2017 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 36owner reports
- 28,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report May 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
342 of the 1,334 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 36 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 36 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 (30 reports), the alternator (5 reports) and the module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
All 6 recalls on the 2017 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.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 14,000 and 47,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
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
2 more on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee page.
What owners wrote
“Today while driving, my vehicleâs power steering went out causing me to pull over to the side of the road. My car was running, but I was unable to move it. When I put it in drive, the lights on the shifter would flash, but the car would not change gears. The problem appears to be electrical as the battery is brand new, and the engine was running.”
Filed Jan 29, 2024
“Service shifter light illuminates several times per month but disappears when engine is off. Battery randomly drains all power and needs to be jump started when temperature outside is warmer than 76 degrees”
Filed May 5, 2023
“Service shifter warning. Car stalled twice. It has 45 k miles only. Won't start on first try.”
Filed Jul 18, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 36 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 592 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 227 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 196 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 186 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 56 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 50 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 42 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 41 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 29 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports