How common are engine problems in the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA lists 372 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, which is 26% of the 1,406 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee engine?

NHTSA data shows no related recalls listed for the engine problem area on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.

At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is 40,190 miles.

Do engine complaints involve crashes or fires?

Among the reported engine issues, NHTSA data for this problem area lists 7 crashes, 4 fires, and 1 injury tied to the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.

How does the 2016 Cherokee compare to other years for engine complaints?

The 2016 model's engine complaint share is 26%, similar to 2014 (25%), 2015 (26%), and 2017 (23%), while 2019 was higher at 31% and later years like 2020-2022 dropped to 17-18%.

2016 Jeep Cherokee Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 372 of 1,406 total complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, or 26% of all reported issues that year. Owners report unintended acceleration, cruise control malfunctions, and engine fires, with a median failure mileage of 40,190. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this engine problem area.

Engine complaints: 372; 26% of 1,406
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 4
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 40,190 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Cruise control fails to maintain set speed, with the engine surging or revving on its own while going up or down hills.
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly without driver input, in some cases while pulling out of a parking spot or gas station, leading to a crash.
Engine compartment catches fire, sometimes while the vehicle is parked and unoccupied, with flames reported coming from below or behind the engine.
Throttle response becomes erratic during low-speed maneuvers, causing the vehicle to move forward or accelerate rapidly without pedal input.
Software updates intended to fix acceleration and cruise control issues reportedly failed to resolve the problem on subsequent drives.

When 2016 Jeep Cherokee engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 22, 2016, latest Sep 3, 2026.

372 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (24).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Cherokee model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2014652 (25%)
2015462 (26%)
2016372 (26%)
2017304 (23%)
2018170 (25%)
2019516 (31%)
202052 (17%)
202129 (18%)
20229 (18%)
20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?: NHTSA lists 372 engine-related complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, which is 26% of the 1,406 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee engine?: NHTSA data shows no related recalls listed for the engine problem area on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is 40,190 miles.
Do engine complaints involve crashes or fires?: Among the reported engine issues, NHTSA data for this problem area lists 7 crashes, 4 fires, and 1 injury tied to the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.
How does the 2016 Cherokee compare to other years for engine complaints?: The 2016 model's engine complaint share is 26%, similar to 2014 (25%), 2015 (26%), and 2017 (23%), while 2019 was higher at 31% and later years like 2020-2022 dropped to 17-18%.