2017 Jeep Cherokee Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 647 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 49% of its 1,334 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 46,638. Three related recalls (25V011000, 23V302000, 20V343000) cover power transfer unit and drivetrain software issues.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 647
- 49% of 1,334
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 46,638 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report a "service shifter" warning with all gear indicators lit, followed by the vehicle shifting into park or losing gear control on its own while driving.
- Some describe a multi-second hesitation or complete lack of acceleration when moving from a stop, reverse-to-drive, or after slowing down, which they say creates a rear-end collision risk.
- Several report the vehicle stalling or losing motive power at speed, including one case where brakes could not stop the vehicle after power was lost at 65 mph.
- One owner said the vehicle rolled backward unattended while parked and struck another vehicle after a service shift message appeared.
- A few owners report the 9-speed transmission never reaching its top gear despite dealer inspection finding nothing wrong.
- One report describes a shifter failure at 150 miles that caused the vehicle to die in oncoming traffic and later shift roughly.
When 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 4, 2016, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Cherokee model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2017 Jeep Cherokee have?
- NHTSA lists 647 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, making up 49% of its 1,334 total complaints for the model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission?
- Yes. Three recalls cover this issue: 25V011000 and 23V302000 address power transfer unit damage that can disengage the transmission and differential, and 20V343000 covers relative movement in the PTU on 2014-2017 Cherokees.
- At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 46,638 miles.
- Are the 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems dangerous?
- NHTSA records 5 crashes and 3 injuries linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for this model year, with no fires reported.