10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,163 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Jeep Cherokee drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 10 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #361

Aug 292022

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car has been having issues shifting gears when going uphill/downhill for a few months, only 88k miles never wrecked, during drive a "Service shifter" alert came on and all drive/park/reverse lights lit up, screen could not be removed, car repeatedly had issues getting rpms while pressing gas. Took to a repair shop and they claimed it needed a transmission liquid flush or brake rotors but neither issues coorelate. This seems to be a frequent issue going on with other jeeps. Problem fixed itself after stopping and turning off car and turning back on but still has issues getting stuck in certain gears.

- Justin, TX, USA

problem #360

Aug 222022

Cherokee

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle was stopped however, the odometer remained operational providing incorrect vehicle information. The contact stated that while accelerating the speedometer kept running and would not stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Augusta, KS, USA

problem #359

Aug 012022

Cherokee

  • miles
The SVC 4WD (service 4WD drive ) light came on in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep dealership performed diagnosis and the drivetrain control module (DTCM) stored C14A7-97-PUT motor and the component or system operation is obstructed or blocked. They attempted to update the software of the DTCM and it is up to date. The condition persists and their further testing indicates that the internal power transfer unit (PTU) has failed and the vehicle is stuck in 4WD. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the local jeep dealership, which was on 8/12/2022. The warning message began the week of August 1st and I scheduled the first available service appointment. After some initial research, Jeep had a recall of the PTU for my model year back in 2020. For 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokees where the PTU has not been previously replaced, the auto maker-??s recall number is W47 and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-??s recall campaign number is 20V343. However, when I checked my VIN number, it stated that I had 0 outstanding recalls against it. It is my understanding that if the power transfer unit (PTU) fails to engage with the transmission, the Cherokee could lose all power while being driven which could result in a crash or injuries.

- Gibsonia, PA, USA

problem #358

Aug 072022

Cherokee

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a?2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his daughter was starting the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to drive(D) however, the intended gear was not recognized and the vehicle was unable to drive forward. Additionally, the vehicle experienced an unintentional rollaway and the contact's daughter applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power transfer unit (PTU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #357

Jul 112022

Cherokee

  • miles
Service 4wheel drive came on 7/11/2022, when routine driving on highway at 40 MPH during excellent conditions. Phoned dealer 7/15/2022 to schedule for recall U90 for the catalyst efficiency and to have the vehicle scanned for the service light. 7/26/22 dealer informed active code C14A7-97 PTU Motor component or system operation obstructed or blocked, they cleared the code, it came back on, they check fluid level in ptu, it was within specs, found star case S1721000016 referring to the splines on the ptu unit to fray and not function. Recommended to replace ptu unit before winter. Found recall #21-017-21 for PTU broken input spline. Recall states malfunction indicator light (our service 4wheel drive came on) grinding noise coming from under vehicle while driving (this is notated on the service invoice from dealer. ) Although, code is different from what is listed for #21-017-21, our vehicle was built during the time frame indicated on the recall (April 2016) and is a 75th anniversary edition Cherokee, also listed on the #21-017-21 recall. Vehicle only has 37,689 miles on it and has never been taken off road nor has any other mode, but Auto been used for driving. Cost of replacement out of our pocket was to be $3100, after speaking with dealer and indicating this was our 3rd new Chrysler vehicle bought from them, they assumed responsibility for half the cost, see attached receipt where out of pocket for us was $1500, plus the $120 cost to scan for the issue. We would like consideration for a refund of the $1620 out of pocket we spent on this vehicle that we feel this issue should have been part of a recall. Please see note from invoice that metal shavings were found in the splines of the ptu. Safety of this vehicle in a needed 4x4 situation would have been compromised had the unit not been replaced.

- Canton, OH, USA

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problem #356

Jul 252022

Cherokee

  • 97,254 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the B1S2 camshaft sensor was replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact stated the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 97,254.

- Farmington, UT, USA

problem #355

Oct 012021

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2016 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk 80k miles PTO failed in 10/22 had extended Warranty but not through Jeep @ cost $4k. Now with 89k it-??s going out again. What can I

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #354

Jul 052022

Cherokee

  • miles
The Power Control Unit of the full time four drive unit is defective and has caused warning lights that made the car unsafe to drive. There is current safety recall by NHTSA 20V343 that applies to 2014-2017 jeep Cherokee that applies to my car but does not shows up on the Jeep data base. Please advise. Thank you

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #353

Jul 032022

Cherokee

  • miles
PTU Power transition unit, many jeeps have same issue over 2,600. Jeep won-??t stay in park. Can roll down drive way. I lost power when turning into intersection almost got into accident with children.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #352

Jul 202021

Cherokee

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message Service Shifter was displayed. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine oil change, she notified the dealer of the warning message. The dealer informed the contact that it was a known failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #351

May 192022

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At approx. 49,000 miles I brought my Jeep to an authorized dealership to inspect hard shifts/skips in the transmission shifting. Dealership was unable to reproduce issue. At approx. 59,000 my vehicle was fully repaired and guaranteed from an authorized collision center (passenger side impact) when the transmission light began to illuminate. The same dealership cleared these codes without diagnosis for the issue. At approx. 71,000 the 4WD light illuminated and the dealership replaced the PTU, indicating it was "unresponsive" yet not due to collision. Days after this repair the module that communicates connection between my vehicle and the starter/alternator has gone out "inexplicably" I believe my model has faulty electrical components similar to the recalled models and I would like to raise complaints everywhere and anywhere that my issue is relevant.

- Lumberton, MS, USA

problem #350

Jul 062022

Cherokee

  • miles
I've been told I have a PTU failure. (Code: C14A7-9T) My "SVC 4WD" light comes on, Apparently this is an extremely common issue... I'm out of warranty (approximately 97,000 miles) but it is potentially a very dangerous condition, requiring replacement of the entire PTU. (+$3800) I've had this confirmed by an independent shop and confirmed the code with a dealer.

- Blanchard, MI, USA

problem #349

May 272022

Cherokee

  • miles
2016 cherokee Limited 4WD - large warning flashing on and off -??4WD unavailable service required-?? on the screen followed by small warning light -??SVC 4W Drive -?? that stays consistent while driving. Car started to have less pull when accelerating and tires were not gripping nor had same traction as normal. At first it didn-??t seem anything was wrong, but at higher speeds, especially on turn or going ip hill more noticeable on dirt or rain, the tires are heard spinning as the car made an effort to accelerate at its normal power. Within a few days, i got a an appointment for a diagnostic with a certified jeep dealer and they confirm a problem with a faulty power transfer unit. They said it would cost $3600 to fix. Tne diagnostic was $190 The warning light turns on within 3 to 5 minutes of driving and at first it would go off but now stays on. I am not able to accelerate without slowing down significantly when i need to during highway speeds and can-??t make turns without worrying it will skid or going a different direction, so I have to keep a strong grip on the steering wheel to have control. I have not repaired it due to the excessive cost. This jeep has been very well taken care of. I am the second owner and It only has a little over 60k miles in 6 yrs. A jeep Cherokee limited 4W Drive is built for rigor and better for this to happen on 60k miles. Currently my vehicle had no recalls and find no records of the PTU - or any part of the powertrain being replaced as of today. I love my Jeep and this is disappointing, but more shocked by this malfunction.

- Woodhaven, NY, USA

problem #348

May 052022

Cherokee

  • miles
On 9/14/21 was driving on highway and car started having a loud noise and brought car to Five Star Jeep in Macon GA. The PTO Unit was broken and I had to have it repaired there - that took 1 month. A second time on 5/5/22, when driving the car on a main road it started making a loud noise again and I was unable to steer or drive the car. Pulled off onto the shoulder and waited for AAA to come and tow vehicle to Jeep dealership. Luckily I was at a light when this happened or I could have hit a person or other car or they could have hot me. Car was towed to Paulding County GA Jeep dealership who confirmed it was the PTU failure and rear diff feels like its binding up from PTU failure while driving. I am dealing with Joseph Drupiewski at Paulding Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 1245 Old Griffin Rd, Dallas, GA 30157, (770) 406-6926. His cell is 770-599-7541. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I have read online that there is a recall for this on Jeeps. NHTSA campaign numbers: The recall for the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee is 20V343. FCA-??s own number for this recall is W47. The recall for the PTUs sold for use in Jeep Cherokees is 20E037, and FCA-??s own number for this is W48. There were sporadic warning messages on the car which would say "4 Wheel drive overheated, temporarily unavailable". I never used 4 wheel drive. It was popping on and off over a few days,

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #347

Apr 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
No messages were displayed when any issues occured. The back hatch stops working randomly. Whether your trying to open or close the back hatch, it will not operate by any of the interior push buttons or by using the key fob. I have to manually pull the hatch open &/or closed. I had a technician see this happen as well. I've had numerous times where my Jeep will be shifting & it lags a little bit and then causes a loud bang & jolt when it shifts to the next gear. I only drive approximately 6,000 miles/year. Any resolution to these issues would be greatly appreciated, Amy

- Fair Grove, MO, USA

problem #346

Apr 072022

Cherokee

  • miles
PTU has failed. Dealer says 3k replacement cost. My contention is current recall is not broad enough if other Jeep products have same issue. It should be expanded to include all PTUs with same defect.

- Livonia , MI, USA

problem #345

Apr 012022

Cherokee

  • miles
Some times when starting from full stop vechile losses power. believe drivetrain failure. Have no conyrol until it reingauges usually less than a minute.if I had to get out of the way of something that would be dange r ous.It happens about once or twice a month.

- Sebastian, FL, USA

problem #344

Apr 052022

Cherokee

  • miles
The "Service Shifter" warning came on and the transmission started slipping. If the transmission goes out while myself or kids are on the highway it not only could endanger us, but others as well. I have had this looked at by an independent shop and all it says that there is a bulletin on it.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #343

Mar 192022

Cherokee

  • miles
This Jeep has stalled while on the road several times, more than once almost causing an accident. I have finally figured out that the engine uses more oil than a normal engine should, it does not inform the driver of low oil, and shuts off once the oil is below a certain point. This vehicle is extremely dangerous to be on any road and likely already caused numerous accidents. Please do something!!!!!

- Crescent, PA, USA

problem #342

Mar 182022

Cherokee

  • miles
All of a sudden you are driving and the vehicle wants to shut off like it's getting gas got cut off and it will Buck back and forth like a transmission issue Then all of a Sudden it kicked back in and you continue to drive as Normal but if you're at a stop and you go to take off it could be very dangerous if it stalls out on you

- Bradenton, FL, USA

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