KL
2017 Jeep Cherokee
The most reported problem on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee is shift to park warning, with 592 complaints, usually around 40,000 miles.
- 1,334owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 24involved a crash
- 42,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Cherokee doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2017 model year.
- Shift to park warning592 reports
- Stalling227 reports
- Warning lights196 reports
- Service 4WD light186 reports
- Infotainment92 reports
- Brake wear56 reports
- Transmission shudder50 reports
- Misfire45 reports
- Traction control light42 reports
- Oil consumption41 reports
- Dead battery36 reports
- Drivetrain problems29 reports
- Airbag26 reports
Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
The 2017 Jeep Cherokee has 1,334 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 4.3 times the median of 307 for 2017 SUVs on this site. Of the 9 Cherokee model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2016 and 2018
- At 133 complaints for each year on the road, the 2017 runs close to the 2016 (128) and above the 2018 (76).
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: shift to park warning, named in 592 of the 1,334 complaints (44%). A quarter of the 437 owners who gave a mileage for shift to park warning saw it by about 28,000 miles, and half by about 40,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 33 of the 1,334 complaints (2%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 24 reports mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 27 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 14 of 24, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Shift to park warning and warning lights each have a recall on the same system (20V-343, 23V-302 and 25V-011; 18V-332). Stalling has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2020 at 311 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 170. So far in 2026, 68 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: "shift to park" or "service shifter" warning comes on, 592 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
1,334 complaints is 4.9 times the median 2017 model on this site and 4.3 times the median 2017 SUV. Among the 9 Cherokee model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
Jeep filed 257 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. 24 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
"Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 3 bulletins · 592 complaints
Shifter - Automatic Transmission If a 2015 - 18MY KL ONLY is brought in with a ?Service Shifter? message on the cluster and/or the following DTCs are present indicating loss of communication with the shifter: U0103, U0103-87.
Shifter - Automatic Transmission Before this part is replaced for a Service Shifter message and lost communication DTC U0103, U0103-87 issues, please call Bing Guo on cell (248) 500-7355 with all associated DTCs and failure information.
1 more on this problem
Shifter - Automatic Transmission Before this part is replaced for a "service shifter" message please call John Grzecki on cell (248) 379-0969 with all associated DTCs. If you do not receive a return call within 15 minutes, proceed with the repair.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 227 complaints
Flash: Diagnostic and System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with thelatest available software.
Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 6 bulletins · 186 complaints
Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● After performing Recall 01C, the vehicle may get a 'Service AWD' message on the EVIC.
Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork Position-Mechanincal Failures. Customers m
4 more on this problem
Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline XJ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline - X89 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the PTU assembly with an updated part. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Service 4wd Light On, Message AWD System Service Required
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 6 bulletins · 92 complaints
Unable To Clear C1494-07 And C14A9-00 After 45A Recall Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● wiTECH displays a mismatch error after performing recall 45A.
USB PORT Media Hub For Android Auto and Apple Carplay issues, do not replace this part. Android Auto and Apple Carplay applications may not operate with the vehicle if an aftermarket cable is being used.
4 more on this problem
RADIO [RES] New and/or Service Exchange For RES radio concerns. Use the wiTECH 2.0 and inspect the radio part number and serial number under the Radio/ECU Details tab. Please verify that the radio part number and/or serial number is not "FFFF".
RA3 and RA4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software. Customers may experience one or more of the following:Radio functions/touchscreen locks up (does not affect backup camera).
RG3 or RG4 Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the RG3 or RG4 radio with the latest available software. The following software enhancement is available:The activation of Uconnect LIVE Services(Sales Code RTG).
RA2 Radio 5" Uconnect Before replacing this radio, make sure you can reproduce the customer issue. If the radio is locked up, has a blank screen, or no sound, please perform a vehicle battery reset.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 56 complaints
A/C Pressure Transducer A/C inoperative and diagnosis leads to pressure transducer. Call Steve Rice at cell (248) 867-0061 before replacing the pressure transducer. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 1 bulletin · 50 complaints
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 45 complaints
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
2.4L KL Cooling fan If replacing the cooling fan for a P0480 -Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit fault code or inoperative fan, please call Sam Zarnegar at (248) 944-5703 prior to removing any parts.
1 more on this problem
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure. See photo attached.
Burns oil or oil level rises 3 bulletins · 41 complaints
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.
1 more on this problem
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 ...
Complaints filed by year
311 complaints came in 2020. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
All 6 recalls on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Shift to park warning, with 592 of the 1,334 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 40,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Of the 874 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 26,000 miles and half by about 42,000.
Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee better or worse than the 2016 and 2018?
Counted per year on the road, the 2017 has about as many complaints as the 2016 and more complaints than the 2018: 133 a year against 128 and 76.
How many 2017 Jeep Cherokee complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
33 of them (2%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for shift to park warning on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls on the same system: 20V-343, 23V-302 and 25V-011. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.