2017 Jeep Cherokee: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
NHTSA has 1 open defect investigation (not a recall). Known weak spot on this generation: 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 — oil consumption. 6 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 49% about transmission & drivetrain.
Oil level and consumption history, rough idle / stalling (MultiAir), any engine or short-block replacement on record.
Known problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 — oil consumption $1,500–$4,000 to fix
The 2.4L Tigershark burns oil, sometimes severely, and can throw a rod when the level drops — plus MultiAir brick failures causing rough running. A class action was settled.
Check for: Oil level and consumption history, rough idle / stalling (MultiAir), any engine or short-block replacement on record.
Basis: Tigershark oil-consumption class-action settlement; NHTSA complaints
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2017 Jeep Cherokee recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Transmission & drivetrain
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Details 25V011000
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Fix: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
- Transmission & drivetrain
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Details 23V302000
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 of drive power or loss of park function.
Fix: 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 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-343.
- Transmission & drivetrain
A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Details 20V343000
Chrysler (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 spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
- Electrical
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Details 18V332000
Chrysler (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, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- Equipment
The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 17V543000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
- Airbags
If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Details 16V799000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
2017 Jeep Cherokee safety investigations and free repairs
Under investigation (not a recall):
- Desiccated air bag inflator rupture since Sep 2021
Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Warranty extension: (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- Engine: "2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes.
- Wheels: Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline XJ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2017 Jeep Cherokee safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
1,334 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Jeep Cherokee years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator