About average for the Cherokee
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Cherokee year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 49,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,414 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (637, 45% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 4th of 10 Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023 for complaints. It has 9 recalls.
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Jeep Cherokee before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
637 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a slight incline, the vehicle started moving. The contact depressed the brake pedal and became aware that the 4WD warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into 4WD. The contact associated the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 142,000 miles
Unsafe to drive. PTU failure had it towed to the dealership and I can't afford the repair. They want me to drive it home anyway.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
321 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
pulling out of a gas station the engine revved and accelerated without me pressing on the pedal harder. i tried pressing the brakes and they would not respond. It caused my vehicle to crash into a pole where it continued to rev until the vehicle was turned off.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally with an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #5. The fuel injectors were cleaned, and the spark plugs and filters…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 58,000 miles
Electrical system
298 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,778 and at the time of the vehicle's oil change, it was discovered that on the last oil change the mileage was 90,003.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,003 miles
There is an open recall for 2014 -2016 Jeep Cherokees for a problem with the power liftgate module. My vehicle is a 2016 Cherokee but it is not included in the recall. The liftgate module in my vehicle is being replaced right now for the same issue in the recall , water intrusion. I would like to know why vehicle is not included in the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
131 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The parking brake has engaged on it's own 4 times. Twice while I was driving and twice while I was parked in my driveway with car started and attempting to leave. When parked it will not let me roll. When driving the vehicle shimmies and acts like it has serious problems like the wheel is about to fall off. One time there was a yellow…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The parking brake will sometimes activate while driving the vehicle, I happens twice driving loosing control of the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
76 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control system failed to maintain the set speed. The contact stated that the speed fluctuated up and down erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 40,500 miles
2016 jeep cherokee. When starting to accelerate from a stop, car starts to move then hesitates as if shifting to a higher gear, way to early. Rpms go up then transmission shifts back down to correct gear, causing jerking reaction and then runs normally. The only good thing is that this problem comes and goes. Problems started around 2018…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 22,000 miles
Steering
54 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving or idle at the light the ABS light, traction control light and parking brake light come on and have a loss power steering.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure the check engine warning light, PCM warning light, and traction control warning were illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 96,000 miles
Fuel system
45 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Took vehicle to Mechanic Shop as I kept smelling gas . Especially when I fill my tank with gas. At first I thought it was incidental but the smell was confirmed as the mechanic checked my car he discovered a gas leak from the GAS TANK! He said this is very unusual as the hose housed on the tank is built into the tank and this usually…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I received an FCA recall notice, GW270231, for my 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude related to the Catalyst Efficiency-U90 recall on 1/22/24. . I attempted to schedule a recall service appointment at two different local Jeep/Chrysler dealerships. The first one (Aritioli Jeep) Enfield, CT. stated they were unable to obtain the correct parts and…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
35 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (21).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Water leak on front passenger door floor coming out of cabin filter area. Concerned that it will cause rotting of floorboard body of vehicle. Dealer cleaned out plug but that did not fix the problem. Dealer does not know how to fix it. Read on several forums that this is a problem with other jeep owners.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Automatic trunk does not open with either inside button on dash or outside button on latch. So I had to open it manually. While it was up the motor spontaneously activated, causing the trunk lid to hit me on the head. When it did hit my head, it did not automatically go back up. The issue is intermittent and when I took it to the dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
33 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 13,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The right side visor came loose, not being able to hold any position, hanging to be a distraction and impeding view. The issue seems to be a plastic component of the swivel joint broke just above where it's reinforced by metal. I assume both sides have similar construction/design, at risk of this mode of failure. A quick internet search…Owner complaint, filed 2022
While I was at a stand still at a railroad crossing, the rear windshield shattered independently without impact. I did not see any warning lights prior to the incident. I had called the police department and filed a police report as I did not know what happened at the time. No one was injured nor needed medical attention. I was able to…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Air bags
31 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was involved in a significant front-end collision while driving my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle sustained extensive front-end damage, including substantial damage to the hood, front bumper, and front structural/components area. Despite the severity of the collision, none of the airbags deployed. I sustained injuries to my neck…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Took a hard Impact to the rear driver side tire and rear driver door corner small dent(near rear tire), and was spun 180° causing being propelled into a light pole on the passenger front and side. No airbags deployed in the entire vehicle. Multiple people in the vehicle in the vehicle sustained concussions, one also hit their head off…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
30 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (24).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving my car and the parking brake went on at a stop light and wouldn’t unstick. Water has been leaking in to the car and it isn’t properly sealed.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Based on the findings of road side assistance, due to water intrusion from heavy rains my emergency parking brake is now malfunctioning. It will not turn off when it is pressed in conjunction with the brake pedal. The light simply blinks and stops the car from moving when in the drive position.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Suspension
21 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving on [XXX] N in Jacksonville, FL on [XXX]. Driving below the recommended speed limit my Jeep Cherokee Sport started to rattle and shake so violently I almost lost control of the vehicle. I hit a small bump in the road, was forced off to the right side and the front drivers wheel broke off from the drum. It was a frightening…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal popping and clicking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 49,000 miles
Wheels and tires
19 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
On 1/30/2023, I had a flat tire and called AAA for assistance. The AAA technician was unable to remove the tire and said the vehicle would need to be taken to a full-service auto shop. I then called Firestone Complete Auto Care to see if my vehicle could be looked at there. The Firestone technician let me know the problem with getting…Owner complaint, filed 2023
We own a 2016 jeep cherokee. Last night my wife was stranded with a flat along a busy highway. She attempted to change the tire but could not get the lug nuts off. I drove to the site and yes every lug nut on this vehicle are swelled and will not budge even with impact wrench. The issue I have is this is a known problem and people are…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 90,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 27,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I sat in my driver seat and the latch completely broke so now my seat does not stay latched and it jumps up every time I hit a bump on the road. It has caused me to swerve into different lanes by accident and could ultimately cause serious injury if I get into an accident. The vehicle was stationery when it broke.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 52,000 miles
Front passenger seat squeaks when the car is in motion. The seat tends to move a little forward and then backward when coming to a stop. I noticed this after I brought the car home, I called the dealer and he states something is loose but didn't know what.Owner complaint, filed 2018
Jeep Cherokee complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | About average | 9 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Among the worst years | 5 |
2016 Jeep Cherokee recalls
Electrical system Rear compartment / trunkPark outside until fixed
- Risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Differential unit
- Risk
- A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
- 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…
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Equipment
- Risk
- If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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
Seats
- Risk
- Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Axle shaft
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Axle shaft
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Rear compartment / trunk
- Risk
- A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary.
Full recall summary
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.
2016 Jeep Cherokee questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee are the transmission and drivetrain (637 complaints), the engine and cooling (321 complaints) and the electrical system (298 complaints).
Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee a good year to buy?
About average for the Cherokee. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Cherokee year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 49,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The most recent, from May 2023, covers the rear compartment / trunk. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 49,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 42,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Jeep Cherokee years should I avoid?
The Cherokee years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
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