Reliable Auto DB

2017 Jeep Cherokee reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 1,334 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee over 10 years — 136 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Cherokee years here — over the median of the other years, which is 102. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Powertrain, Automatic transmission, and Differential.

2014 Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

1,334

Per year

136

Recalls

6

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (647 of 1,334), then Electrical system (342) and Engine (258). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 17 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Cherokee has 1,406 complaints, 102 per year, and the 2018 has 684 complaints, 103 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Jeep Cherokee. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall Powertrain 2025-04-29 · NHTSA campaign 25V011000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2023-04-27 · NHTSA campaign 23V302000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall powertrain, driveline, differential 2020-06-11 · NHTSA campaign 20V343000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Labels 2017-08-31 · NHTSA campaign 17V543000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall air bags, knee bolster 2016-11-02 · NHTSA campaign 16V799000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (1334 total)

Powertrain
647
Electrical system
342
Engine
258
Speed control
60
Service brakes
55
Steering
45
Electronic stability control (ESC)
42
Air bags
26
Fuel and propulsion system
18
Forward collision avoidance
17
Suspension
16
Wheels
12
Structure
11
Exterior lighting
8
Visibility and wipers
7
Seat belts
6
Engine and engine cooling
5
Parking brake
5
Back-over prevention
4
Hydraulic brakes
3
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

24

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

17

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

220163220179020182842019311202012320217520229520238420241702025682026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "PTU failed on my 2017 Cherokee Jeep. It should be involved in a recall BUT it is not and I’m paying out of pocket to this repair."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-21
  • "CRITICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM SAFETY & TELEMATICS FAILURES: 1.ELECTRICAL & ELICTRICAL DEFECTS: The vehicle's primary infotainment and factory navigation display module suffers a total software and hardware failure. module…"
    Suspension, Electrical system, Structure · filed 2026-09-04
  • "I’m trying to get my car fixed the diagnostic result was that I need a new transfer case as a right now the the waiting time for that part is 8 months and over 700 on backup orders the more I dig in to this part it…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-01
  • "I was stopped at a red light and once the light turned green my vehicle made a grinding noise and would not go faster than about 15 miles per hour. I pulled through the intersection and over to the side of the road and…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-01
  • "The contact's mother owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. The “Service 4WD” message was displayed. The contact…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Jeep Cherokee SUV 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Cherokee four-wheel drive 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic 9-speed All-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $3200
Cherokee four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed All-wheel drive 21 28 23 MPG $2800
Cherokee four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed All-wheel drive 21 28 23 MPG $2800
Cherokee four-wheel drive Active Drive II 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Four-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Cherokee four-wheel drive Active Drive II 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic 9-speed Four-wheel drive 18 26 21 MPG $3500
Cherokee front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Front-wheel drive 21 30 25 MPG $2600
Cherokee front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Front-wheel drive 21 30 25 MPG $2600
Cherokee front-wheel drive 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic 9-speed Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $3100
Cherokee Trailhawk four-wheel drive 3.2L, 6-cyl Automatic 9-speed Four-wheel drive 18 24 21 MPG $3500
Cherokee Trailhawk four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Four-wheel drive 19 25 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

KL generation, 2014–2023
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.4L Tigershark); 5W-20 (3.2L V6) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R20 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 4,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Early KL years (especially 2014) draw heavy NHTSA powertrain filings. Recall 19V-447 covers certain 2014 Cherokees with the 3.2L V6: if a clutch sticks, transmission software may shift to neutral and cut drive; dealers update transmission software (FCA V69). Recall 16V-529 covers certain 2014-2015 Cherokees with the 9-speed: insufficient crimps in the transaxle range-sensor harness can default the gearbox to neutral; dealers reprogram and replace the harness as needed (FCA S55). Recall 20V-343 covers certain 2014-2017 Cherokees with a two-speed PTU: spline wear between the PTU and transmission can lose drive or Park; dealers apply software that keeps rear drive and sets the electronic park brake (FCA W47). Recall 26V-290 covers certain 2019-2023 Cherokees for PTU failure with possible loss of drive or rollaway; dealers update drivetrain/PTU/park-brake software and replace the PTU as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Jeep Cherokee Next year 2018 Jeep Cherokee See every Jeep Cherokee model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

Owners have filed 1,334 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee over 10 years — 136 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Cherokee years here — over the median of the other years, which is 102. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Powertrain, Automatic transmission, and Differential.

What are common problems with a 2017 Jeep Cherokee?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (647 of 1,334), then Electrical system (342) and Engine (258). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 17 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Cherokee has 1,406 complaints, 102 per year, and the 2018 has 684 complaints, 103 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Jeep Cherokee been recalled?

The 2017 Jeep Cherokee has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?

Owners have filed 1334 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Jeep Cherokee get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee is 23 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Cherokee take?

0W-20 (2.4L Tigershark); 5W-20 (3.2L V6)

What does NHTSA recall 19V-447 cover on the Jeep Cherokee?

Recall 19V-447 covers certain 2014 Cherokees with the 3.2L V6: if a clutch sticks, transmission software may shift to neutral and cut drive; dealers update transmission software (FCA V69).

What generation is the 2015 Jeep Cherokee?

KL generation (2014-2023).