Your vehicle report
2016 Jeep Cherokee
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 1,413
- Received Nov 2015 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Jeep Cherokee stalls while driving187 complaints · 13% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Gear shifter fails to register Park98 complaints · 6.9% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Engine suddenly shuts off while driving89 complaints · 6.3% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #23V338000Park outsideChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- Recall #23V302000Chrysler (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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Transfer case shifts into 4-wheel drive unexpectedlyFirst signal: Sep 2020
- Parking brake fails to hold or releaseFirst signal: Mar 2021
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 37 crashes, 15 fires, 27 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
- Gear shifter fails to register Park
- Engine suddenly shuts off while driving
- Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips
8 more problems
- Transmission fails or loses power while driving
- Transfer case shifts into 4-wheel drive unexpectedly
- Check engine light comes on repeatedly
- Engine burns excessive oil between changes
- Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed
- Unintended acceleration despite braking
- Cruise control fails to disengage
- Head gasket leaks coolant into engine
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 95 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2019 | 271 |
| 2020 | 202 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 149 |
| 2024 | 120 |
| 2025 | 108 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 57 |
| Total | 1,413 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee stalls while driving | 187 | 13% | 27.7× | |
| Gear shifter fails to register Park | 98 | 6.9% | 1.9× | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 89 | 6.3% | 1.2× | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 80 | 5.7% | 1.1× | NHTSA recall #20V343000 |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 48 | 3.4% | 0.7× | NHTSA recall #20V343000, #23V302000 |
| Transfer case shifts into 4-wheel drive unexpectedly | 44 | 3.1% | 53.3× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Sep 2020 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 0.4% |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 43 | 3.0% | 0.9× | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 37 | 2.6% | – | |
| Parking brake fails to hold or release | 31 | 2.2% | 16.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Mar 2021 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.0% |
| Turn signals work intermittently or fail | 24 | 1.7% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 19 | 1.3% | 2.4× | NHTSA recall #23V338000 |
| Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed | 19 | 1.3% | 2.1× | NHTSA recall #23V302000 |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 18 | 1.3% | 1.1× | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 16 | 1.1% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 16 | 1.1% | – | NHTSA recall #18V332000 |
| Instrument cluster or speedometer fails | 15 | 1.1% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 14 | 1.0% | – | |
| Cruise control fails to disengage | 13 | 0.9% | – | NHTSA recall #18V332000 |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 13 | 0.9% | – | |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 12 | 0.9% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #23V338000May 11, 2023132,099 vehicles affected
Park outside: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk; structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA recall #23V302000April 27, 202325,980 vehicles affected
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.
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #20V343000June 11, 202067,248 vehicles affected
power train: automatic transmission; 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.
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #18V332000May 17, 20184,815,661 vehicles affected
electrical system: software; electrical system: wiring; vehicle speed control: cruise control
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.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #17V824000December 21, 201761,791 vehicles affected
equipment
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
NHTSA recall #16V590000August 10, 20161,827 vehicles affected
seats; seats: mid/rear assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall S63.
NHTSA recall #16V284000May 11, 20161,029 vehicles affected
power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
NHTSA recall #16V287000May 11, 201652 vehicles affected
power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
NHTSA recall #15V826000December 9, 201532,784 vehicles affected
electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk; structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. This recall is superseded by NHTSA recall 23V-338.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN