2017 Jeep Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Jeep Cherokee has 1,334 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, ranking 5th worst of 11 model years with a Caution verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 49% of complaints, with 6 recalls including three separate PTU-related campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,334
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 24
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 27
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
Top 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain647 (49%)
- Electrical System347 (26%)
- Other343 (26%)
- Engine304 (23%)
- Brakes102 (8%)
- Steering45 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (2%)
- Airbags26 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras21 (2%)
- Fuel System18 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles unexpectedly shift into park or lose gear engagement while driving, sometimes triggered by a 'service shifter' warning.
- Loss of drive power tied to power transfer unit damage that disengages the transmission and differential.
- Airbags fail to deploy in front and rear-impact crashes, even in low-speed collisions.
- Electrical or engine faults precede engine compartment fires, in one case starting with a popping sound under the hood.
- Front suspension components, including the wheel hub, axle, and strut, have detached while driving.
- Vehicles enter limp mode on the highway after coolant and shift module related error codes appear.
2017 Jeep Cherokee recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V011000Apr 29, 2025Transmission & Powertrain63,130 vehicles
Power train
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.
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: 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.
- 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.
2017 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 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.
2017 compared with other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Cherokee a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among 11 model years for this model. Transmission and powertrain complaints account for 49% of all reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead at 647 complaints (49% share), followed by electrical system problems at 347 complaints (26%) and engine issues at 304 complaints (23%).
- Does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate recalls tied to the power transfer unit (PTU) covering the 2017 Cherokee, filed in 2020, 2023, and 2025, all addressing loss of drive power.
- How does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee compare to other Cherokee years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 60 is lower than 2014 (100), 2015 (80), and 2019 (90), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2018 (50), 2020 (40), 2021 (30), and 2022 (20), which rank better.
- At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 40,947 for the model year overall, with transmission and powertrain failures reported at a median of 46,638 miles.