2016 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#4 most-complained of 10 Cherokee years
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee has 1,406 NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls, ranking 4th worst of 10 model years with a Complaint Index of 67. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 45% of complaints, earning it a Caution verdict.
- Complaints
- 1,406
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 37 / 14
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain629 (45%)
- Engine372 (26%)
- Other317 (23%)
- Electrical System313 (22%)
- Brakes131 (9%)
- Steering53 (4%)
- Fuel System44 (3%)
- Structure & Body40 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (3%)
- Airbags31 (2%)
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly lurch or accelerate on their own at low speeds, sometimes crashing into objects or other vehicles.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple front and side-impact crashes despite significant damage.
- Owners report the vehicle rolling forward unexpectedly after being placed in park, striking objects.
- Electrical faults caused sudden unintended acceleration and malfunctioning wipers or dashboard displays.
- Smoke and fire were reported coming from the engine bay or rear liftgate area, in some cases while the vehicle was parked.
- Shifter indicator lights were reported flashing incorrectly across gear positions, a problem dealers reportedly could not diagnose.
2016 Jeep Cherokee recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V338000May 11, 2023Structure & Body132,099 vehiclesPark Outside
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
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.
Risk: 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 23V302000Apr 27, 2023Transmission & Powertrain25,980 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: 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 20V343000Jun 11, 2020Transmission & Powertrain67,248 vehicles
Power train:driveline:differential unit
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.
Risk: 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.
2016 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 Cherokee carries a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 10 model years with a Complaint Index of 67 and 1,406 complaints.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 45% of complaints (629 complaints, median failure mileage 48,000), followed by Engine problems at 26% and Electrical System issues at 22%.
- Does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recalls for the power transfer unit (campaigns 20V343000 and 23V302000) and for left and right halfshaft fractures (16V287000 and 16V284000).
- How does the 2016 Cherokee compare to other years?
- It ranks better than the 2014 (Complaint Index 100, Avoid) and 2015 (78, Avoid) but worse than the 2017 (56, Caution) and much worse than the 2021 and 2022 (22 and 11, both Best).
- Are there fire risks with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
- NHTSA data shows 14 fire incidents for this model year, and a 2023 recall (23V338000) addresses a power liftgate electrical short that can cause a vehicle fire.