2016 Jeep Cherokee
Common Problems
Ranked from 701 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
21 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Service Shifter Light and Gear Indicator Malfunction
503complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe service shifter light and gear indicators randomly illuminate, causing confusion and requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted to clear the warning.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 2
Service Shifter Light Occurs Randomly
135complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe service shifter light appears randomly while driving or when starting the car, causing all gear shift lights to illuminate.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 3
Engine Misfire and Stalling
111complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine misfires and stalls frequently, especially during acceleration or while driving, leading to loss of power and difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Check Engine Light Illumination
39complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe check engine light illuminates due to various electrical system failures, often requiring diagnosis and repair.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 5
Engine using excessive oil
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to potential engine damage if not addressed.
- 6
Parking Brake Issues
6complaintsMedium severityBrakesParking brake engages unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Steering System Malfunction
6complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering system becomes firm or fails to function properly, often leading to difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
- 8
Transmission Malfunction
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission malfunctions cause the vehicle to stall, shift harshly, or fail to change gears, leading to potential accidents.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 9
Electrical System Glitches
5complaintsLow severityElectricalElectrical glitches include dashboard flickering, automatic start-stop system failures, and warning lights.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 10
Engine Misfire and Power Loss
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and experiences power loss, leading to stalling and random shutdowns during driving.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Service 4WD Light On Due to PTU Issues
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe 'Service 4WD' light illuminates due to a PTU failure, indicating potential drivability issues.
Related recall: 23V302000
- 12
Random Shifting and Service Shifter Warning
4complaintsMedium severityTransmissionRandom shifting and 'Service Shifter' warnings appear without clear cause, leading to drivability issues.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 13
Random Stopping and Locking Up
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle suddenly stops and locks up, causing the parking brake to engage unexpectedly while driving.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 14
Unexplained Random Shutdowns
4complaintsHigh severityOtherThe vehicle randomly shuts down while driving, often requiring a restart and causing safety concerns.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Dashboard Malfunction
3complaintsLow severityElectricalThe dashboard displays random errors and malfunctions, including the check shifter light and service 4WD warning, disrupting the driving experience.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 16
Parking Brake Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe parking brake has failed to release properly, requiring multiple attempts to disengage.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Suspension Noise and Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension components have made abnormal noises and experienced intermittent failures.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Air Bag Deployment Issues
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalAir bags deploy unexpectedly without any impact, posing a safety risk to passengers.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 19
Airbag malfunction during collisions
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalIn some cases, airbags do not deploy during collisions, increasing the risk of injury.
Related recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 20
Defective exterior lighting causing premature burnout
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe exterior lighting, specifically headlamps, burns out prematurely, requiring frequent replacements.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V332000, 15V826000, 23V338000
- 21
Unreliable Service Shifter Light
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe service shifter light intermittently comes on and goes off, causing confusion for the driver.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.