YearToAvoid

2017 Jeep Cherokee Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 304 engine complaints for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 23% of its 1,334 total complaints for the model year, with a median failure mileage of 38,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
304
23% of 1,334
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
38,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or dies unexpectedly while driving, sometimes displaying a low oil pressure light or a message to shift to park or neutral.
  • Owners describe the stop/start feature shutting the engine off mid-turn in traffic, with a delay of about two seconds before it restarts.
  • Some vehicles caught fire after a popping sound was heard under the hood while driving at highway speed.
  • Reports describe the engine burning oil and the vehicle shutting off without warning, leading to repeated tow-ins.
  • Drivers report a 4wd unavailable warning paired with a clunking noise and loss of power to the wheels despite the engine revving.
  • Some owners report the engine revving on its own while cruise control was engaged, followed by a brief stall before speed resumed.

When 2017 Jeep Cherokee engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 19, 2016, latest Aug 21, 2026.

2017 Jeep Cherokee engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter262016 Q42018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
304 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q4 (26).

Engine recalls for the 2017 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.

  1. 20062 (12%)
  2. 2014652 (25%)
  3. 2015462 (26%)
  4. 2016372 (26%)
  5. 2017304 (23%)
  6. 2018170 (25%)
  7. 2019516 (31%)
  8. 202052 (17%)
  9. 202129 (18%)
  10. 20229 (18%)
  11. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 304 engine complaints for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, making up 23% of all 1,334 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee is 38,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints reported on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee.
Did the 2017 Jeep Cherokee engine issues cause crashes or fires?
Across all complaint categories for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, NHTSA recorded 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries, with some engine complaints specifically describing fires and stalling incidents.
How does the 2017 Cherokee's engine complaint share compare to other years?
The 2017 Cherokee's engine complaints made up 23% of that year's total complaints, lower than the 26% share seen in 2015 and 2016 and the 31% share seen in 2019.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.