10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,330 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 11 of 27)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #330

Nov 262021

Cherokee

  • 108,041 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 while driving approximately 55 MPH, the service 4-wheel drive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 108,041.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

problem #329

Nov 282021

Cherokee

  • miles
Transmission problems that happen about twice a year. With no warning the transmission service will appear and the car will abruptly slow to a speed of 35 or less no matter how fast you are moving. On the turnpike one time it went from 70mph to 35 and luckily no one was behind me. Every time this happens I am told something different for what is wrong.

- Austintown, OH, USA

problem #328

Nov 202021

Cherokee

  • miles
4wheel drive light came on. Said it was a power transfer unit problem. It has been recalled but doesn-??t show for my car. It will cost me o ver $2000 and it has been recalled. I need help to have this repair covered.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #327

Nov 102021

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • 88,245 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 stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle lost motive power. A bystander checked underneath the vehicle while the gear shifter was in PARK, but the vehicle rolled backward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with power transfer unit (PTU) failure. The dealer replaced the PTU. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 88,245.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #326

Nov 152021

Cherokee

  • miles
Around 35-45 MPH it shifts hard. After it shifts hard it acts like there is no power when hitting the accelerator. This incident only happens every so often not every time it hits 35-45 MPH. Has been taken to dealership to diagnose and they can-??t re create the issue so we are always sent on our way. The vehicle has over 100,000 miles on it so I assume it-??s not the adaptive learning for the transmission. The shifting problem also throws no codes. The fluid is fine and no metal in the fluid. I do not know what to do. I have read where thousands of people have this issue with the Cherokee and have gone to lengths of replacing the transmission or having it rebuilt and the issues still persist.

- Oklahoma City , OK, USA

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problem #325

Sep 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle has slowly been loosing power since I purchased it in 2018, but over the past 2 months it's sluggish and when I press the accelerator, it hesitates then takes off and the tachometer gets stuck until I let off the gas then push the accelerator again. Also when I'm in stop and go traffic, when I accelerate, it starts jerking and feel like the engine is going to die, but if I give it a little more gas, it stops, until I have to come to a stop again. It's unsettling to hear the engine race the way it does. I feel it's a safety issue because the way it jerks when I'm trying to get the tachometer to stop racing. There's been no warning lights and nothing has been confirmed by the dealership, however, I recently received a recall notice and have contacted the dealer for an appointment. I'm waiting on a return call but don't know what the recall is related to.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #324

Sep 292021

Cherokee

  • miles

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

Transfer case is not working it says blockage I see alot of of recalls for this piece and I want want to report it for my car as faulty aswell. also now the timing change has to be replaced. This jeep has had multiple issues going on since I have had it for almost 3 years it will be three years in Feb 2022

- Millstone Twp, NJ, USA

problem #323

Oct 072021

Cherokee

  • miles
My service 4x4 light would come on then off, then on again. Was brought to the dealership, in which I was informed that my PTU is bad and needs to be replaced ($2800 plus to fix). There is a recall on the PTU for the year of my Jeep, but not my VIN. My vehicle has only 41,841 miles on it. I called the NHTSA hotline and was given an ODI#11439663 to open the investigation. Also had called the Jeep Hotline #800-992-1997, in which were no help on this issue.

- Grantsburg, WI, USA

problem #322

Oct 072021

Cherokee 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,841 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the service 4X4 warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power transfer unit (PTU) assembly to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,841.

- Grantsburg, WI, USA

problem #321

Oct 212021

Cherokee

  • miles
There is a SVC 4WD light on the dash. Upon reviewing the user manual, the SVC 4WD light is not referenced in the manual at all. There is apparently no maintenance or service intervals required for the user (owner). I took the Jeep to the Chrysler Jeep Dealer in Somerset KY, and learned it has a DTC C14A7-97 PTU issue. It appears the manufacturer is aware of the issue as there were previous recalls specific to the 2014 - 2017 Jeeps with a faulty PTU assembly. However, only certain VIN numbers were included. The issue is according to previous posts regarding the SVC 4WD light, as a chronic Chrysler issue indicating the PTU fails to engage with the transmission (hence the light) and the Cherokee could lose all power while being driven. Also, failure to engage could keep the vehicle from being put into park when stationary allowing the vehicle to roll away. The problem was between 2014 and 2017 Jeeps. From my perspective, I am totally blown away my particular 2016 VIN was not included in the recall when 17 models were still having the same issue. None the less, Jeep Chrysler said they issued a Star Online Publication on June 11, 2020. The publication indicates for the technician to uninstall the PTU assemble including the actuator, determine if there is debris or damage found in the PTU. Resolution, if no debris or damage found, replace the actuator and reinstall the original PTU. This indicates to me, they are aware they have at least an issue with the actuator. If there is debris, replace both the actuator and the PTU. The dealer tells me depending on the problem, this can run up to 2000 dollars out of pocket to the owner, however the owner can submit receipts for reimbursement. If it is indeed a Jeep safety issue relating to the PTU, why is the customer out of pocket on it" Again there is no interval of maintenance required on the owner, so why isn't Jeep taking care of it? Ali, Customer Care Rep explained to me you control. Can you help"

- East Bernstadt, KY, USA

problem #320

Jan 292021

Cherokee

  • miles

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

PTU Failure. Took vehicle to Jeep dealer. I was told that although there was a recall on the PTU for 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokees, my VIN was not included.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #319

Oct 012021

Cherokee

  • 46,800 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Service Shifter message and the gear shift lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. Several fuses were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and needed a wiring harness kit replacement. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,800.

- Hutchinson, MN, USA

problem #318

Sep 182021

Cherokee

  • miles
Transmission is failing to function properly. Between gears 1-2, 2-3. I have noticed this when the ESS for the vehicle is engaged, during slow moving traffic, uphill and in reverse. The vehicle is sluggish, won't go forward when given gas, then surges. This has caused issues for my family when crossing busy intersections or coming to slow moving traffic or having to get up to speed adequately. There has been hesitation in the transmission which creates hesitation on the road, resulting in many "almost accidents." I am booking an appointment to have the vehicle inspected by a Jeep dealer. I've contacted the original dealer I've purchased from and they said there was nothing they could do. I have not seen any warning lights, messages or flashes come through on the dash/vehicle. I will be hooking it up to a code reader to determine if there is an underlying code. I have only had this vehicle for two weeks.

- Marion, IA, USA

problem #317

Sep 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
Warning light to fix 4x4..... Difficulty finding problem at dealer, required new PTU actuator and dealer had much difficulty getting part into place. Cost approximately $ 1500.

- Bayside, WI, USA

problem #316

Mar 012018

Cherokee

  • miles
My 2016 Jeep Cherokee was RANDOMLY coming up with "Service Shifter" warning light. The dealers tell me they "can't replicate the problem" even though it still happens and THOUSANDS online complain about the same issue. If this is a serious shifter issue, it could cause problems driving. I have figured out that if I cover the sunlight sensor on the dashboard when the lights are set to auto (effectively keeping the interior lights dimmer) I can drive without the warning coming up. Within SECONDS of uncovering it, the interior lights brighten and the "Service Shifter" warning comes on instantly. THAT is why I think it's electrical. The fact that Jeep is shrugging it's shoulders and doesn't acknowledge a problem is absolutely disgusting!

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #315

Sep 072021

Cherokee

  • miles
My Jeep Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failed in less than 73000 miles. FCA recalled 67000 Jeep Cherokee for bad PTU. FCA said my vehicle was not under recall category. But FCA do have problem with thousands of PTU and my Jeep must have the same kind of bad PTU.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #314

Aug 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
I purchased car new on May 30, 2016. Recently, the vehicle is jerking and I am concerned for safety of passengers and others driving near me. Also, noted once it did not park properly and appeared to move It has now come to my attention that the PTU on this vehicle is recalled for some reason for only some vehicles. The dealership noted last week it requires a new PTU at $3,400 but there are no available parts for some reason. I said thats obviously because there is a very large problem. Please look into this as I am an Uber driver and now cannot afford to work as I am concerned about the safety of my passengers

- Pinehurst , NC, USA

problem #313

Mar 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
Transmission will not shift out of low gear. Especially when on a steel hill. Also, turn signals will not turn off unless I manually do so. Dealer tells me I must let them do a $125 diagnostic test, (I pay for it), then must be reviewed before they can say it-??s a warranty or not. These seem to be common problems that many Cherokee owners have but never recalled.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #312

Aug 032021

Cherokee

  • miles
shifter park.. car cuts off when car is idle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #311

Jul 312021

Cherokee

  • miles
I got into my wife's 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude to drive to the store and heading down the road the message 'Service Shifter' showed up on the instrument cluster and all the gear selectors became illuminated red with no check engine light. Upon coming out of the store I started the jeep and the message was gone until I started heading down the road and same thing happened but this time there was a noticeable decrease in engine power and engine seemed to be running ruff at stop light. When I made it home and put the shifter in park and started to exit the jeep it started to roll forward and I hit the brake. I started the jeep back up and no message or anything and I backed the jeep up some and put back into park and this time it went into gear however I activated the parking brake to safe and instructed my wife to do so as well. This is a serious issue as we have teenage kids that drive our vehicles and poses a serious safety issue not to mention it rolling into our house. I called a dealership and was told they have not heard of this issue and would be hard to diagnose since there is no check engine light but sounds like the whole shifter assembly needs to be replaced and is not covered by the extended warranty that we purchased. After reading online about this issue there appear to be ALOT of people having the same issue and have had the shifter assembly replaced, Shifter bezel and wiring harness replaced, updates performed, and batteries changed(car and key fob) and is still having this issue. This issue poses a great risk to owners and anyone else around these Jeeps especially as it seems that there is not a fix only guesses on what the problem is since it keeps happening. This should be a recall and Jeep should be made to find the real problem and fix it before anything serious happens. We have had shift problems before and had update performed. I wasn't able to get pics or video as I was driving and the rolling forward happened out nowhere.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

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