-7-19 I HEARD A DING & A THE MESSAGE SERVICE SHIFTER CAME UP ON MY DASH & THE RED LIGHTS NEXT TO THE GEAR SHIFT ALL LIT UP. I WAS MOVING AT THE TIME & WHEN I REACHED A STOP LIGHT I PUT VEHICLE IN PARK THEN BACK TO DRIVE BUT NOTHING CHANGED. TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY SAID THEY'D ONLY HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO A FEW VEHICLES BUT I HAVE JUST FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. ORDERING PARTS FOR IT BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT & WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS TO GET THE PARTS FOLLOWED BY THEM CALLING ME TO SET UP A TIME TO BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A 2017 WITH A LITTLE OVER 27K MILES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DOING THIS YET OR EVER.
Seat belts, May 3, 2019
SEAT BELT BUCKLE BUTTON CRACKS WITH USE OF A CHILD CAR SEAT -REAR FACING
Power train, Electrical system, May 1, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER NOTICE COMES ON DISPLAY SCREEN SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES IT IS ON INITIAL START, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. ALL SHIFTER POSITION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON SHIFT INDICATOR. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CLEARS MESSAGE.
Power train, Apr 26, 2019
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETLEY WHILE DRIVING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.
Power train, Apr 26, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON, WHILE MOVING ON HIGHWAY, ALSO WHILE TURNING
Engine, Apr 26, 2019
BEGINNING IN DEC 17 JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT STARTED ONLY ON RIGHT TURNS THEN ESCALATED TO PRETTY MUCH ANYTIME. ALMOST A YEAR LATER THEY WERE ABLE TO SUPPOSEDLY REPLICATE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE ENGINE IN DEC18. JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER ENGINE REPLACED VEHICLE BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING AND I HAVE REPEATEDLY TAKEN IT BACK AND THEY CAN NEVER REPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS CAN HAPPEN IN 2 MILES - 500 MILES OR NOT AGAIN UNTIL 1200 MILES. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND I HAVE SOMEHOW AVOIDED SEVERAL BAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS. I CANNOT TAKE ANYONE IN MY VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF LIABILITY AND SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I GET NO HELP FROM CORPORATE OR THE DEALER EXCEPT ' SORRY WE CAN'T REPLICATE IT' VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED IN ON APRIL 19 AND AS OF TODAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS ALREADY.
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2019
SHIFTER SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALERSHIP STATED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER ALL CAME ON WHEN STARTED AND THE SHIFTER WAS ENGAGED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2019
MY SERVICE GEAR SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. ALL BOTTOMS LIGHT UP ON SHIFTER. FEELS KINDA LIKE IT HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING. I PULLED OVER SHUT CAR OFF AND LIGHT WENT OFF. I DROVE IT ANOTHER WEEK WITH NO ISSUES AND LIGHT CAN ON AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER
Power train, Apr 23, 2019
AS CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OUT A HIGHWAY A WARNING COMES ON SAYING SERVICE SHIFTER. PULLED OVER RESTARTED CAR AND WARNING SOMETIMES COMES BACK ON OR GOES AWAY AND RETURNS LATER. ONE TIME GETTING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE SHIFTER WAS IN REVERSE AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2019
I HAVE HAD MY JEEP CHEROKEE FOR 3 YEARS AND MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN JERKING THE WHOLE TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE. FINALLY TODAY, A SERVICE ERROR CAME UP. IT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF. IT WAS JERKING VERY BADLY AND I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY TODDLER SON SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN SAFETY. I BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS MYSELF..
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 18, 2019
IT BEGAN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON EVEN AFTER OIL CHANGES, THEN WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE IGNITION KEY IT WOULD MAKE A TAP TAP SOUND AS THOUGH IT DIDNT HAVE ANY POWER, OR WHILE I WOULD BE AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE AT A LIGHT IT WOULD SOUND AS THOUGH THE JEEP WAS LOSING POWER AND WAS GOING TO TURN OFF, THEN IT DID TURN OFF ON ME WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED BY A FRIEND HE SAID IT WAS READING THAT IT HAS POWER AND THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD ALSO, THEN FINALLY IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT WT WORK, IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP ME SO I TOOK A CHANCE AND ASKED A STRANGER TO PLEASE CHECK MY CAR, HE GAVE ME A BOOST, IT TOOK 2 MIN TO GET MY JEEP GOING AGAIN..THIS MORNING AT 4:30 AM I WASNT ABLE TO GO TO WORK MY JEEP WOULDN'T TURN ON..SO MY NEIGHBOR TOOK MY TO AUTO PARTS TO BUY A NEW BATTERY, MY JEEP IS 2 YEARS OLD..I'M A SINGLE 52 YEAR OLD FEMALE,I CANT AFFORD TO BE STRANDED OR UNABLE TO GET TO WORK.
Power train, Apr 12, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE. 7,800 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
GEAR SHIFTER: ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND AN ERROR CODE STATING THAT SHIFTER NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH APART. IF THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ERROR CODE DOES NOT RETURN.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON, AND DROVE TO WHITE PLAINS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE (914-946-2600, LOCATED AT 70 WESTCHESTER AVE, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10601). THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
SHIFT GEAR LIGHT COMES ON
Engine, Apr 10, 2019
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, VEHICLE STALLED OUT COMPLETELY, JUST SHUT OFF, UPON TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY BEGAN AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND FOUND IT TO BE USING OIL, HAVING TO ADD 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES, AFTER READING FORUMS, CHRYSLER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS FOR A FEW YEARS ON THEIR 2.4 ENGINES, AND IT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WAS A FEATURE WHEN THE OIL GETS LOW, SO IT DOESN'T CAUSE FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A BUSY ROAD WITH TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. THE LINK SHOWS YOU ONE OF THE MANY FORUMS I HAVE FOUND REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I AM VERY FAITHFUL ON OIL CHANGES, SO THIS WAS NOT DUE TO ANY TYPE OF NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART REGARDING THE OIL. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/JEEP/CHEROKEE/2016/POWER-TRAIN-PROBLEMS.PHP