Jeep Cherokee Complaints (2016)

1,413 consumer complaints on file.

#11690880October 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The PTU system is failing. If it completely fails, the car will lock at any time. The part is backordered and may take months to get here because so many Jeep owners are having this problem. The dealerships confirmed this. There is a service 4wd light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690669September 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has been turning off while driving after pressing on the brakes. The dashboard will flicker/glitch, then the battery will go from 13.9V all the way up to 15.2V then back down then turn off. No service light or battery light will come up, I have taken it to auto zone and they said everything is fine with the battery/alternator. When the car shuts off, I have to press the start button, then shift into park and then press start again for it to work, if I shift it into park immediately when it turns off the car will not turn back on and I cannot shift gears.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689932September 26, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Took vehicle to Mechanic Shop as I kept smelling gas . Especially when I fill my tank with gas. At first I thought it was incidental but the smell was confirmed as the mechanic checked my car he discovered a gas leak from the GAS TANK! He said this is very unusual as the hose housed on the tank is built into the tank and this usually lasts the life of the car. How does something like this happen? No accidents, have not run over any sharp objects etc...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689422September 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the “Service 4-WD” warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687366September 15, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vibrating issue and missing fire originating from engine. Intake camshaft broken and left cylinder head is damaged and needs replacement. This should not be happening to this car. Cannot drive a faster rate either. There should be a claim out for all these issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686631September 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude is 9years old with 89,800 miles of regular driving & being fully maintained. The Service 4-wheel light came on & I brought it to my mechanic immediately the next day. I was advised after performing tests, it was the PTU in my car. I was advised there is a recall & to take it to the dealer. I did that immediately, while being terrified to drive it as I was advised it could be very dangerous. I or someone could have been badly injured or worse if this part gave way while driving. Something this dangerous should be mentioned immediately to ALL vehicle owners. The dealer confirmed it is the PTU & that it had to be replaced. I was advised my vin was not under the very large recall & well know issue on this part. After a lot of research, Stellantis is well aware of the issue & there is a recall for 2017- 2019 models. Also, they don't have plan in place or a way of correcting this part & distributing it quickly. I had a recall in 2020 for a software update on this and it was taken care of immediately. For some reason the failure of my PTU is not under this recall & I have to pay out of pocket. It has been 3 weeks & still no part due to the huge issue with this part and Stellantis not working hard enough to rectify this known issue or have replacements available. Stellantis needs to extend the recall to all 2016 Cherokee's especially since this is a major issue on this make and model. This is so unacceptable. I am without a vehicle and cannot even use it until the part comes in since it is extremely unsafe to drive (told by my mechanic and the dealer). The consumer should not be penalized due to the incompetence of these auto makers. We are supposed to be safe in our vehicles especially when they are maintained as well as mine is. We spend our hard-earned money and should not have to pay for all these defects due to the poor quality the auto makers are rolling out. Not to mention the resale has dropped significantly!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685968September 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle in dealership service dept since July 16, 2025 for manufacturing recall; attempted repair rendered vehicle inoperable; 2nd part ordered arrived damaged; third part in open order until verbal date of February 2026; no recall remedy such as loaner vehicle; extended warranty purchased but cannot use; manufacturer warranty expired; need transportation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685986September 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the liftgate was closed, there was a warning light indicating that the liftgate was open. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the liftgate, the liftgate failed to open. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to park the vehicle outside and not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure) was performed; however, the power liftgate failed to close after the repair, and the battery was drained. The dealer jump-started the vehicle and determined that the liftgate latch needed to be replaced. The contact was charged a fee for the repair, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle the following day, the contact noticed that the windshield wipers were inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where an unknown fuse was replaced, and the windshield wipers became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the rearview camera image was black while reversing, and the infotainment system was inoperable intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty starting. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on one occasion and was jump-started by AAA. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where it was diagnosed with a lack of electrical connection with the key fob. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the various electrical failures had started after the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,286.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685269September 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle was a private dealer sale in May of 2025. The contact stated that while receiving a diagnostic test, the contact became aware that the odometer mileage reading on the vehicle of 245,000 failed to match the odometer reading after the diagnostic test of 401,800. The current mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685286September 5, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685362September 5, 2025
ENGINE
Subject: Possible Recall Repair Connection to Open Recall U90 Dear NHTSA, I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding my 2016 Jeep Cherokee with the 2.4L engine. I have been experiencing chronic coolant loss for approximately two years. After conducting research, I discovered the open recall, Emissions Recall U90, related to the exhaust manifold, and I suspect that my coolant loss may be connected to this defect. On September 4, 2025, I visited a Jeep dealership in Delray, where I was told that a leaking hose was the cause of my coolant loss, and they recommended replacing it to re-evaluate the leak. However, the following day, September 5, 2025, I sought a second opinion from a dealership located at 3701 Northlake Blvd, Lake Park, FL 33403. Unfortunately, during that visit, I was dismissed by Raheem, the service representative, who referred to me as a "clown" and refused to assist me. In light of these experiences, I sought service at Midas later that same day to address my coolant leak issues. I believe this situation warrants your attention, as it may be indicative of a larger problem related to the open recall. Your guidance on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684947September 4, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have owned my jeep since 2019. Since having my jeep MULTIPLE times I have had the Service shifter light come on. Previously shutting the vehicle off and turning it back on seemed to solve the issue for a little bit until it would come on again. Later down the road my battery died. Upon replacing the battery I didn't seem to notice the issue ever. Now I have another new battery and the light has come on permantely and does not turn off even if I restart the car and as I stated it is a brand new battery. I know there was a recall for this exact issue previously for the year before mine and the year after mine. Something needs to be done about this because i see countless people have this exact same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684705September 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subject: Urgent Safety Concern – 2016 Jeep Cherokee Gear Shifting Issue Good Morning, I am writing to report a serious safety concern with my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. I have been experiencing persistent issues with the gear shifter and transmission that I believe may be related to a known defect or may warrant investigation under a recall. The gear shifter frequently locks up and does not change gears properly. It stays in the wrong gear for an extended period—both when going uphill and downhill—before finally shifting, often accompanied by a loud noise. In some cases, the gear becomes stuck entirely, forcing me to take my foot off the accelerator. This delay in shifting poses a significant risk, especially in traffic, as I temporarily lose control of the vehicle's speed. During these moments, pressing the accelerator has no effect, which could easily lead to a dangerous situation. While the vehicle is still drivable, it consistently displays warning indicators suggesting a serious issue that needs professional attention. These problems are ongoing and seem to be getting worse over time. Given the safety implications, I am requesting that Jeep investigate this matter urgently and confirm whether my vehicle is subject to any active recalls or technical service bulletins (TSBs). If not, I would still appreciate guidance on how to resolve this as soon as possible, as I am concerned for my safety and that of others on the road. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] Email [XXX] VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684887September 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure with "Service 4WD" message with "transmission service" message. Unfortunately, my car is not part of the recall but it is a similar issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680609August 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My power transfer unit busted into several different parts. There was no warning lights, it went to making a noise & when they took the skid cover off pieces came falling out. This happened last year & everywhere we look the part is on back order. So I'm paying a note on a vehicle that can't be used.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679699August 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The Power Transfer Unit in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee failed when it only had 50,255 miles on it. The car was almost 10 years old. In the past month, when I tried to accelerate to 50 mph to merge on the highway, the Jeep did not accelerate normally when I pressed on the gas. Instead, it went slowly and made a revving noise, then when I hit the accelerator again, it made the revving noise louder and reluctantly started to accelerate. It would also lose drive power when going down a steep incline. There were a few instances of that and then the “SERVICE 4WD” light came on every day when I would put the car into reverse and stay on for the rest of the time I was driving the car. After that light came on, I noticed there was abnormal vibration underneath the middle of the car when I would drive it, too. The problem was confirmed on [XXX] in the service department of the Don White’s Jeep dealership in Cockeysville, Maryland, and the car is available for inspection there. My service advisor told me my Jeep needs a new PTU and the estimated cost of the repair is $3563 (not including tax). I ordered the new PTU on 7/29/25, but the parts manager at the dealership said the part is on backorder, and it will take at least 1 month, if not multiple months to get the part because there are “380 other Jeep owners” waiting for this same part. With the vibration, loss of motive power both on inclines and when attempting to accelerate and merge onto the highway, the safety of my family was put at risk; Our Jeep could lose drive power and the car could stop on the highway with cars speeding all around us. It could cause a crash. My PTU failed at 50,255 after not quite 10 years of very light driving. There’s no way that part should have failed under those normal conditions. My VIN number should be included in recall 20V343000 or FCA should reimburse me for this part. The repair would have been covered under my warranties if my VIN was included in the original recalls or X89 extension. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677721August 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The PTU is defective. Service 4wheel drive dash light on. Did "software update" but did not fix problems. I need to have the ptu replaced!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677471July 31, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN AT IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT THE PARKING BRAKE WILL ENGAGE. I HAVE TO PUT MY JEEP IN PARK AND THEN TURN THE JEEP OFF AND BACK ON A FEW TIMES TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677474July 31, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AUTOMATIC START STOP SYSTEM SHOWS FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677602July 31, 2025
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake switch was released, however the parking brake failed to release as intended. The contact stated that after several attempts, the parking brake was released. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed park brake switch. The contact was informed that the parking brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Jeep Cherokee