2017 Jeep Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (554) · Engine (125) · Electrical System (102)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Cherokee model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
834 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Power Train 2025-01-16 · campaign 25V011000 · 63,130 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-04-27 · campaign 23V302000 · 25,980 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2020-06-11 · campaign 20V343000 · 67,248 vehicles
Defect: 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 transmissio
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:software 2018-05-17 · campaign 18V332000 · 4,815,661 vehicles
Defect: 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 c
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 transmissi
Equipment:other:labels 2017-08-31 · campaign 17V543000 · 22,242 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:knee Bolster 2016-11-02 · campaign 16V799000 · 88 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (257)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2026-07-23 · 08-292-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
unable to clear c1494-07 and c14a9-00 after 45a recall technicians may experience the following: symptom: ● witech displays a mismatch error after performing recall 45a.
Engine 2026-07-09 · 03-002-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
stop/start illuminated, 0x22 during fork wear routine technicians may experience the following: symptom: ● negative response 0x22 after recall 01c flash triggers one or more communication codes with controllers.
Power Train 2026-07-09 · 03-001-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
unable to complete 01c recall drive cycle c14a7-97 active technicians may experience the following: symptom: ● after performing recall 01c, the vehicle may get a 'service awd' message on the evic.
Structure:body 2026-04-22 · S2523000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
door latch, handle and ajar additional service information.
Power Train 2026-04-11 · 21-027-26 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
two speed power transfer unit customers must experience a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination and the vehicle must symptom: exhibit/set the following diagnostic trouble code (dtc): ? c1494-07 - ptu fork position-mechanincal failures. customers m
Power Train 2026-04-08 · 14082 · Warranty Program/Extension
(xx1) two speed power transfer unit (ptu) - select 2017 - 2019 jeep cherokee (kl)
Showing the 6 most recent of 257 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Power Train · 75,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 jeep cherokee. the contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the “service 4wd” warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with ptu failure. the contact was informed that the ptu needed to be replaced. the dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. the conta…”
2026-10-15 · Power Train“hello, i am writing to follow up on an issue i reported a month ago regarding an unaddressed recall on my 2017 jeep cherokee. the vehicle is currently not drivable due to significant consequential damage to the transmission caused by a failed power transfer unit (ptu). i purchased this vehicle nine months ago at 51,000 miles and have driven it fe…”
2026-10-05 · Structure:body“there was a leak in my trunk that completely shorted out my electric parking break module. my safety and others safety were put at risk because the emergency break was turning on automatically and i could not control it. i noticed it blinking and quickly pulled into a parking lot where the brake went on. i couldn't move the car at that time it took…”
2026-10-01 · Power Train“i was stopped at a red light. when the light turned green, i took my foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. bi heard a loud cracking/crushing noise coming from underneath the vehicle. when i tried to accelerate, the jeep would not shift properly into gear. the engine revved, but the vehicle did not accelerate normally / did not move as it …”
2026-09-21 · Power Train“ptu failed on my 2017 cherokee jeep. it should be involved in a recall but it is not and i’m paying out of pocket to this repair.…”
2026-09-04 · Suspension“critical vehicle system safety & telematics failures: 1.electrical & elictrical defects: the vehicle's primary infotainment and factory navigation display module suffers a total software and hardware failure. module suffers a total software and hardware failure. while operating on public roadway, including [xxx] entering [xxx], the tracking telemet…”
2026-09-01 · Unknown Or Other“i’m trying to get my car fixed the diagnostic result was that i need a new transfer case as a right now the the waiting time for that part is 8 months and over 700 on backup orders the more i dig in to this part it seems that is an issue with this model, probably should have been a recall on this. please help me out to see if jeep can help with thi…”
2026-09-01 · Unknown Or Other“i was stopped at a red light and once the light turned green my vehicle made a grinding noise and would not go faster than about 15 miles per hour. i pulled through the intersection and over to the side of the road and put my hazard lights on and put the vehicle in park but it wanted to roll while in park so i put the parking brake on. there was no…”
2026-08-24 · Power Train · 89,117 mi“the contact's mother owns a 2017 jeep cherokee. while the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. the “service 4wd” message was displayed. the contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 mph. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, w…”
2026-08-21 · Power Train · 204,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 jeep cherokee. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the contact pulled over to the side of the road. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who disc…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.