AI Damage2017 Jeep Cherokee: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee filed 1,337 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 203 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,337
- involving a crash
- 24
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 203
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 49% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 26% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 3% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 649 complaints (49% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 59.
- Electrical system: 342 complaints (26% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 65.
- Engine: 260 complaints (19% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Vehicle speed control: 60 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 57 complaints (4% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 6 complaints
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,337 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 649 | 5 | 59 |
| Electrical system | 342 | 3 | 65 |
| Engine | 260 | 3 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 60 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 57 | 4 | 5 |
| Steering | 45 | 1 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control | 42 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 26 | 14 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 16 | 1 | 3 |
| Structure | 12 | 1 | 26 |
| Wheels | 12 | 1 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph , while raining, when coming down a decline on the roadway, a truck with a trailer was stopped and turning into a driveway, the corner of front driver side near the headlights collided with the pickup truck and the trailer.
There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or fire. A police report was not filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
The air bags failed to deploy. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where he was informed that his upper spine disk could be dislocated or fractured. An appointment was scheduled for an MRI. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained at the scene on the side of the road.
Every single dealership and mechanic I’ve brought it to says there is nothing wrong with the car, yet it continues to shut off while driving… I did crash the first time it happened, but it was in a snow storm and possibly unrelated? No injuries or damage.
I had it 2 weeks, and the brakes failed. Due to something the shop did I’m sure but I rear ended a lady with no brakes at 45-50 mph. Slamming directly into her even though I saw her. I broke my toe I hit the brakes so hard.
An engine heater warning was displayed as the engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop as all motive power was lost. The vehicle rolled to a stop crashing into debris on the side of the roadway.
My jeep has about 26,000 miles on it, since I've purchased this vehicle brand new off the lot, it has been towed 6 times for engine failure. My engine is burning the oil, with out warning while driving, the car shuts off. The dealer insists this is normal, but it is not normal for a car to absorb or burn oil.
'shifter bezel and wiring requires replacement according to eide chrysler service techs 'shift module not functioning ' replaced by eide chrysler twice 'vehicle randomly swaps between r/n/d while driving 'vehicle has difficult time starting 'check engine light ' code p0128 ' coolant temperature below thermostat…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 19 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cherokee has 472 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 1,337, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information
- (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination…
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…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
NHTSA lists 203 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 1,337. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), stalls while driving (8%), loss of power / limp mode (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA lists 203 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Jeep Cherokee from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.