2017 Jeep Cherokee: Reliability Data

1886
Total Complaints
40,000mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
41
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

25,000 25th Percentile
40,000 Median Mileage
55,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Power Train
618
Unknown Or Other
336
Electrical System
334
Engine
252
Vehicle Speed Control
59
Service Brakes
54
Steering
45
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
42
Air Bags
25
Fuel/Propulsion System
17

Severity Assessment

41
Crashes
8
Fires
43
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. DELAY IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND POSSES A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY."
"STOP/START FEATURE DANGER: I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, PULLING OUT FROM A DRIVEWAY IN HEAVY CROSS TRAFFIC. I WAS PULLING ONTO A FOUR LANE ROAD. JUST AS I STARTED TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE STOP/START FEATURE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THERE WAS A FULL TWO SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED. THE CRO..."
"THE SO CALLED, 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION ISN'T A 9 SPEED. IT NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, HITS 9TH GEAR. THE JEEP SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT HE KNOWS THAT IT WILL NEVER HIT 9TH. ALSO, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY SCARY MOMENT WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO ..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Power Train 618 complaints
25th: 25,000 mi Median: 44,950 mi 75th: 70,000 mi
Unknown Or Other 336 complaints
25th: 25,000 mi Median: 38,415 mi 75th: 53,000 mi
Electrical System 334 complaints
25th: 26,550 mi Median: 40,000 mi 75th: 50,000 mi
Engine 252 complaints
25th: 23,363 mi Median: 38,000 mi 75th: 50,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control 59 complaints
25th: 17,250 mi Median: 35,038 mi 75th: 47,855 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TX: 165 OH: 118 PA: 106 IL: 101 CA: 94 NC: 88 MI: 86 FL: 76 NY: 73 GA: 67

Who Files Complaints?

1.1%
Original Owners
98.9%
Second+ Owners

Jeep Cherokee — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
199036818
199129714
199217521
199357160
199461868
1995732110
199658472
199749660
199855342
199951649
200050632
200132933
2014393297
2015262980
2016201352
201896418
2019227165
202031511
202117316
2022602

Active Recalls (6)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Differential Unit
Campaign 20V343000 | 11/06/2020
A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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 failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact F
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise
Labels
Campaign 17V543000 | 31/08/2017
The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Knee Bolster
Campaign 16V799000 | 02/11/2016
If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
Automatic Transmission
Campaign 23V302000 | 27/04/2023
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-3
Power Train
Campaign 25V011000 | 29/04/2025
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
  • Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
  • Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
  • Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
  • Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

Affiliate link

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28