2017 Jeep Cherokee Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 648 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 49% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 46,638 miles. The words owners use most often: “service shifter” (47% of reports).
- 648power train complaints
- 46,638median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $3,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Service shifter: mentioned in 303 of 648 complaints (47%)
- Power transfer: mentioned in 50 of 648 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee at $3,500, and half of them between $610 and $5,150.
Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 405 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 648 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cherokee | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2023 Cherokee | 2 | 67% | 11,500 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 28 | 55% | 63,000 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 100 | 58% | 70,000 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 189 | 58% | 64,000 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 821 | 49% | 50,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 295 | 43% | 40,500 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 648 | 49% | 46,638 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 632 | 45% | 48,079 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,004 | 56% | 24,000 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,471 | 56% | 34,000 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 2 | 12% | 26,689 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 24 | 10% | 33,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 29 | 8% | 65,325 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 53 | 14% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 65 | 16% | 121,000 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 47 | 12% | 164,000 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 60 | 13% | 112,673 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 43 | 7% | 14,600 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train
Problem: 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.
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.
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
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.
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.
Power train:driveline:differential unit; power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. bI heard a loud cracking/crushing noise coming from underneath the vehicle. When I tried to accelerate, the Jeep would not shift properly into gear. The engine revved, but the…
PTU failed on my 2017 Cherokee Jeep. It should be involved in a recall BUT it is not and Iâm paying out of pocket to this repair.
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. While the owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated, and the vehicle was shaking erratically. The âService 4WDâ message was displayed. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2017 Jeep Cherokees have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 648 owner complaints about power train for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee (49% of the 1,336 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 46,638 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,500 (half paid between $610 and $5,150), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “service shifter”, in 303 of 648 complaints, followed by “power transfer” (50).
Other 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems
See all 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems or power train problems across all Cherokee years.