2016 Jeep Cherokee problems and recalls

Owners have filed 1,406 complaints on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, and NHTSA has issued 9 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (629 complaints).

1,406
Complaints
9
Recalls
37
Crash reports
14
Fire reports
27
Injuries
33.8
Severity index

Severity index 33.8 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 33.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 128 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 9% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 629 complaints (44.7%)629 45%EngineEngine: 314 complaints (22.3%)314 22%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 313 complaints (22.3%)313 22%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 297 complaints (21.1%)297 21%Service BrakesService Brakes: 94 complaints (6.7%)94 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 76 complaints (5.4%)76 5%SteeringSteering: 53 complaints (3.8%)53 4%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 43 complaints (3.1%)43 3%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN62944.7%
ENGINE31422.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER31322.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29721.1%
SERVICE BRAKES946.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL765.4%
STEERING533.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM433.1%

Complaints filed per year

01402802015: 52016: 612017: 952018: 1452019: 2712020: 2022021: 1062022: 942023: 1492024: 1202025: 1082026: 50 (partial year)151617181927120212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20155
201661
201795
2018145
2019271
2020202
2021106
202294
2023149
2024120
2025108
2026 (year to date)50
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (377 against 402).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V33200017/05/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGChrysler (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
15V82600009/12/2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNKChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in
17V82400021/12/2017EQUIPMENTChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. Th
16V59000010/08/2016SEATSChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
16V28700011/05/2016POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTChrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
16V28400011/05/2016POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTChrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
20V34300011/06/2020POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNITChrysler (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 splin
23V30200027/04/2023POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONChrysler (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.
23V33800011/05/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNKChrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

Other Jeep Cherokee model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-07. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.