NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The power transfer unit may become damaged and disconnect from the transmission and differential, causing loss of driving power and/or inability to park the vehicle.
This page covers 9 recalls, 1315 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee.
23–25 mpg combined
9.4–10.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee centers on the powertrain, which accounts for the largest share of owner reports by a wide margin. The power transfer unit (PTU) is the most consistently mentioned component, owners describe grinding noises, clunking sounds, and 4WD warning lights illuminating, often followed by a diagnosis of PTU failure. These reports span a range of mileages and driving conditions, with highway driving being a common context when the failure becomes apparent. A recurring detail is that the 4WD system switches modes or throws service warnings without driver input. The engine and electrical system each draw a secondary cluster of complaints, though at lower volume. Some owners also report a persistent "Service Shifter" warning that multiple shops decline to address, citing the component as a lifetime part.
1,315
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Jeep Cherokee has 9 recalls, the most serious being a power transfer unit defect that can cause sudden loss of drive power while moving or allow the vehicle to roll away when parked.
Recalls 1 through 4 all describe variations of the same underlying problem: the power transfer unit can fail and disconnect the transmission from the drivetrain, leaving the driver without power to the wheels or, when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, allowing it to move unexpectedly. There is also a software recall covering the cruise control system, which can fail to disengage when the driver tries to cancel it, maintaining or increasing speed against the driver's intent.
On the safety equipment side, the driver's knee airbag inflator may have an improper weld that prevents the bag from fully deploying in a crash, reducing protection for the driver's legs. This issue affects a narrow range of vehicles built over just a few days in October 2016.
The remaining recalls concern the certification label, which on some vehicles is missing the required tire and rim size information, making it harder to confirm the correct tire and wheel combination is installed.
At a glance
What can fail
The power transfer unit may become damaged and disconnect from the transmission and differential, causing loss of driving power and/or inability to park the vehicle.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The snap ring holding the input shaft in the power transfer unit may be improperly installed, causing PTU damage and failure. This could result in loss of power to the wheels or unintended vehicle movement when parked.
What the fix does
Dealership will update the drivetrain control module and install monitoring software to detect PTU problems. If a warning appears, the PTU will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power transfer unit may fail and disconnect from the transmission and differential, causing you to lose driving power or the ability to keep the vehicle in park.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a software update at no cost to restore proper power transfer unit function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Power Transfer Unit may allow the transmission output shaft to move relative to the differential input splines, causing spline teeth to wear away. This can break the connection between the transmission and differential, cutting power to the front wheels and disabling the Park function.
What the fix does
A software update will switch the vehicle to rear-wheel drive if the front splines fail and automatically engage the electronic parking brake to prevent rolling when parked.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The certification label on the driver's door jamb is missing tire and rim size information, which could lead to installing wrong tires or rims on your vehicle.
What the fix does
Chrysler will send you a corrected certification label with the proper tire and rim size information at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The label on your vehicle may be missing required tire and rim size information, which could lead to installing incorrect sizes that affect handling and crash risk.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the certification label with one that includes the correct tire and rim size information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's knee air bag inflator has improper welds that may prevent it from inflating properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's knee airbag inflator may have a faulty weld that prevents full deployment during a crash, increasing injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the knee airbag assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
