2017 Jeep Cherokee
Common Problems
Ranked from 785 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
28 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
Shifting Issues
583complaintsSafety riskTransmissionVehicle hesitates or stalls while shifting gears, often accompanied by a service shifter warning.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 2
Service Shifter Light Randomly Comes On
193complaintsSafety riskOtherThe service shifter light randomly comes on, causing all gear shift lights to illuminate red.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V543000
- 3
Service Shifter Warning Light
78complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe service shifter warning light illuminates along with all shifter lights, causing confusion about the current gear and potentially leading to vehicle shutdown.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V332000
- 4
Engine Dies While Driving
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine suddenly dies while driving, often without warning, leading to potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Engine Stall and Check Engine Light
19complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or loses power, accompanied by the check engine light, potentially leading to vehicle shutdown and difficulty restarting.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Engine Stalling and Unpredictable Shutdowns
19complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls unexpectedly while driving, posing a significant safety risk and requiring immediate attention.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Loss of Motive Power
15complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe vehicle experiences sudden loss of power, often at high speeds, leading to reduced control and potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 8
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Malfunction
15complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe PTU malfunctions leading to loss of power and potential accidents, requiring frequent replacements.
Related recall: 23V302000
- 9
Engine Stall at High Speed
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly at high speeds, leading to loss of control and potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Parking Brake Malfunction
10complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe parking brake fails to release or engages unexpectedly, preventing the vehicle from moving.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Service Shifter Light Occurs Randomly
9complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe service shifter light appears randomly while driving, causing all shift lever lights to illuminate.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V332000
- 12
Random Power Loss
8complaintsMedium severityTransmissionVehicle experienced random power loss during operation, often requiring a restart to regain functionality.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 13
Transmission Malfunction Causing Stalling
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission malfunctions causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly while driving.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 14
Transmission Sputtering and Loss of Power
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission sputters and loses power, especially during acceleration or uphill driving, posing a safety risk.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 15
Engine Stall During Driving
7complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, often accompanied by a loss of power and difficulty in restarting.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Engine Stalls Without Warning
7complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls without any warning lights or indicators, making it difficult to predict and avoid potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Service Shifter Light and Gear Indicator Malfunction
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe 'Service Shifter' light and gear indicators frequently malfunction, requiring repeated repairs and creating frustration for drivers.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V332000
- 18
Unreliable Gear Shifter
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe gear shifter malfunctions, causing the vehicle to shift unexpectedly or not at all, leading to difficulty in driving.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 19
Unresponsive Acceleration
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionVehicle failed to accelerate as expected, resulting in loss of power and difficulty maintaining speed.
Related recall: 23V302000
- 20
Unresponsive Accelerator Pedal
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive, causing the vehicle to fail to accelerate as intended, posing a safety risk.
Related recall: 23V302000
- 21
Drivetrain Control Module Failure
4complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe drivetrain control module fails, resulting in the vehicle displaying warning lights and malfunctioning during operation.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 22
Transmission Slipping
4complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips, causing the vehicle to lose power and feel like it is in neutral.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 23
PTU Failure Causing Transmission Lockout
3complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure causes the transmission to lock out, preventing the vehicle from moving and posing a safety risk.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 24
PTU Failure Causing Unpredictable Driving Behavior
3complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure results in unpredictable driving behavior, including sudden loss of power and unintended movement, posing a safety risk.
Related recall: 23V302000
- 25
Random Dashboard Alerts and Vehicle Immobility
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalMultiple random dashboard alerts and the vehicle becoming immobile simultaneously create a high safety risk and frustration for drivers.
Related recall: 18V332000
- 26
Transmission Jerking and Shuddering During Acceleration
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission jerks and shudders during acceleration, leading to inconsistent performance and potential safety concerns.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V302000
- 27
Unexplained Stall and Loss of Power
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe vehicle unexpectedly stalls and loses power, often without warning, leading to potential safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Engine Oil Cooler Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine oil cooler cracks and fails, leading to coolant and oil leaks and engine overheating.
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.