2016 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 258owner reports
- 42,000median miles
- $2,148median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1056 of the 1,406 complaints on this car are about the engine. 258 of those describe stalling. Only shift to park warning is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 258 reports
Stalling 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: 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (29 reports), the engine (4 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the engine 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.
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.
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…
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
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 engine on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.
Crash related fuel tank fires. Closed nov 14, 2014, led to recall 13V-252.
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
What owners paid
15 of the 258 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $380 to $4,100.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 26,400 and 60,000 miles, from the 188 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission was replaced at 20k miles it has still continue to stall while driving causing hard shift and stalling in the middle of the road almost causing accidents.”
Filed Dec 30, 2025 · 20,000 miles
“Car randomly looses all power. I was driving with out any indication of a problem then the car stalls out causing a life or death moment. When I was about to get the car to restart I was overwhelmed with codes noting loss of communication with almost all body controls. 84k mi”
Filed Feb 15, 2023 · 84,000 miles
“PTU Power transition unit, many jeeps have same issue over 2,600. Jeep wonât stay in park. Can roll down drive way. I lost power when turning into intersection almost got into accident with children.”
Filed Jul 21, 2022
“Excessive oil consumption causing hesitation and stalls in traffic. Consumption is approximately 1.5qt. per 1000 mies”
Filed Apr 10, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 258 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
- 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
- Battery dies or the car will not start 46 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 31 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 30 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 25 reports