FaultScore

2016 Jeep Cherokee driver assist problems

30 of the 2,046 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee are about the driver-assist systems — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 43,492 miles.

B

30

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Emergency Braking 24 80.0%
Adaptive Cruise Control 3 10.0%
Warnings 2 6.7%
Blind Spot Detection 1 3.3%

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance across every Jeep Cherokee year

2014 33 17.8%
2015 23 12.4%
2016 30 16.2%
2017 21 11.4%
2019 51 27.6%
2020 14 7.6%
2021 13 7.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Jamesville, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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 complaint #11722400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glouster, OH Crash

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I was going home, speed limit 55 mph, so thats what I was doing. A suv entering a intersection ahead of me, ( i dont have a stop or yield sign, but they do) the suv never stops, rolling into the intersection, as im entering the intersection at 55 mph. I tried avoidance at last second to no avail. My front drivers corner smashed the middle, passenger side of the other suv. My Jeep continues to the right, uncontrollable, stops in someone's front yard, engine still running. The other car swerved to the left, still on the road, rolling on its side. My airbags never deployed, i didnt even get any lights on the dash, i had to shut the engine off. Not one airbag deployed, and nothing even recognized there was something wrong. This car is supposed to have all options for airbags, yet a collision at highway speed, with post wreck travel of less than 50 feet, and not one single air bag deployed. I very literally could have died right there. I honestly dont know how i didn't.

NHTSA complaint #11718675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seffner, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

vehicle losing power even when on. Does not accelerate in drive or reverse. My issue is the dealer found corroded wires, but when did they not say that the last time it was in which was 3 months ago. They also all of sudden tell me my battery does not fit my Jeep so they needed to replace to new battery in order to be able s add mf diagnose. All this makes no sense.

NHTSA complaint #11663789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Thomaston, CT

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was driving my car and the parking brake went on at a stop light and wouldn’t unstick. Water has been leaking in to the car and it isn’t properly sealed.

NHTSA complaint #11649169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beech Grove, IN Crash 1 injured

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Cruise control would not disengage. Instead it accelerated me to 85 mph is rush hour traffic. The car continued to accelerate will out responding to any commands to turn off cruise control. Second time this has happened. It was supposed to be fixed by doing an update to the car. This did not work. The second time I attempted to use cruise control after having had the long block engine replaced due to the oil consumption law suit, the car once again had the same problem with now slowing down. I tried putting the car into neutral and pressing the break. The car was accelerating so fast. The brakes had no effect without causing me to lose control. I was forced to put the car into a ditch at 75 mph. Rather than to rear end the dead stopped 3 lanes of traffic ahead of me and being pinned in by the traffic behind me. Car flipped I now have brain damage and failing kidneys due to blood transfusions

NHTSA complaint #11587572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, AZ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My parking brake suddenly turned on and my jeeps information center on the dash informed me to stop and shift to park. The light on the switch for the emergency brake flashes as well as the red light on the shifter and the vehicle would not shift anymore nor would the epb turn off . I had to disconnect my battery for about 30 minutes before it allowed me to disengage the parking brake and start to drive again. It happened again once or twice before it completely just stopped engaging even when I tried to engage it. Car states when attempting to engage the parking brake that the parking brake needs to be maintained the light on the switch flashes and a warning light stays on now. The odometer started flashing a day or so after the initial issue began. Now I am unable to use my parking break at all, the warning light and message to get parking brake serviced show constantly as well and the odometer continues to flash.

NHTSA complaint #11561671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jonesboro, AR

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My emergency brake is automatically engaging randomly. I was at a red light and it engaged and my vehicle would not move while in Drive. I had to shift to park and back to drive in the middle of traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11551346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crawfordvile rd, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Emergency brake will not disengage and is effecting braking and driving. It has been inspected but 2 different mechanics who have been unable to resolve issue. This has ruined my brakes and has made the vehicle difficult to drive.

NHTSA complaint #11546156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rector, AR

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

the parking brake has engaged several times at low speeds in parking lots, comes on when turn the vehicle on, and when placed into park. not sure if it will do it during high speeds, at the shop now. it happened during the Power Transfer Unit failed and should be looked at as a part affected by that. We had no issues until the PTU failed, and the parking brake started coming on when we put the vehicle into park, then would do it, the last time, the parking brake must have been instructed by the ptu to engage while the vehicle was in motion or shorted from a electrical surge from the ptu. the dealer doesn't think they are related, but i disagree. the service transmission, service 4wd, system unavailable, check engine light, abs, traction control, brake light, all came on and the parking brake engaged while pulling out into traffic, i got it to the next drive while dragging the rear tires, i was going about 20-25 mph.

NHTSA complaint #11545738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I purchased my car brand new in 2016. I did not drive the vehicle often since working in NYC and parking was impossible. Then we had the Pandemic in 2020-current and I have been working from home for the last 2 years and 8 months. The car had been in an indoor garage and occasionally I would take the car for a ride and then the car wash. I took very good care of the vehicle. On September 11, 2023, I had to meet a client in White Plains, NY and decided to drive. When I got to White Plains, NY I entered the garage and parked the car. Immediately, the brake light came on with two yellow lights. Then I was unable to reverse the car and/or go forward. Since I was already in a parking spot, I left the car in it's position and thought that I would take care of it when I return. When I returned the Emergency Brake Light was blinking and I was unable to move forward and/or backwards. The brakes were engaged so I kept pressing the Emergency Brake hoping that the brakes would disengage. After about 45 minutes turning the car on then off and pressing the Emergency Brake the brakes disengaged and I was able to move the car. The next day I mentioned the problem to my Dad (who is a mechanic and engineer) and he came to my house to inspect the car. When he opened the back compartment of the vehicle it was filled with water. My Dad tested the brakes and again the brakes were engaged and the vehicle would not go forward and/or in the reverse. The brakes would not disengage. My Dad had to tow the car to a Mechanic Shop to have them remove all the parts in the back. The Mechanics inspected the vehicle and found water leak on rear trunk of car which affected the E-brake module. Disassembly in the rear of the car was performed in order to dry the water which they say entered through sunroof of vehicle. This has been a mind blowing experience and the worse part is that the Manufacturer (FCA) states they cannot help me. This is really evil and wicked with Jeep Cherokee.

NHTSA complaint #11544925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ward, AR

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was sitting in park waiting to pump gas and when it was my time to pull forward, I shifted into drive and when I pushed the gas pedal my emergency break was on without me turning it on. About 30 minutes later this happened again. I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on and when I did, the emergency break came on. I am concerned that the emergency break will engage again when put into drive without me knowing.

NHTSA complaint #11531216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Southborough, MA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Driving down the road the emergency brake engaged and the car stopped. If there had been a car behind me, this would have created an accident, especially if I had been on the highway. I have read that others have had this problem and there is class action suit.

NHTSA complaint #11530376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My electronic parking brake malfunctioned AGAIN. The vehicle was parked and turned off without activating the parking brake. When I returned to the vehicle and restarted it the parking brake was engaged and would not turn off. In addition, the red ‘brake’ light, and yellow electronic park brake warning light on the dashboard appeared; the odometer was flashing. After several attempts putting the vehicle in D and then R, in effect “rocking it”, the parking brake did disengage. All of the lights remained on. Each time the car was placed back into ‘park’ the parking brake would re-engage, and I needed to go back through the same process to disengage the parking brake.” About the third time, the Parking Brake permanently engaged and could not be disengaged by any means. The car is at the dealer to have the Brake Module replaced for the 3rd time, ALL due to water intrusion. Water is getting in the electrical systems. There’s a recall for a minor water intrusion issue on the lift gate! This is the SAME issue. Please issue a recall before someone is seriously injured or killed. This brake could engage at any moment and easily cause a collision.

NHTSA complaint #11528655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

El Mirage, AZ

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Blower module, a/c module and yes it’s available anytime. For starters my a/c doesn’t work completely and I have a newborn that cannot be in this vehicle due to that issue. Also with my first encounter with the issue, my car turned off and all the lights came on then turned off and warned that autostart/stop didn’t work, and my emergency brakes didn’t work along with my traction control. The a/c error has be confirmed by a dealer for me, but they said it was rare for a bunch of electronics to go out with it. The vehicle has not been looked yet by a manufacturer dealer due to money being tight. The car stopped working for about 5 minutes with my brother inside the vehicle. The lights flashed on then threw out all those warnings I had mentioned up top.

NHTSA complaint #11526352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vassar, MI

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Tire and brake , bear , park brake etc less 6 month issue

NHTSA complaint #11522356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburg, NH

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Start stop system is malfunctioning. It will go off that it is malfunctioning after I go down the hill or up the hill sometimes if it’s wet out it’ll just go off but it’s not working and the other problem I’m having is the engine oil coolant housing. cracked. I noticed A bad smell of oil, then when I parked and came out of the store a bunch of oil under my car and further inspecting with my brother who was a mechanic, but retired said it is the oil engine coolant housing. He doesn’t understand why they put plastic for that type of part. both of these problems started in January 2023

NHTSA complaint #11517532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beech Grove, IN

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Car refused to exit cruise control, again Instead it accelerated. I pressed again and again cruise control to stop it did not respond. Repeatedly And more frantic I pushed pushed the button as stopped cars grew closer. The car started to accelerate instead and refused to stop Even when pressing the brake. I was able to push the brake down enough to get to engage neutral after multiple attempts. I feared fir my life and for others due to not being in control of the vehicle that was not responding to commands. I was told that the vehicle had been serviced for this problem when it happens to me prior and the dealership refused a free update due to a tsb saying it has been corrected already and I would have to pay. The dealer didn’t even not my vehicle as I asked. I was told if I’m not paying I’m not a customer and they don’t note a account for non customers. Jeep dealer Greenwood Indiana. They also wanted to charge 400 to find out why I had water leaking in the back hatch on the drivers side and said they had no knowledge of a issue with that and would not note a non Customer acct for that either. Approximately march of 2022 definitely the year maybe later in the month of the year. It was not winter though

NHTSA complaint #11507423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, DE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Jeep Cherokee 2016 has known Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 08-060-16 for electronic parking brake (EPB) malfunction. The EPB remains in the on position and automobile is not drivable nor safe to drive for risk of parking brake engaging without warning. Reason for the malfunction is due to water corrosion and damage to the connector module. (See attached pictures). According to our mechanic, the main issue is the part(s) needed to fix the issue are not available and not expected to be available until January 30, 2023. The time frame for this part continues to be pushed back. Originally was December 26, 2022.

NHTSA complaint #11501748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

When I was driving my 2016 Jeep Cherokee Limited through the grocery store parking lot today to pick up my groceries at the front of the store, my emergency parking brake suddenly came on and made my car skid to an abrupt stop. Fortunately, the pickup truck behind me did not run into the back of my car. A message on my dashboard said to depress the brake and then the emergency brake button to release the emergency brake. I did that, but as soon as I tried driving forward, the emergency brake kept automatically turning on and abruptly stopping my car. I was blocking traffic, so I had to turn the steering wheel to enter the closest available parking spot by repeatedly releasing the emergency brake and lurching forward a few feet before being abruptly stopped by the automatic emergency brake over and over again until the car was safely out of the way. I had to call the grocery store to have them hold my groceries and then call a friend to drive me home because it is Sunday and all the service garages are closed. Thank God I was not out on the highway. I recently complained to the Jeep dealership that it appears the previous recall repair to fix water leaking into the back of my car has failed, but they said there is no further recall for that. Now I see there are several owners with this same emergency brake problem that is most likely related to the leaking water. The previous recall said the car is unsafe and could catch on fire due to wires shorting. It is unbelievable that Jeep is not recalling these cars again to truly fix this very problem they previously admitted is very dangerous!!! The previous recall did not fix the problem of water leaking into the rear tailgate and now my car is malfunctioning and has standing water in the trunk. Dear God help me.

NHTSA complaint #11500743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Del Mar, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

In multiple occasions the vehicle engaged automatic breaks while driving without any obstacles around. Some of those were accompanied by a break warning in the dashboard. In all cases, the break disengaged, and it was possible to continue driving the vehicle. It was lucky that there was no car close behind, as it would otherwise cause an accident. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop. They were able to replicate the behavior but were not able to pinpoint the cause.

NHTSA complaint #11499455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kensington, MD

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

In December of 2021, we had an issue where the car braking system locked up while driving at a slow pace. Brakes seized without as if parking brake was on and we were unable to drive the vehicle. It was locked in place. Could not put in neutral, or drive or release any brake. We towed it to the closest auto service who ran diagnostics and determined it to be a faulty brake system. They replaced the Antilock Braking System module and reprogrammed it, and also replaced the brake sensor and brake booster. All for $2400. The car seemed fine until July 2022 when the brakes seized again while my daughter was driving it. We had to again have it towed and naturally went back to the place where it was originally fixed. They said the brake booster and brake switch were defective. They replaced both. Now on Monday 11/21 my son was driving the car in Philadelphia and the brakes would NOT work while he was approaching an intersection. He was slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting car in front and luckily he stopped just short of hitting car. The brakes completely seized, unable to put the car in park or drive and had to be towed to a service center. We then had it towed from PA to MD to Ourisman Jeep Service Center. They are saying that we need to now replace the vacuum pressure sensor and pressure line and possibly the brake booster again but they won't know for sure until the pressure sensor and line is changed. This is getting to be ridiculous and very pricey but most importantly-SO SO SO DANGEROUS!!! This is 3 times the brake have failed (without warning) in less than a year while driving. Jeep needs to do something about this or there will be major lawsuits on their hands. I did a search and it seems that this has been a repeated problem with this make, year and model car. Why has this not been taken care of? This is a huge liability. I will upload receipts for 1st 2 repairs but for this 3rd instance the jeep is at the jeep service and hasnt been repaired yet

NHTSA complaint #11494909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

When I went to leave work yesterday on my dash a "P" with a circle around it was illuminated on my dash is orange. I also was unable to drive in reverse as my cars parking brake was on. I tried many things to get it to release with no luck. It took about 20 minutes of turning on and off the car, googling, depressing the break and many other items. I don't know how but i finally was able to find the right combination of knobs break petal and excel ration it dropped into reverse. Late that evening I attempted to leave my home again it would not allow me to back up. I was unable to use my car and was forced to Uber. I have since unhooked my batterie, did a combination of break petal, seat belt, brake release and gas to allow the care to reverse 5/10 times. This I hear is a continued issue with a Jeep and I should file this issue with NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #11494116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Electronic system failure purchase car in 2018 it is a 2016 jeep Cherokee electronic brake booster system failure in 2019 again in 2022 driving on the expressway at the second occurrence very dangerous brakes failed due to recurring issue brake booster basically has a three-year lifespan when hazards fatalities lives lost is when recall will be processed? What does it take?

NHTSA complaint #11492879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Buffalo, NY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Based on the findings of road side assistance, due to water intrusion from heavy rains my emergency parking brake is now malfunctioning. It will not turn off when it is pressed in conjunction with the brake pedal. The light simply blinks and stops the car from moving when in the drive position.

NHTSA complaint #11486790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My trailhawk service 4 wheel drive light is on and the dealership says that it is going to cost me $3500 dollars. I first took my truck to a transmission shop and they ran a diagnostic test and it came back that it was a recall for a PTU. Power transfer unit. Recall #W47 and 2ov343. But when I took it to the dealership they said I don't have any recalls on my truck. Please help me, I can't afford to pay for the work that needs to be done. And they are saying that they don't have loner cars anymore just rental cars for $40 a day. I don't have any way to get to work.

NHTSA complaint #11485558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bensalem, PA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

2 separate incidents today. While driving down a two lane highway traffic came to a stop . I hit the gas to resume driving but the engine revved and the car didn’t move. I realized the emergency brake light was on showing the brake was engaged. After coasting downhill. I bet the gas to maintain speed but the car jerked and engine revved. I looked at the Peking brake and saw that the emergency brake light was on on the dash and the brake had self engaged again.

NHTSA complaint #11481287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Black Mountain, NC

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I brought in my vehicle for the power train update recall and it triggered my shifter light to come on which now they are saying is the shifter bezel and harness and I have to pay out of pocket for. It was not on prior to the recall software update for the power train

NHTSA complaint #11479999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Margate, FL

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

i was driving my son to school one day about 2 months ago maybe longer and all of a sudden out of no where the car shuts off saying low oil pressure. i changed out the sensor. thinking that would fix the problem. well that sure isnt the case. i burn a quart of oil 3rd or 4rh day of the week evey week taken it in no can find the problem. now i see there a recall say needs a pcm up date. maybe it it fix the problem. probaly not. i think jeep really needs to go over the jeep engines with a pick and comb and find these problems its scary drivong i am so affraid iam am going to be an a realy bad accident one day. my car always shutting off while driving iys not fun. its even worse when i jqve my child in the back seat and is helpless because he straped up in a car seat. part 2 if i fill my jeep up.with a full tank of gas it stalls and shuts of in the middle of traffic driving. or sitting at a stop light this happens every time i full my car up si no i dont fill it up because it like to shut off. so it getting to the point i want to set it of fire and roll it down a hill!! (kidding i would never do that!!)

NHTSA complaint #11444643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorsville, KY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My 2016 Jeep Cherokee with 42100 miles on it locked up much like a brake locking up. The auto park brake feature is always applied when parked and has always worked fine until now. My wife was pulling out of the garage had just started to back up and the Jeep would not move. I was in the house she came inside and told me her issue with the Jeep. I went out and tried it, and had the same issue. I put it in reverse and tried to give it some more gas.. Jeep lurched some like the brakes were locked. Had no brake light though. I turned the engine off and restarted, made sure the brake light was out.. same thing.. I gave it more gas this time and something gave. I took it for a 30 mile drive.. it was on a Sunday, no shops open to talk to about it. On the 30 mile drive I had no issues even after stopping and restarting several times. Monday I called the service department where we purchased the Jeep. They said a two month wait to get it in. I called another dealer he said he could look at it but if it has no issues for me and he had no issues nothing he could do. So now my wife who is suppose to drive 350 miles to watch some of our Grandkids for a month while our Daughter is recovering from surgery is afraid to drive her Jeep. If I drive it and it has issues while she is out of town leaving me stranded on the side of the road.. It will be a big hassle. I do have the MOPAR extended lifetime warranty.. but if they cannot duplicate the issue at a service department they can't fix it.. what to do?

NHTSA complaint #11431132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,492 miles Mentor, OH

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

TRANSMISSION JERKS. PARKING BRAKE COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY

NHTSA complaint #11402668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems

← Full 2016 Jeep Cherokee report