2016 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 46owner reports
- 42,520median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 12, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
297 of the 1,406 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 46 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 46 reports
Dead battery on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (43 reports) and the alternator (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
All 9 recalls on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 59,942 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
3 more on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee page.
What owners wrote
“vehicle losing power even when on. Does not accelerate in drive or reverse. My issue is the dealer found corroded wires, but when did they not say that the last time it was in which was 3 months ago. They also all of sudden tell me my battery does not fit my Jeep so they needed to replace to new battery in order to be able s add mf diagnose. All this makes no sense.”
Filed May 29, 2025
“Stop Start Failure (replaced-filter and battery) Failed again same battery reason showing battery tested was fine. Still not working to date”
Filed Sep 11, 2024
“The vehicle just cuts off while in the middle of driving and everything shuts off. New battery installed 2 months ago, no loose cables, plenty of gas. Cutting off while driving poses a very bad hazard. The last time it happened the shop that had recently changed my oil two weeks prior said it was due to loose battery cables and it has now been a month since that occurrence took place. Now it's happening again.”
Filed Aug 2, 2023
“Car would not start I bought a battery and 2 days later car was completely dead. No power would not charge. Took it to a shop it had no starter or alternator issues. The car will just turn off at anytime even will driving. There is no power and then just open hood and it will start back up sometimes.”
Filed Sep 30, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 46 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 269 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 258 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 224 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 107 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 93 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 90 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 87 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 81 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 62 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 51 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 48 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 31 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 30 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 25 reports