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 47,000 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 1,339 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (651, 49% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 5th of 10 Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
11 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 2017 Jeep Cherokee before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
651 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 47,000 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
Service 4 wheel drive light came on vehicle loss of power unsafe to drive. Vehicle is currently at Westbrook Jeep dealership i. WESTBROOK MAINE waiting on new PTU part on backorderOwner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the “Service 4WD” warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 75,000 miles
Electrical system
342 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 40,000 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
When driving a message popped up to "Service Shifter" and all the red lights turned on the shifter. I was unable to switch out of thus screen to bring the digital odometer back up like when other service message appear. When I was able to pull over and turn off the car and wait and turn it back on again the message and lights appeared…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have had this vehicle since 2017. Over the years the shifter lights have flashed but I turn off the car and it’s fine. I believe there are electrical issues with these models. Yesterday my car randomly shut off. It could have been due to the heat but it was very dangerous. My brights have gone out and it could be because of an…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
265 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 40,000 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
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle jerked and stalled while stopped at a traffic light. No warning light was illuminated. After several attempts the vehicle restarted; however, the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no cause for…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 67,000 miles
Engine oil cooler has cracked and failed 1 month out of 1 year warranty. Cracks due to cold temperatures and warming up engine. Leaks oil all over and engine coolant.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
103 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 45,000 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 contact’s daughter owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact was informed that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to engage. The vehicle jumped a curb, causing the driver to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The Brake Warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 120,000 miles
While I was driving, the brakes completely failed. I was not able to stop my car. The brakes could not be tapped and the pedal simply did not move. I was only able to move the pedal approximately 1/2in applying tremendous pressure and the car slowed down to a stop. Upon repair, the “vacuum brake booster bump” failed, which is (I am told)…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
60 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 36,000 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
There was no accident but I would like to prevent one. I believe there should be a recall on my vehicle regarding the service shifter. This defect could potentially result in power loss to the front wheels and the transmission being impossible to put into park. My vehicle service shifter light is on and my car jerks while driving. Is…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The following occurred at approximately 10:40 am: While traveling on our way home from grocery shopping, heading west on G Ave (Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on the north side of WalMart), cruise control was set to 53 mph (55 mph speed zone). Vehicle began to accelerate up to 59 mph, well beyond speed control setting, whereupon I pushed…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
45 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 38,000 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
my 2017 jeep cherokee (vin [XXX] ) has two recalls that are affecting the vhicle. the first is the shifter and harness recall that causes the vehicle to display "service shifter" messages randomly, and all of the shifter lights turn on. the second is the recall effecting how the vehicle shifts. please send me information on how to get…Owner complaint, filed 2023
While driving the Service Shifter prompt came on and all the lights on the gear box turned red. The safety risk when this prompt came on is huge as you are driving and trying not to panic as you don't know if the car will stall or stop suddenly. MANY other people with Jeeps have experienced this problem. There should be a recall for this…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Air bags
26 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
The contact owned a Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph , while raining, when coming down a decline on the roadway, a truck with a trailer was stopped and turning into a driveway, the corner of front driver side near the headlights collided with the pickup truck and the trailer. There was no…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver inadvertently drove off the road and lost control of the steering, causing the vehicle to drive over a driveway, go airborne, and crash into a large boulder. The contact indicated that during the incident, the accelerator pedal…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 71,000 miles
Driver assist systems
21 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 (14).
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
Daughter was driving the car when she approached a stop sign the electronic emergency brake engaged while the vehicle was still moving. This caused the vehicle to stop suddenly. She had to manipulate the electronic switch several times to disengage the brake to get the vehicle to move. Luckily this was in a rural town with little traffic.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Jeep Cherokee, Unexpected 4WD / PTU Issue Out of nowhere, my Jeep Cherokee displayed a message on the dashboard saying “Service 4 Wheel Drive.” I was driving normally at the time, no impact, no off-road driving, and nothing unusual occurred beforehand. After taking the vehicle to my mechanic, I was informed that the issue might be…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
18 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 32,000 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
Date: [XXX] I went to the Exxon gas station in Richmond ,VA to fill up for the trip back to Rocky Mount, N.C. When I put the handle hose into truck hole to pump the gas the gas would not go down the hose. It splashed out on the ground, on my feet and clothes. After several attempts with no resolve, I contacted my insurance for roadside…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Getting frequent SERVICE SHIFTER messages on dash board display. Repaired at a Jeep dealership previously, did not fix problem.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Suspension
16 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 32,000 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
The front struts and links have had to be replaced at 41,000 miles on a vehicle purported to have upgraded off-road build.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Every time you hit a bump you hear a rattle or a loud clump noise ! It sounds like something is falling apart or lose : struts have to be changed a lot on this vehicle ! Needs to have a recall there are several complaints about struts being bad !Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 58,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
15 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 39,000 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
No front defroster… blows but does not blow out defroster vents… Very serious problem here in Wisconsin… Could cause accident if windshield frosts up while drivingOwner complaint, filed 2023
Factory installed tow package signals where not activated. Had to bring to dealer after trying to safely use a trailer. Dealer had to contact jeep star/bcm. To activate the system. Defect has present from day one, did not had a reason to use the system until now. Dealer also did not detect in the pre-customer release of the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 81,500 miles
Body, doors and structure
13 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 48,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (11).
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
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle after it rained, the odor worsened. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she lifted the rear driver's side carpet, and noticed that the floorboard on the rear…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the rear hatch failed to open as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. On April 19, 2022 the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 100,000 miles
Wheels and tires
12 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 30,000 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
I was driving on route I79 Southbound. I had just entered I79 southbound via exit 152. I was accelerating to the speed limit of 70mph. There were no vehicles or objects within 1/4 mile of my location. At approximately 68Mph, the tire front passenger side blew out without cause or reason. As I maneuvered the vehicle over to the shoulder…Owner complaint, filed 2022
I recently had a tire blow out while traveling a short distance. The tire had only 8000 miles on it, so I question a firestone dealer in n.smithfield, r.I. Whether the tire had a defect and was told (common reply of deniability) a pot hole caused the tire to blow. I pointed out that the damage was done on the inside wall not the outside…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 8,005 miles
Seats and seat belts
6 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
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
While picking up my oldest child from school, my three year old toddler reached the shoulder safety belt located in the center seat (next to her car seat on the driver side) and it got wrapped around her neck and nearly strangled her. My child yelled for help. I got out of the drivers seat and ran to her aid and immediately put my…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 83,000 miles
Indicator lights are shown on dash include gas cap, seat belt and engine. All gear lights display red when driving and states to service shifter. Dash displays service engine soon. Service air bag system. Seat belt will constantly ding even though it is buckled and will not stop dinging. Replaced gas cap, but indicator light continues to…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Jeep Cherokee complaints by year
Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | About average | 6 |
| 2017 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2017 Honda CR-V | Among the worst years | 7 |
| 2017 Mazda CX-5 | About average | 1 |
2017 Jeep Cherokee recalls
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
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 Labels
- Risk
- The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Air bags Knee bolster
- Risk
- If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
2017 Jeep Cherokee questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee are the transmission and drivetrain (651 complaints), the electrical system (342 complaints) and the engine and cooling (265 complaints).
Is the 2017 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 47,000 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 2017 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The most recent, from Jan 2025, covers the transmission and drivetrain. 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 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 47,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 40,000 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 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
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