2016 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 51owner reports
- 35,675median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Apr 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
341 of the 1,406 complaints on this car are about the engine. 51 of those describe oil consumption.
Tick what matches of 51 reports
Oil consumption 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: 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (21 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cherokee
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.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 24,211 and 46,000 miles, from the 46 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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.
2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil leaking from the engine.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test. The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil ...
What owners wrote
“Engine oil cooler failure, had to be replaced. Known issue per 3 techs. Leaks oil onto engine and exhaust. No warning, just the smoke and smell of burning oil. Occurred at 73,200 miles more or less.”
Filed Mar 14, 2023 · 73,200 miles
“This Jeep has stalled while on the road several times, more than once almost causing an accident. I have finally figured out that the engine uses more oil than a normal engine should, it does not inform the driver of low oil, and shuts off once the oil is below a certain point. This vehicle is extremely dangerous to be on any road and likely already caused numerous accidents. Please do something!!!!!”
Filed Mar 22, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 51 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
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
- 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