10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,480 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 6 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #181

Feb 282019

Cherokee

  • 40,000 miles

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

Started having service shifter codes at approximately 30K. Would be repaired & after about 8 wks it would throw the same code. Repeated the same cycle 2 adtl times. Took a total of 4 times till the entire shifter, module & wiring were replaced. At 40K miles my Jeep died on me going down a hill. Had to coast down hill & find a halfway safe area off the highway. I had no ability to start the vehicle. The electronics would come on when I turned the key but it would not turn over. All the lights on the shifter would be solid & the service shifter alert came on. Immediately called the dealership. The service adviser walked me thru how to reset the car. Wait for 5 minutes. Turn the key on & let it cycle. Turn the key off. Repeat the process 3 X's till it starts. Took it into the dealership & was told the thermostat module & the radiator. Neither of which would be covered under warranty. Same time I also had an oil change done. 2 1/2 mths later same issue. Die going down a hill. Again took it to the dealership. Told that it was a sensor & wasn't covered under warranty. Had an oil change done this time. I have not replaced any parts on it yet. The thermostat module & the radiator are still the same as the first time I took them in. 8 weeks later same issue. I took it to my local auto repair in town since the dealership could not get me in for 2 weeks & the Jeep was leaving me coasting for a safe space to pull over in traffic. Within 2 minutes they discovered Jeep was 2 quarts low on oil. The engine was losing oil pressure & was shutting off the engine to keep it from damaging the motor. Since then I've tried to schedule service with two different dealerships only to be told that using 2-3 quarts extra of oil in between oil changes is normal & they can not do anything.

- Cassville, MO, USA

problem #180

Mar 032020

Cherokee

  • 65,000 miles
Car shuts off randomly while driving! loose power steering and power breaks. After looking online, this seems to be a common occurrence. Car stopped in the middle of an intersection! dealership explanation is that the oil is low and car is designed to shut off while driving if the oil is low. I just had an oil change and no oil light ever came on. Many people reporting the same and that this engine burns a whole quart of oil per 750 miles!!!

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #179

Mar 122020

Cherokee

  • 32,000 miles
While car was in motion in suddenly slows down and seems to turn off and the battery light comes on and it states to put car in park. I'm unable to move care and steering wheel becomes locked

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #178

Mar 092020

Cherokee

  • 47,000 miles

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

Service shifter light keeps coming on. All the lights light up on shifter. Car keeps sounding like it's revving on its own. And also car keeps feeling like brakes trying to slow down car by itself, and that happens sometimes while it sounds like revving at same time.

- Dudley, MA, USA

problem #177

Jan 012020

Cherokee

  • 49,000 miles
Enormous amounts of oil burning up and scolding the cylinder walls. Oil change and guaranteed 3000 miles. Less than 1000 miles later all oil gone and cylinder walls scorched. No leaks at all the cause the missing oil. Every 1000 miles dealer having to top off oil until next oil change.

- Semmes, AL, USA

problem #176

Dec 192019

Cherokee

  • 72,000 miles
Motor blew up at 72000 miles, smoke filled interior of vehicle making navigation impossible and rear tire was punctured by motor parts causing vehicle to leave roadway, informed Fiat/Chrysler of the issue of motor failing to cycle oil causing major failure of components, they are aware of engine issues yet refuse responsibility. Motor replaced at cost of 6,300. No warranty on vehicle.

- Summertown, TN, USA

problem #175

Mar 052020

Cherokee

  • 52,324 miles

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

The service shifter light keeps coming on. With that..the lights next to the park, drive, neutral and drive letters all turn red. I'm taking it to a dealership this Saturday and I know that it will cost me. I had my two kids in the car 1 and 3 years old when it happened. My car was parked overnight in my garage because it's been raining all week and I didn't want to get out into the rain to let my two kids inside. I drove it about a mile down the road when this problem started. I read that this is a reoccurring problem with this vehicle that a lot of people are having. Some say the problem gets worse like the vehicle shuts down while driving and others say they have to keep paying to have it 'fixed' but the problem with keep happening. Also my vehicle had a misfire on the 2nd cylinder and my vehicle kept jerking two weeks prior to this incident but we also paid to get that 'fixed'. I got this vehicle because I needed something reliable to drive my family around in and it's causing me more headache and now I have to worry if my kids are safe to ride with me in it.

- Fort Mitchell, AL, USA

problem #174

Feb 122020

Cherokee

  • 50,527 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempt to move from a stopp, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that an audible chime was heard while the battery failure warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact also experienced a similar failure while driving at 20 mph and attempting to merge onto a highway. The vehicle was taken to fred martin superstore 3195 barber rd, barberton, oh 44203 (330) 753-4444, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil level was low and that it was recommended that an oil change be performed. The oil change was performed. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,527.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #173

Jan 202020

Cherokee

  • 54,000 miles
Thankfully, after reading a large number of complaints from the same problem as my, we were still in our driveway when the vehicle was put in reverse and started to back out when warning came up to put vehicle in park and then select gear. So put in park and put into drive to pull back into driveway when warning came on to service transmission. Vehicle only has 54000 miles on it. Reading of a lot of people has this same issue, some while driving on the interstate

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #172

Jan 022020

Cherokee

  • miles
Following day vehicle completely shut down while driving on the interstate at 55 mph. Dealership contacted and vehicle brought in for inspection. Dealer concluded that engine had no oil, although internal indicators failed to advise and showed vehicle had 60% oil life remaining and 3000 miles until scheduled oil change. Dealer advised that vehicle is known to burn oil, this has happened to me 3X already. The Jeep chereokee manual states oil changes should be done every 8,000 miles. I have been getting my oil changes way before the stated requirement of 8000. There is clearly something wrong with my engine. I have a 10 month baby and I am terrified of driving this vehicle. It randomly shuts down and stalls. Iam so scared for my life everytime I drive this vehicle and it is all I have. I bought this car brand new!! my engine is clearly defective and should be replaced.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #171

Jan 132020

Cherokee

  • 47,000 miles

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

Car stalled in middle of on ramp. No control because car turned off.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #170

Dec 272019

Cherokee

  • 63,000 miles
While in drive the Jeep Cherokee sport (premium pkg) car cuts off in street 3X and hwy 4X and engine light turns on. Car also loses power/speed while in drive and engine light turns on when making a turn. Car loses speed and driver is not able to accelerate while on busy hwy or street.. bought car new with 16 miles on odometer from Chrysler Jeep dealer. Manufacture warranty expired 2 months prior to this problem. Mileage 63,000 miles. I have an expensive extended dealer warranty. Chrysler Jeep dealer says engine will be replaced w/ no deductible and no addl customer cost according to dealer warranty.. oil gaskets blown also with excellent service record at Chrysler Jeep dealer.. no one should have to purchase an expensive extended warranty on a new car and have to replace an engine for a car under 5 years old. Car has one driver 62 yrs old, no accidents no tickets in 15 years this is awful for a 3.25 year old Jeep!! car has been at Jeep dealership service dept since Dec 31, 2019 for engine replacement.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #169

Nov 152019

Cherokee

  • 35,698 miles
I was driving down the street then went to take a left and my car shut off. I got it to the side of the road and tried to start it, would not start. I then waited a few minutes and tried again and it started luckily I was close to home and called tow truck and they brought it to dealership found out is burning oil only had 35;698 miles and when the car gets down two quarts of oil these cars will shut down with no notice. Someone is going to get killed. No dash light comes on.

- Byfield, MA, USA

problem #168

Jan 022020

Cherokee

  • 41,000 miles
Vehicle shuts off while driving. Happens mostly in the morning and after making a turn. The vehicle has shut off at random times throughout the day and evening. Could be a cranking issue as it happens mostly within a half hour of starting. Every incident where the vehicle has shut off while driving has been on a street and while accelerating in motion. Before shutting off, the engine light will come on and immediately after, will shut off.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #167

Dec 092019

Cherokee

  • 45,500 miles
When driving my 2016 Jeep Cherokee the vehicle has died out completely on me in the middle of driving. While driving there is a ding noise followed by a message on my dash board that says put car in park then switch into gear, when I am already in drive and driving then the car stops and the brakes and steering locks up completely the battery light flashes then the whole dash goes black. Then I have to trying turning it over a few times and then it will finally start with no warning lights on or anything after it just locked up and died. This vehicle has died several times on me while turning right, while just driving, and in the middle of intersections. I took it to a mechanic and there is no indication of this happening as far as codes that can be brought up or anything but when he test drove it the same thing happened to him he made a right on 12-31 and the car said put car in park then select a gear then went black and then it took a few times for the car to turn over again, but yet again turning on with no warning lights or anything after, but come to find online this is a serious issue that Jeep has not addressed and there seems to be no solution besides being in constant fear that you car is going to die out on you. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed before there are lives taken. I have a two young toddler daughters that I don't feel safe driving in our 2016 Jeep Cherokee in fear for their lives!

- Midlothian, IL, USA

problem #166

Nov 142019

Cherokee

  • 108,000 miles
I have the 2.4L in my Cherokee. The same as other Jeep models and I have had the same oil consumption issue that this engine line has. Jeep just shut off and had to restart. No warning or lights on dash to indicate low oil. I had just a drop of oil on the dipstick. Only drove just over 5000 miles. Dealer said its normal to burn oil and fca knows about the issue but will not repair. They say about 70% of the 2.4 are affected across all models. With all the issues I see on forums and social media it seems something should be done before we get to the threshold of unacceptable accidents and death. All maintenance has been done at a fca dealer. Hard to believe it just started to burn oil.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #165

Dec 092019

Cherokee

  • 56,000 miles
I was stopped on a busy main road in my town, to make a left into my neighborhood and my Jeep Cherokee stalled. The dash lit up with put in park and restart car. I put it in park and the car restarted. I drove to my house and parked the car. I had to use my other car to go to work because I was afraid for my safety if I drove my Jeep Cherokee.

- Forked River, NJ, USA

problem #164

Dec 072019

Cherokee

  • 43,000 miles
Engine shut off while vehicle in motion with foot on accelerator (traveling ~10mph).. lost power steering and brakes. Notice appeared on dashboard about shifter. Tried to power engine back on to no avail. Waited a couple of minutes and vehicle was able to start again.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #163

Dec 042019

Cherokee

  • 38,000 miles
Check engine light came on. Took the vehicle to local Jeep dealership. Vehicle has approx. 38,000 miles and the thermostat housing assembly is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. Told by dealership this is a common issue with 2015/2016 Cherokee between 30,000 and 40,000 miles. Vehicle is no longer under warranty. If this is such a common occurrence, shouldn't this be a recall? if ignored, this could lead to severe engine damage.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #162

Nov 122019

Cherokee

  • 56,800 miles
Drove car for only 2-3 blocks after sitting 8 hours while at work (first time 11/12/19 - outside temp in the 30's) and the second time overnight in unheated garage (11/23/19 - outside temps in the 30's), while turning right at a stoplight to enter on to a major artery (first time) and a stop-sign to enter onto a residential street (second time) the car shut itself off coming to a complete stop. Both times car was not "warmed-up" before driving. Contacted a local Chrysler/Jeep dealer who got us in for check-up 11/27/19 and eventually said the engine oil was below the dipstick and if the oil gets too low the engine will get hot and to prevent engine damage the car will shut down automatically. This has never happened before despite us traveling for the past 4 summers approximately 4000 miles from Kansas City to yellowstone national park and back, and the summer of 2018 to yellowstone, seattle and back (total of over 5000 miles and each time not getting another oil change for over another month to 5 months of city driving once we got back home. The last oil change we had before these two incidents referenced above was on July 19, 2019 and the mileage was 53191. The mileage on the car now is 56916. Taken into account that we've probably driven about 150 miles since the first incident until right now, that means we're "down" 1 quart/1800 miles. Researching "google", there are multiple complaints from other Cherokee owners of 2016 or other year models of the same issue. They say Jeep feels 1 quart of oil used/1000miles of driving is acceptable. Even so, my concern is why my vehicle is suddenly experiencing this power loss and oil usage when for the past 5 years (purchased car 10/31/2015) it has never been an issue. One oil change mileage was over 7500 miles and yet we never had this problem. The oil light has never come on to warn of low oil pressure.

- Olathe, KS, USA

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