2017 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 227owner reports
- 39,000median miles
- $500median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Aug 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1022 of the 1,334 complaints on this car are about the engine. 227 of those describe stalling. Only shift to park warning is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 227 reports
Stalling 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: 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (23 reports), the engine (5 reports), the throttle body (3 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
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.
All 6 recalls on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine 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.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
What owners paid
13 of the 227 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $277 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,500 and 60,041 miles, from the 160 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice 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.
Flash: Diagnostic and System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with thelatest available software.
What owners wrote
“The car will shut off unexpectedly while driving. This is extremely dangerous. This is the 6th time in the last 3 years that this has happened.”
Filed Mar 6, 2022
“Heater hose broke while on the freeway causing all of the antifreeze to leak out and car to overheat with no warnings signs. Car started shaking and I pulled over and it shut off. Turns out the heater hose is made with two tubes connected toghether and the hose broke where the connect.”
Filed Jan 27, 2022
“While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicles steering wheel locked, all lights on the dash came on and the car shut completely off. My daughter was able to slowly pump the breaks to stop because there was no traffic but had there been she could have been in a serious accident since the car completely shut down. This is a huge safety concern.”
Filed Jan 13, 2022
“Drove approximately two miles and stopped the vehicle. Less than five minutes later start the car again. After three to five seconds the engine stalled. Vehicle was parked in a flat parking lot. It was about 55 degrees and clear this morning. I can no longer count the number of times this has happened on my hands.”
Filed Oct 13, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 227 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 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
- 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
- Battery dies or the car will not start 36 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 29 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 26 reports