2016 Jeep Cherokee problems

POWER TRAIN

My PTU/transfer case has failed and our Jeep is currently in the shop. They are stating that this exact issue is part of an ongoing recall and that our vehicle should also be added to the recall list due to this part being the exact reason for the recall. They told me that it is unsafe to drive due to power transfer failure while driving, and potential vehicle rollaway. The problem initially was severe grinding noises noted while driving and it was confirmed by our mechanic at our local dealership. He then inspected the unit and noted the failure. I received no warning messages on my vehicle dash prior to this issue. The grinding has been ongoing for about 6 months to a year prior to this but was much less and I kept being told it was either the tires rubbing whilst turning or that my 4WD was "just having a hard time" by other mechanics which I now know was not the case). Please consider my vehicle to be added to this recall. This fix is entirely too expensive for a mom of two young kids, in the state of this economy, who needs their car back as soon as possible.

NHTSA complaint #11756490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My 2016 Jeep Cherokee developed severe grinding/scraping noise and vibration associated with the PTU. In 2023, I brought it to Larry H. Miller Jeep 104th for PTU-related Safety Recall 45A and also reported abnormal noise. The noise was not documented and the PTU was not replaced, despite Warranty Extension XJ1 already being in effect. In 2026, after the noise worsened, I returned to an authorized Jeep dealer and specifically reported the PTU concern and XJ1. The dealer stated the PTU tested normally and attributed the noise to other issues. I obtained an independent ASE-certified inspection from Wesley Automotive. Wesley documented PTU noise/vibration, a magnetic plug coated in metal, excessive ferrous metal in the PTU fluid, and a faulty PTU requiring replacement. After unrelated wheel-bearing and brake repairs, Wesley documented that the PTU concern remained and provided a photograph showing metal debris on the plug and written diagnostic findings. A subsequent authorized Jeep representative stated XJ1 would not apply without fault code P1720-00 or P215C-00 even if metal were present in the PTU, while acknowledging that the metal condition presented a safety concern. Despite documented PTU failure and metal contamination, it remains unrepaired because Jeep has conditioned XJ1 replacement on specified fault codes rather than physical findings. This follows the 2023 PTU-related recall visit, a later authorized dealer reporting no applicable codes and stating the PTU tested normally, and AutoNation requiring me to authorize a $295 diagnostic fee for yet another evaluation. Stellantis continues to require additional dealer evaluation despite this history and independent physical evidence of PTU deterioration. I am concerned continued operation puts my family and me at risk of PTU failure, sudden power loss, or loss of drivability. The vehicle remains in service with a faulty PTU and metal contamination.

NHTSA complaint #11756027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Good afternoon, my 2016 Jeep Cherokee is currently at the Local Jeep Dealer in Savannah, Georgia. I have been informed by the dealership that my Power Transfer Unit has failed and has to be replaced. I went to your website and this is an ACTIVE CAMPAIGN for this issue, it is #23V302000. This is a known recall issue and thus the RECALL was issued. Problem, my vehicle's VIN is not listed on your or Mopar's website. I get it, if the VIN is included it is an automatic issue and it will be repaired. My Jeep has the exact mechanical issue covered by the recall, but its not on the list. My question, can my Jeep / VIN be added to the recall? My VIN is [XXX]. I'm a US Veteran with [XXX] of service, I'm on Social Security, and I'm [XXX] old. This repair will be very expensive and I have limited resources. Anything you can do, would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11753337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

The vehicle show code B0020-13. This is a fault in the wiring system for the airbags. Caused by Jeep engineering being bad. This has nothing to do with how is driven or used and is a massive safety issue and shuts the entire airbag system down. It requires fix 10-001-20. This issue is so common they have issued a bulletin. The fix is $1100. The fact that this isn't covered by Chrysler is an abomination to safety and is absolutely ridiculous. Then being allowed to not fix air bag issue they know they have caused should be illegal. I'm embarrassed to even have to write this. This is going to kill someone.

NHTSA complaint #11750881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle show code B0020-13. This is a fault in the wiring system for the airbags. Caused by Jeep engineering being bad. This has nothing to do with how is driven or used and is a massive safety issue and shuts the entire airbag system down. It requires fix 10-001-20. This issue is so common they have issued a bulletin. The fix is $1100. The fact that this isn't covered by Chrysler is an abomination to safety and is absolutely ridiculous. Then being allowed to not fix air bag issue they know they have caused should be illegal. I'm embarrassed to even have to write this. This is going to kill someone.

NHTSA complaint #11750881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11748678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11746481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Bad PTU/Transfer case.

NHTSA complaint #11745384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11744543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

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 complaint #11744614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 complaint #11741437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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 complaint #11741684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

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

NHTSA complaint #11737741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11737719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11737233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11737311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"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 complaint #11737391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 complaint #11737233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

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 complaint #11736780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11736054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 complaint #11736054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 complaint #11733086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 complaint #11733086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.