Diagsheet

2017 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

  • 45owner reports
  • 50,000median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

544 of the 1,333 complaints on this car are about the engine. 45 of those describe misfire.

Tick what matches of 45 reports

5
2
1
6
5
13

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ignition coils (3 reports) and the spark plugs (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-332May 17, 2018
Electrical System:Wiring

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
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cherokee

PE22-009opened Jul 22, 2022
Parking Brake · model years 2014 to 2016

Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-009 after having received 80 complaints on model years 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees alleging the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) inadvertently activated while the vehicle was in motion.During this investigation, the subject vehicles were updated to include only Model Years (MY) 2014-2016, while MY 2017-2020 were considered peers.Based on related repair invoices, ODI believed the EPB module was damaged by water leaking into the vehicle. When the EPB inadvertently activates, it can cause a stalling condition bringing the vehicle to a stop. ODI was aware of recall 15V-393 that addresses water ingress affecting the power liftgate module on nearly the same population of vehicles subject of this investigation. The liftgate module can potentially catch fire as a result of the water damage. Both the liftgate and EPB modules are located in a similar area of the vehicle. On May 11, 2016, the manufacturer released a Technical Service Bulleting (ODI #10191415, FCA #08-060-16) that instructs dealers on replacing the EPB module and inspecting the electrical connector for corrosion if a customer describes having the EPB not releasing. This Preliminary Evaluation was opened to assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. On September 8th, 2022, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee and
RQ15-004opened Jul 24, 2015
Electrical · model years 2014 to 2015

Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.

NHTSA summary
On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query, RQ 15-004, to investigate HU security vulnerabilities and remedy effectiveness in the recalled population and to determine whether similar units have been supplied for use in other FCA vehicles.In an August 11, 2015 letter, FCA submitted a second Part 573 safety recall report expanding the scope of the Uconnect RA4 model radio to include additional 7,810 MY 2015 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured from September 18, 2014 through June 25, 2015 (Recall 15V-508).Scope analysis indicated that Uconnect radios installed in FCA vehicles not included in recalls 15V-461 or 15V-508 (subject recalls) are not equipped with built-in cellular access or short range wireless communication features and, thus, do not contain the security vulnerabilities addressed by the subject recalls. SUBJECT VEHICLES: MY2014 through 2015 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicles; MY2013 through 2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500/5500 pickup trucks; MY2013 through 2015 Dodge Viper vehicles; and MY2015 Chrysler 200, 300, Jeep Renegade, Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicles.According to FCA, long and
PE15-003opened Jan 13, 2015
Engine · model years 2015

Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.

NHTSA summary
On October 15, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, US LLC, (FCA), submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding an air-conditioning suction/discharge combo line routing condition that may result in engine compartment fire in approximately 75,574 model year (MY) 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines and built from October 1, 2014 through June 18, 2015 (NHTSA Recall 15V-676, FCA Recall R57).According to FCA's DIR, a misrouted A/C combo line can be pinched and cut or thermally degraded by the exhaust manifold heat shield, potentially resulting in loss of air conditioning, smoke and/or fire from ignition of leaked A/C refrigerant oil onto a hot exhaust manifold.The recalled vehicles will be inspected for misrouted A/C combo lines and those found to be misrouted will be replaced.FCA estimates that one percent of the recalled population may be affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.ODI?s analysis of warranty data provided by FCA in response to the information request letter for PE15-003 identified a spike in claims related to the A/C combo line leakage in vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines built after October 1, 2014.FCA implemented its final process corrective action for the hose routing concern on June 18, 2015.The 113,034 MY 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines have different A/C line routing configurations and are not affected by the A/C combo line routing defect.FCA provided a total of 220 warranty claims potentially rel
EA12-005opened Jun 12, 2012
Fuel system · model years 1993 to 2001

Crash related fuel tank fires. Closed nov 14, 2014, led to recall 13V-252.

NHTSA summary
ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things,
DP97-003opened Jul 10, 1997
Fuel system · model years 1997

Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
EA88-009opened Nov 16, 1987
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1980 to 1985

Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.

NHTSA summary
ANALYSIS:MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE.TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO DESTROY AVEHICLE.AMC HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS TSB'S REGARDING THE PROPER/IMPROPER METHOD OF SEAL-ING THE VALVE COVER-HEAD INTERFACE.1981-84 AMC 6-CYLINDER ENGINES AREEQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC VALVE COVER WHICH HAS 5 GUIDE PINS AND 2 FASTENERS.THE COVER USED IN LATER MODELS WAS RE-DESIGNED TO HAVE 5 ATTACHING POINTS,AND THIS NEW VALVE COVER CAN BE USED ON OLDER ENGINES BY MEANS OF AMODIFICATION KIT.AS EXPECTED, COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FIRES IN 1985 MODELSDROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, INDICATING THAT THE ADDITION OF THE NEW VALVE COVERMAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.STATUS: IR TO THE MANUFACTURER SENT 12/1/87.PROPOSED ACTION: OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.===
DP77-002opened Sep 1, 1976
Electrical · model years 1976

Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.

NHTSA summary
ELECTRONIC IGNITION FAILURE AND GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 38,000 and 62,000 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.

118
1419
1020
221
522
223
124
725
326

What owners wrote

“Car shifts out of gear and when trying to accelerate the car won’t go any faster. Feels like it slips out of gear. Happened out of the blue, NO check engine light and no warning”

Filed Apr 6, 2026

“4wd light has been on along with engine light. Took it to a mechanic but and a problem with cylinder 2 came up and they checked it and everything was fine. t'll sometimes slightly roll in park before perking to a stop. While driving it'll sputter sometimes.”

Filed Mar 5, 2025

“Service shifter code being thrown, with check engine light. Code is showing the tcm malfunctioning and an impossible driver shift request. Has been happening for over a year and now a check engine light has illuminated. Dealer won’t fix due to it not being a recall”

Filed Jan 15, 2025

“I’m not the only one with the same issues. I know a lady who has the same problem with her vehicle and has been quoted thousands of dollars to fix it. Cylinders and engine housing.. anti freeze leak.. and then expect us to pay expensive car payments.”

Filed Sep 27, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 45 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.

Other problems on this car