What 1,398 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee

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

NHTSA ODI 11748678

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.

NHTSA ODI 11746481

Bad PTU/Transfer case.

NHTSA ODI 11745384

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.

NHTSA ODI 11744543

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.

NHTSA ODI 11744614

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.

NHTSA ODI 11741437

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

NHTSA ODI 11741684

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

NHTSA ODI 11737741

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737661

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737719

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.

NHTSA ODI 11737233

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

NHTSA ODI 11737311

"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.

NHTSA ODI 11737391

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736780

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.

NHTSA ODI 11736054

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

NHTSA ODI 11733086

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 .

NHTSA ODI 11733088

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!

NHTSA ODI 11732672

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.

NHTSA ODI 11728808

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.

NHTSA ODI 11726104

A “Service 4WD” warning light is currently illuminated on the dashboard. The front axles and shock/strut assemblies have already been replaced; however, the warning light remains on. The dealership has diagnosed the issue as a failed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). I was informed that many vehicles of similar make, model, and year are covered under a recall for this issue, but my specific vehicle is not included. The estimated repair cost is approximately 4,000. This presents a significant safety concern, as the failure can result in a complete loss of power and loss of parking brake functionality.

NHTSA ODI 11724934

Service 4 WD warning light is on. Vehicle will not engage 4wd.

NHTSA ODI 11724411

My 2016 Jeep Cherokee AWD began showing a “Service 4WD” warning on the dashboard. At the same time the vehicle developed noticeable drivetrain vibration at highway speeds above approximately 55 mph and gears began taking longer than normal to change. A dealership diagnosed the vehicle and found diagnostic code C14A7-97. The technician determined the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) shift motor is binding due to internal wear and that the PTU must be replaced to restore proper four-wheel-drive function. The failure prevents the vehicle from engaging 4WD and causes vibration while driving at highway speeds. The dealer quoted approximately 3,176 to replace the PTU and stated the part is currently on national backorder. This appears similar to the PTU failure addressed in recall 20V343000 affecting other Jeep Cherokee vehicles, but my VIN is not included. Because the symptoms and failure appear identical to the recall condition, I am reporting this as a potential safety defect involving drivetrain failure and vibration during highway driving.My 2016 Jeep Cherokee AWD began showing a “Service 4WD” warning on the dashboard. At the same time the vehicle developed noticeable drivetrain vibration at highway speeds above approximately 55 mph and gears began taking longer than normal to change. A dealership diagnosed the vehicle and found diagnostic code C14A7-97. The technician determined the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) shift motor is binding due to internal wear and that the PTU must be replaced to restore proper four-wheel-drive function. The failure prevents the vehicle from engaging 4WD and causes vibration while driving at highway speeds. The dealer quoted approximately 3,176 to replace the PTU and stated the part is currently on national backorder. This appears similar to the PTU failure addressed in recall 20V343000 affecting other Jeep Cherokee vehicles, but my VIN is not included. Because the symptoms and failure appear identical to the recall condition, I am reporting this

NHTSA ODI 11724115

I have a 4x4 disengagement warning light and all reviews I have researched say you have to replace the rear transfer case. I bought this car October 2025 111000 miles on it 5 months in I have had to replace a shifter cable, the oil filter housing and now this rear ptu. The srv 4x4 light comes and goes. This could be electrical for poorly made un serviceable parts. I have read and researched miles of threads on this problem. I and many hard working men and women have been affected by these issues. I have never felt this angry about owning a vehicle that is in great shape and is utterly failing to to the lack of mechanically sound products that used in these jeep brand vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11723982

I was stopped at a traffic light and when it tire we green I was unable to drive as the emergency brake was holding the vehicle. I was unable to release it. Car would not go forward or backwards. Finally was able to drive after disconnecting battery for a few minutes. Drive directly to repair station. They changed the e brake switch, and the motor on one side of rear brake and the caliper also. Was working for less than one day and I am still experiencing the problem. The service brake light is still on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11722400