2016 Jeep CHEROKEE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,406 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
43,625 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 872 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 618 of 1,406 complaints (44.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 322 | 22.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 159 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 154 | 11.0% |
| Engine operation | 143 | 10.2% |
| Steering behavior | 72 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 618 |
| Engine | 314 |
| Unknown Or Other | 313 |
| Electrical System | 291 |
| Service Brakes | 92 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 75 |
| Steering | 52 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 43 |
Power Train: 618; Engine: 314; Unknown Or Other: 313; Electrical System: 291; Service Brakes: 92; Vehicle Speed Control: 75; Steering: 52; Fuel/Propulsion System: 43
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 229 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 272 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 224 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 84 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 54 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 229; 25,000 to 49,999: 272; 50,000 to 74,999: 224; 75,000 to 99,999: 84; 100,000 to 149,999: 54; 150,000 and above: 9
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (272). 534 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 95 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2019 | 271 |
| 2020 | 202 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 149 |
| 2024 | 120 |
| 2025 | 108 |
| 2026 | 50 |
2015: 5; 2016: 61; 2017: 95; 2018: 145; 2019: 271; 2020: 202; 2021: 106; 2022: 94; 2023: 149; 2024: 120; 2025: 108; 2026: 50
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 322 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 159 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 154 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10788109 · 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)
BRAND NEW CAR WITH 2 MILES ON IT. BRAKES WERE WEAK FEELING. DEALER IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, POWERBOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, AND LINES. HAD MY WIFE AND BABY IN IT. DEALER SAID IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10794608 · 2015-11-18 (November 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING FLAT-TOWED BEHIND AN RV, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A WOBBLE THAT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH VEHICLES BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY BRING THE RV TO A STOP WITHOUT CAUSING ANY DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOW HITCH WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INSTALLER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE INSTALLATION WAS CORRECT. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10794608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10810021 · 2015-12-14 (December 14, 2015)
FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 1,300 MILES ON IT AFTER NEARLY 3 MONTHS OF USE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE ROAD WITH A 45MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE TRANSMISSION JUST SHUT DOWN AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPM SHOT UP TO A HIGH LEVEL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE NEAR ME ON THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DASHBOARD TOLD ME TO "SERVICE TRANSMISSION. RESTART VEHICLE IN PARK WITH VEHICLE AT ZERO SPEED" I DID THIS AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD CLUNKING SO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10810021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10811971 · 2015-12-23 (December 23, 2015)
BRAND NEW CAR, SHAKE AND SHIMMY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, AND HITS HARD IN 4TH. I HAVE ROUGHLY 1400 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, THE TEAM CLAIMED TO FIX IT WITH A TCM FLASH. HOWEVER, MUCH LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, THE FLASH DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN JEEP'S ABILITY TO FIX THIS ACROSS 3 YEARS. THIS ISSUE HOLD THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS 2014, 15, AND NOW 16 MODEL YEARS. LOOKING FORWARD TO EXERCISING MY STATES LEMON LAW.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10811971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10816211 · 2015-12-25 (December 25, 2015)
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM WITH INSUFFICIENT FORWARD RANGE/ILLUMINATION AND YELOW-ISH COLOR SPECTRUM. SOMETIMES IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DIM. THIS SITUATION IS A SAFETY RISK FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10816211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10818836 · 2016-01-08 (January 8, 2016)
WE BOUGHT A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT TWO DAYS AGO.AT A 108 MILES WHILE DRIVING UP A CITY STREET. THE CAR BECAME VERY JERKY, LUNGING FORWARD, THEN WENT IN TO NEUTRAL AND DIED. AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANY DRIVERS NEAR US AND WE WEREN'T ON A HWY. THE DEALERSHIP DID TOW IT BACK TO THEIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS.AFTER RESEARCHING AND FINDING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR AND TRANSMISSION OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE STATED THAT THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM EV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10818836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824122 · 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING DOWN ROAD. ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING BUT ALL ATTEMPTS TO GET TRANS. TO ENGAGE FAILED. LEFT US STRANDED IN A TRAVEL LANE ON HIGHWAY. POLICE CALLED FOR SAFETY WHILE WAITING FOR ROAD SIDE TOWING. TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS NOW REPLACING MANY PARTS UNSUCCESSFULLY AND NOW SAYS PROBABLY NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. ITS ONLY 2 WEEKS OLD WITH 265 MI. THIS IS A FAULTY DANGEROUS VEHICLE! NOW I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THERE IS NO FIX. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 265 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10838704 · 2016-02-26 (February 26, 2016)
ONLY HAD 262 MILES ON OUR NEW 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE WHEN WE STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT FIRST IT WOULDN'T REVERSE ONE DAY AND THEN WE COULDN'T GET IT TO GO PAST FIRST GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAD A STRONG CHEMICAL BURNING SMELL. THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE PARKING LIGHT., DROVE IT TO THE JEEP DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM OVER THE PHONE. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND HAD TO CONTACT THE FACTORY. THEY ENDED UP HAVING IT FOR A MONTH AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 262 miles reported. Look up ODI 10838704 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V826000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
Reported: 2015-12-09 (December 9, 2015)
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.
Consequence: A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. This recall is superseded by NHTSA recall 23V-338.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V284000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2016-05-11 (May 11, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V287000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2016-05-11 (May 11, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V590000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Seats
Reported: 2016-08-10 (August 10, 2016)
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.
Consequence: Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall S63.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V824000 · Equipment
Reported: 2017-12-21 (December 21, 2017)
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
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V332000 · Electrical System:Software | Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2018-05-17 (May 17, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V343000 · Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2020-06-11 (June 11, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V302000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2023-04-27 (April 27, 2023)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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-343.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V338000 · Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
Reported: 2023-05-11 (May 11, 2023)
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.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗