2016 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 90owner reports
- 43,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report May 6, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
1252 of the 1,406 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 90 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Transmission warning light 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: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission control module (10 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain 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 transmission and drivetrain 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.
Vehicle sudden acceleration. Closed dec 5, 1995.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Stalling. Closed oct 3, 1989.
Throttle control. Closed sep 19, 1988.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
High speed stalling. Closed mar 10, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,700 and 67,000 miles, from the 76 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“In 2020, Fiat Chrysler America recalled 67,248 units of the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee in the United States over a transmission issue that could result in a loss of power or rollaway situation. I'm currently experiencing this problem now. So I have a message stating service transmission and service break system.”
Filed Feb 6, 2024
“Transmission light will come on. Then I'll lose power. I've taken it to my local jeep shop who have said it's a bad PTU.”
Filed Jul 20, 2023
“received message on dashboard service transmission after 22,700 miles and bringing car to delearship where car was purchased and has been serviced I was just informed transmission is out need new transmission. This is my second Jeep at the same dealership with transmission being a faulty one, also with less than 25,000 miles”
Filed Mar 15, 2023 · 22,700 miles
“I was driving on the interstate, I just got past 55 miles per hour and my âservice transmission soonâ notification came on. I was able to get off the interstate. After that, the vehicle completely stalled out. I put it in park and then back in drive and I was able to get home. If the vehicle would have stalled on the interstate it would have been horrible.”
Filed Jun 12, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 90 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
- 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