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2016 Jeep Cherokee

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee has 1,396 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (551 complaints) and engine (339 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Jeep Cherokee, consider the 2023 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Jeep Cherokee dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 3

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

23V302000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 ...

Risk

A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

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 ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V284000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Chrysler 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 manufacture...

Risk

A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chry...

Reported Nov 5, 2016

16V287000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Chrysler 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 manufact...

Risk

A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrys...

Reported Nov 5, 2016

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000594487241351167
2001509241103153110
20143631592396631205
201526780185388849
201625979168339551
201725642194269560
201812129113168247
201925168157477624
202049191845127
2021239142566
2022628919
202301002

By Category

Transmission
551
Engine
339
Body
259
Electrical
168
Brakes
79

By Severity

1
682
2
660
3
5
4
49

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 2

Gear shift locks up and car must be turned off and restarted.

11d ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally with the message "Service 4WD" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V302000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The contact was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were currently on backorder. The failure mileage was 86,000.

23d ago
Transmission 1

Bad PTU/Transfer case.

28d ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The contact pulled over into a parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V302000 (POWER TRAIN) and 20V343000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,177.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 86,778 and at the time of the vehicle's oil change, it was discovered that on the last oil change the mileage was 90,003.

1mo ago
Brakes 1

The parking brake has engaged on it's own 4 times. Twice while I was driving and twice while I was parked in my driveway with car started and attempting to leave. When parked it will not let me roll. When driving the vehicle shimmies and acts like it has serious problems like the wheel is about to fall off. One time there was a yellow exclamation point as a warning light as it was having the issue. The other time there were no warning lights. I never use my parking brake. It came on when I was about a mile down the road. I believe the first 2 times were in March. The last 2 were in May 2026

1mo ago
Body 2

I pressed button to open back hatch. It started raising and then all of a sudden it closed down and almost knocked me out. My head is very sore where it hit me. I had not pressed button to close it. It just closed on it's own without warning. This happened once before right after I bought the car. I just thought it was a fluke, so i did not report it at that time. I have not taken it anywhere to get checked out. I work so it is challenging to take it during business hours.

1mo ago
Body 1

My jeep Cherokee isn’t catching gears when I drive it also has the svc 4wd light on

2mo ago
Transmission 2

My vehicle year and model are part of the PTU recall and is having the Service 4WD message, rolling when parked, and losing power. When I contacted FCA, they informed me that my VIN is not part of their recall, despite being the exact issue in the recall, and I would have to pay to replace my PTU myself. I just want it included so they will replace my PTU because the exact symptoms are what mine is having.

2mo ago
Engine 4

pulling out of a gas station the engine revved and accelerated without me pressing on the pedal harder. i tried pressing the brakes and they would not respond. It caused my vehicle to crash into a pole where it continued to rev until the vehicle was turned off.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

Within two years of owning this jeep, the rear differential has failed, the battery has failed twice, they didn’t include the extra battery in this jeep that EVERY other model has so it needs a new battery every two years like clockwork to keep the power systems running normally. It’s needed new spark plugs after four failed at once. Now it has the service 4WD light back on even though supposedly there isn’t any recalls still. I’ve never owned a car that has needed as much work as this jeep. Ever. I know several people that have owned them and not one person has enjoyed the vehicle due to the repairs being so often. I take care of my cars and do the maintenance on time continuously. It’s crazy to have this many things go wrong this often.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

The PTU 2 speed is not engaging anymore the low gear range, errore message says the motor actuator is stuck.

2mo ago
Body 1

"Service 4WD" warning, intermittent driveline fault over bumps. Slight lag in drive as well. PTU Code C14A7-97. Very Concerned about loss of drive power.

2mo ago
Body 2

While driving or idle at the light the ABS light, traction control light and parking brake light come on and have a loss power steering.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on several occasions while either of her children were driving at various speeds, the transmission warning light illuminated. On one occasion, the FWD warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact added that the vehicle then lost power and did not accelerate as intended during each occasion. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted each time, after which it resumed normal driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transfer case unit needed to be replaced due to the Jeep Active Drive One. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the contact was provided with the same diagnosis: the transfer case unit needed to be replaced due to the Jeep Active Drive One. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

2mo ago
Electrical 2

Intermittent 4wd servicing displaying with no error codes when diagnosed. Loss of acceleration when displayed. Additionally there is a small vapor leak that cannot be found and the

2mo ago
Electrical 1

There is an open recall for 2014 -2016 Jeep Cherokees for a problem with the power liftgate module. My vehicle is a 2016 Cherokee but it is not included in the recall. The liftgate module in my vehicle is being replaced right now for the same issue in the recall , water intrusion. I would like to know why vehicle is not included in the recall .

2mo ago
Transmission 2

4WD light displayed on dash. Dealer responded this was a known issue with PTU recalls, however, my VIN was not included. Was warned by dealer not to drive due to fire danger. This recall should be expanded to include all vehicles manufactured within this timeframe as a car with 122,000 miles SHOULD NOT HAVE A $4,000 repair. Please help!

2mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message “4WD/Pull Over” was displayed, and the Low Oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact became aware of the warning lights after receiving an oil change. Additionally, the oil level needed to be topped off after driving approximately 3,000 miles. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and it decelerated and stalled. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, waited for several minutes, then made several attempts to restart the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned and was able to drive as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, and that the oil level sensor was inoperable. The dealer reprogrammed the ECM, but failures persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

From airbags all of them. yes its available for inspection. the airbags deployed while I was driving and I couldn't control the car and ended up in a ditch. yes we were put at risk as well as others on the road. Nobody has inspected vehicle at this time. no prior issues or warnings. It deployed without any warnings. There was NO cause for this to happen, No impact when this ocured.

3mo ago

1396 total

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