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2017 Jeep Cherokee problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 Jeep Cherokee has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 6safety recalls
- 1,337owner complaints
- 24crash reports
- 6fire reports
- 17%fail the UK MOT
1,337 complaints, against an average of 878 for the other 10 Jeep Cherokee model years.
Every Jeep Cherokee model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
The components named most often in the 1,337 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2017 Jeep Cherokee owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 1,337 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2017 Jeep Cherokee been recalled?
6 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train 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 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 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.
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: Wiring 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.
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 transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Equipment: Other: Labels 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 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.
Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSATwo speed power transfer unit failure.Two speed power transfer unit failure. Loss of power.
Risk: Affected vehicles may have been built with an improperly seated input shaft snap ring on the power transfer unit (PTU). An input shaft snap ring that is not fully seated may allow uncontrolled movement of the input shaft inward which can cause an unexpected loss of motive power or loss of PARK function while stationary. A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of PARK function can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning and/or injury to others outside the vehicle.
Fix: Install modified software in the Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) and the PTU to detect and monitor for excessive wear within the PTU. If a PTU failure is confirmed by the software the PTU will be replaced.
UK DVSAReverse lamp height
Risk: On certain vehicles built with a specific suspension package the reverse lamps may be above the UN ECE 48.04 height requirement.
Fix: Install the reverse lamp in accordance with the UN ECE 48.04 height requirement.
UK DVSAThe Power Transfer Unit (PTU) may allow relative movement between the input splines and the transmission output shaft
Risk: On affected vehicles relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft in the area of the power transfer unit wear of the input splines cannot be ruled out.
Fix: Reprogram of the Drive Train Control Module and Electric Park Brake.
UK DVSAA possible loss of motive power or park function due to wear in the power transfer unit
Risk: A possible loss of motive power or PARK function due to wear in the Power Transfer Unit.
Fix: Reprogram the Drive Train Control Module and Electric Park Brake.
UK DVSAVehicle short causing can-c bus to stop communicating
Risk: A short in the vehicle causing the CAN-C bus to stop communicating while the cruise control is active and the vehicle speed is below the set speed such that the cruise control system is requesting positive torque at the exact moment of the short it is possible for a positive torque request to be locked on the PCM. This may result in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Fix: Inspect the software level of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and if necessary reprogram the PCM
EU Safety GateAn incorrectly fitted retaining ring in the Power Transfer Unit may cause an unexpected loss of traction and/or failure of the parking…An incorrectly fitted retaining ring in the Power Transfer Unit may cause an unexpected loss of traction and/or failure of the parking function, increasing the risk of an accident and injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 01/07/2026
EU Safety GateThe connection between the transmission and the differential could become disrupted, which can lead to a sudden loss of driving force…The connection between the transmission and the differential could become disrupted, which can lead to a sudden loss of driving force while in motion or to the failure of the parking function when stationary, creating a risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe differential could be damaged.This may result in a loss of drive power and/or the parking function, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2017 Jeep Cherokee owners report?
12 of the 1,337 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 fewer than 5,000 miles since. The PTU failure has led to the following severe mechanical issues: - Stripped Transmission Output Shaft: Due to wear on the differential input splines (associated with NHTSA Recall 20V343 / Manufacturer Recall W47), the…
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 me a couple attempts to get the emergency brake off. I managed to get the car moving and went right back home where then the emergency brake turned on again. I ended up having to call a tow truck. This easily could've been worse if I made the…
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 should. The Jeep was essentially no longer able to transmit power normally, so I stopped driving it. The important sequence is: red light-green light-released brake-pressed accelerator-loud cracking/crushing noise underneath-Jeep wouldn't properly…
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.
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 telemetry completely losses spatial orientation. mapping the vehicle floating deep in blue water (Shenango River Lake), dropping road names, and issuing false audible "entering restricted area" alarms furthermore, the screen suffers a total hardware lock…
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 discovered that the skid plate was cracked, and after further inspection, the contact was informed about the PTU recall and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000…
The component that failed/malfunctioned was the module that activates the EPB. It is available for inspection if requested. My safety was put at risk because the parking brake would engage every time the vehicle shut off leaving me stranded and could put other drivers at risk if my vehicle was stranded on the roadway. It would sometimes reset if the battery was disconnected and then reconnected, but eventually trying to reset it did not work. Within a week, the actuators completely seized and the vehicle was inoperable, requiring to be towed. The problem was confirmed by a Jeep dealership…
The contact owned a Jeep Cherokee. 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 was no additional property damage. The contact's vehicle came to a stop in the driveway while the vehicle spun around and became perpendicular to the road which caused additional damage to the rear passenger door. The driver side air bags did not deploy. The passenger…
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While the contact’s daughter was driving and approaching a stop light, the vehicle continued to drive forward while the brake pedal was depressed. Later, while driving the vehicle…
A SERVICE SHIFTER message appeared out of nowhere, and now all the lights turn on regardless of which gear I'm in. After a quick internet search, it appears MANY people have experienced this exact same issue with various Jeep models. It seems this is an issue the company should take responsibility for and fix with a recall. The parts to replace this faulty design are expensive, and a repair shop cost would be exorbitant.
Vehicle has a known safety Bulletin out from Stellantis for the PTU but this model does not fall under it. I am having issues with the PtU and concerns with safety of driving and others. Will need repaired. Frustration that my certain subsection of this model is not covered under the safety bulletin despite known problems and significant safety risk.
SERVICE SHIFTER AT 40000 MILES AND NOW AT 54000 MILES JEEP IS SPUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATING AND JEEP WILL NOT START. BATTER AND ALTERNATOR ARE GOOD.
2017 Jeep Cherokee: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 1,337 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee; the most common categories were power train (649, 48.5%), electrical system (342, 25.6%), engine (260, 19.4%). There are 6 safety recalls. 24 complaints mention a crash, 6 mention a fire, 27 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Across 1,337 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (48.5% of complaints), electrical system (25.6% of complaints), engine (19.4% of complaints), vehicle speed control (4.5% of complaints), service brakes (4.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee; the most recent (campaign 25V011000, 2025-01-16) concerns Power Train. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2017 Jeep Cherokee stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
173 of the 1,337 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee (12.9%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 25V011000 (power train). The fix: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. One owner wrote: "Vehicle lost power in the middle of a busy road, in the midst of a turn, with my child in the car. Vehicle was towed to Jeep dealership and diagnostics were performed. It was determined that the PTU failed." (NHTSA complaint 11710594, January 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
54 of the 1,337 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee (4%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Car shifts out of gear and when trying to accelerate the car won’t go any faster. Feels like it slips out of gear. Happened out of the blue, NO check engine light and no warning" (NHTSA complaint 11729541, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Cherokee
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2017 only.