46 of the
1,927 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Cherokee are about the
steering — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
39,176 miles.
Vehicle has a known safety Bulletin out from Stellantis for the PTU but this model does not fall under it. I am having issues with the PtU and concerns with safety of driving and others. Will need repaired. Frustration that my certain subsection of this model is not covered under the safety bulletin despite known problems and significant safety risk.
NHTSA complaint #11680180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodlake, CA
STEERING
I believe the PTU is malfunctioning and causing the transmission to slip or jerk. I am experiencing uncontrolled movement while driving. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection upon request. This puts myself and 2 small children at risk while driving, therefore my ability to use this vehicle is extremely limited and high risk. I have taken it to a jeep dealership in porterville ca who stated my transmission needed replacement. they verbally stated my ptu was ok but never confirmed it with documentation. i have taken it to private mechanics who could not find any issues saying that the problem is internal. the mechanics i have taken it to in the past year have not come to a solution other than to suggest i wait for a resolution to the recall. The service all wheel drive light came on/off about a year ago and was consistant for several months but has turned off for awhile now.
NHTSA complaint #11667416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesCorona, CA
STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's husband struck a curb. The contact's husband depressed the brake pedal and attempted to make a turn, but the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The "Service Shifter" message was displayed, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled while driving. The steering wheel was firm while making the turn. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the independent mechanic that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11599265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lutz, FL
STEERING
I was driving my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4L, car won't start, I have oil pressure sensor to warn me when low doesn't alert me at all, only time is when I realized a beep when I made turns and would indicate oil pressure low! I can't get my car to stop and it stalled on me while driving with no indication of low oil, and I have two kids and could have been very bad, since no power no breaks no steering!
NHTSA complaint #11583381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, OR
STEERING
My Jeep Cherokee(vin [XXX] ) was being flat towed behind a class a motorhome. On 4 separate occasions the front wheels of the jeep started bucking right to left and back to opposite side causing the whole motorhome to violently vibrate. 1) The first time it happened was at about 15 mph while turning left onto a connecting road. It started vibrating so I pulled to side of street and stopped. After getting out and discovering nothing of note I started off and the wobble was gone. 2) Second time was while driving at around 50 mph. There was a bump and grade change in the road and the wobble started. Much more violent than the first. I had to stop while in the traffic lane, with no place to pull over. This time I could see the wobble in the rear camera of the motorhome. Jeep was violently bucking back and forth as before but much stronger. 3) Slower speed at about 20 mph it happended again. Had to come to a stop before it corrected. 4) 40 mph and a very subtle road surface change caused wobble. I disconnected Jeep and drove it by itself to home. Never had an incident other than while being towed. This has happened 4 times in the past 5 trips of around 300 miles each. Since then I have discovered articles about "Jeep Death Wobbles" and have not found any evidence where Jeep has even acknowledged there is an issue. Until I see user manual that mentions a "Mopar Wiring Kit" that needs to be installed. I do not know if this is considered a recall or if is an after thought mentioned in the manual. At any rate the Jeep was sold as a flat towable vehicle and Jeep should stand behind it and install the Mopar fix as a safety fix at no charge to customers who bought it as a flat tow vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11582840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fitchburg, WI
STEERING
Today while driving, my vehicle’s power steering went out causing me to pull over to the side of the road. My car was running, but I was unable to move it. When I put it in drive, the lights on the shifter would flash, but the car would not change gears. The problem appears to be electrical as the battery is brand new, and the engine was running.
NHTSA complaint #11568427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St. Louis, MO
STEERING
After the weekend rain, I went to start the 2017 Jeep Cherokee it did not start. I had the battery car jumped and it started up when driving it the steering wheel locked up. The dashboard started to display antilock brake assist off system, power steering assist off system, service transmission restart in Park with vehicle 0 speed, and so many red lights started flashing afterwards. I was in the car with my children a car that was coming behind me had to swerve around me as my car instantly stopped. This could’ve been a horrific or fatal car accident. I just hit my car check to renew my plates the emissions pass and everything safety was good. With this current situation, I would now have to get my car back to the dealership for further inspection, and will be without a car.
NHTSA complaint #11552797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,808 milesKilleen, TX
STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact had heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle had started overheating. The vehicle was hesitant to accelerate and the steering had become firm. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty shifter vessel and ECU jumper harness. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,808.
NHTSA complaint #11549565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ofallon, MO
STEERING
my 2017 jeep cherokee (vin [XXX] ) has two recalls that are affecting the vhicle. the first is the shifter and harness recall that causes the vehicle to display "service shifter" messages randomly, and all of the shifter lights turn on. the second is the recall effecting how the vehicle shifts. please send me information on how to get these recalls fixed without having to pay a fortune. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11549118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woburn, MA
STEERING
I brought car in for oil change and was told the R front axle was leaking. Brought it to dealer for repair and told Both that both front and rear axles needed to be replaced along with PTU. Was informed that the that was ordered was cancelled b/c 800 people across the country were looking for the same part. There were no safety warnings. I was told very unsafe to drive b/c front axle came out of PTU.
NHTSA complaint #11533162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belton, MO
STEERING
Service shifter message has been appearing and at times, all lights on PRND lighting up. The vehicle transmission may still engage or may not. Recent occurrence on 07/13/2013, vehicle took 20 minutes before transmission engaged. Fortunately, I was parked at work, going home. If this occurred on the road, has potential of wreck happening. Jeep dealership leaning towards voltage error, cleaned battery terminals, test drove, could not replicate error. Did not drive until 07/17/2023, service shifter message came back without all PRND lights coming on.
NHTSA complaint #11532843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceburg, KY
STEERING
Service shifter keeps going on but no dealer ship know what the problem is and I have been stuck because of it.
NHTSA complaint #11520146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Converse, TX
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While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicles steering wheel locked, all lights on the dash came on and the car shut completely off. My daughter was able to slowly pump the breaks to stop because there was no traffic but had there been she could have been in a serious accident since the car completely shut down. This is a huge safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11447304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orland Park, IL
STEERING
I was driving like normal about 15 mph after just pulling out of the gas station onto the main road and have no issues with my car as of late and all of a sudden it just stopped. All the lights lite up on the shift, every light lite up on the dash saying everything needed to be serviced, I was unable to move or do anything with the car, not even turn it off and i was in the middle of the road! Luckily no one was behind me and I was still able to engage my hazards. After about 10 min's my car turned off on it's own. I sat for another 10 before finally being able to turn it back on and move it to the side of the road and eventually get it back to my house 2 miles away. Clearly this is a serious safety issue and is not ok, especially the fact that my car was bought brand new and is not even 5 years old!
NHTSA complaint #11435430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New Hyde Park, NY
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Car stalls without warning or indicator lights and will not restart in a safe manner. There are dozens of reports concerning this situation online and it is a SERIOUS safety issue that has received no attention. There is apparently and “incomplete” notice from JEEP that has failed to reach all customers. This has now happened to me three times — 2 of which were in situations that created significant safety risk.
NHTSA complaint #11432682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
STEERING
Service shifter warning. Car stalled twice. It has 45 k miles only. Won't start on first try.
NHTSA complaint #11425369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Cloud, MN
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While driving the Service Shifter prompt came on and all the lights on the gear box turned red. The safety risk when this prompt came on is huge as you are driving and trying not to panic as you don't know if the car will stall or stop suddenly. MANY other people with Jeeps have experienced this problem. There should be a recall for this issue. This vehicle has under 25,000 miles. I went to the dealership and was informed the parts are not covered under warranty. It was confirmed the Bezel and Wire Harness will have to be replaced which the dealership did on 6/24/2021. The vehicle was only inspected by the dealership. No other warnings or dashboard messages prior to 6/23/2021.
NHTSA complaint #11422623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesNorth Brookfield, MA
STEERING
JEEP WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, LOSE POWER STEERING, CANNOT ACCELERATE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY, BATTERY, OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND RECEIVE A MESSAGE SAYING TO "SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL TO START THE VEHICLE". IF YOU WANT A COUPLE MINUTES THE JEEP STRUGGLE TO TURNOVER BUT EVENTUALLY WILL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!!!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11413493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,346 milesSterling, IL
STEERING
DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TURNING RIGHT. A LOT OF CLICKING MAKING NOISE WHEN I BACK UP. AND TURN WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11406341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesWaterloo, NY
STEERING
I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION STOPPED YESTERDAY AND MY 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES. DASHBOARD FLASHED 'CAR MUST BE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO SHIFT GEARS' AND WOULDN'T GO FORWARD, STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY TO RESET IT AND TOOK A LONG TIME TO TURN OVER. WENT OUT WITH IT AGAIN THIS MORNING AND SAME THING BUT GOING ABOUT 20MPH. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AS I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11402905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesMedway, MA
STEERING
JEEP SAYS 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND SHOWS UP ON THE DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS TURN RED ON THE SHIFTER ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY JEEP. THE FREQUENCY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD TO RESTART MY JEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO AWAY, AND WITHIN MINUTES NOW IT IS BACK ON. IT HAS GONE AWAY IN THE PAST BUT FOR AN UNKNOWN TIME (SOMETIMES A DAY SOMETIMES WEEKS.) IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE SHIFTING, DRIVING, AND WHILE PARKED. THE LIGHT IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE DASH BUT ALSO CONCERNING SINCE IT IS A KNOWN SHIFTER ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11394976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesSAN Francisco, CA
STEERING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING DETAILS ISSUED JUNE 4, 2018 RECALL ID 299936 NHTSA CAMPAIGN #18V332000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 4,815,661 COMPONENT AFFECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT DETAILS ISSUED JULY 14, 2020 RECALL ID 314017 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 20V343000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 67,248 COMPONENT AFFECTED POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE: DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHEELS: RIM DETAILS ISSUED OCTOBER 13, 2017 RECALL ID 269528 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 17V543000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 22,242 COMPONENT AFFECTED WHEELS: RIM
NHTSA complaint #11377991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesMaysville, KY
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING DOWN D RTHE HIGHWAY MY JEEP SHUT OFF MID MOTION, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 WAY. WE COSTED TO SIDE OF ROAD I CRANKED IT 5-6 TIMES THEN IT STARTED . WHEN MY CHEROKEE STOPED THE DASH READ SHIFT TO PARK THEN SELECT A GEAR. THE NEXT TIME IT DIED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I WAS RUNNING 55 MPH, THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND THE CAR DIED. THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT FROM SAID THEY FOUND NO ISSUE THIS IS AN ISSUE IT IS GOING TO GET ME OR MY KIDS HURT. I HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL SHUT DOWN. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT COME ON IS THE SHIFT INTO PARK PRESS BRAKE SELECT GEAR. IT IS TERRIFYING I USE THIS JEEP CHEROKEE TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11354322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesSioux City, IA
STEERING
WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CITY STREET MY VEHICLE DINGED, TURNED OFF AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH 'SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE, SELECT GEAR'. I COULD NOT USE MY STEERING WHEEL OR BREAKS DURING THIS TIME. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND FULL TOOK MY KEY OUT. THEN ATTEMPTED TO START IT. I ONLY HEARD A SLIGHT SOUND BUT NO TURN OVER. I REPEATED THIS STEP AND THIS TIME, AFTER MOMENTARILY SPUTTERING, I WAS ABLE TO GIVE THE CAR GAS AND IT STAYED ON. I COULD SMELL OIL AT THIS POINT. IT SEEMS THIS IS RELATED TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH TRIGGERS THE CAR TO SHUT OFF TO PROTECT THE ENGINE. EXCEPT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE IS FINE AND THERE ARE NO PRIOR WARNINGS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #11340834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,600 milesNorthport, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE GEARS LIGHT UP. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO RESUME BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE PART REPAIRED WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,600.
NHTSA complaint #11337767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSpanaway, WA
STEERING
MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT HAS CAME UP 3 SEPARATE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT CAME ON, MY JEEP TOOK ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHILE I WAS IN MOTION, LOCKING UP MY TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL. I COULD NOT GET MY PARK BACK INTO DRIVE, AND IT CAUSED ME TO SLIDE OFF THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE ALSO HAD MY BLUETOOTH AND MY RADIO MALFUNCTIONING. IT CHANGES STATIONS AND VOLUME BY ITSELF, SWITCHES BETWEEN AM AND FM AND CHANGES VOLUME RANDOMLY. MY U CONNECT BLUETOOTH STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY.*DT*TP CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN FRIDAY MARCH 13TH. WHILE DRIVING SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND REPAIRED.*JB*DT*TP*DT*DT
NHTSA complaint #11316751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSpanaway, WA
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
MY SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT HAS CAME UP 3 SEPARATE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT CAME ON, MY JEEP TOOK ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHILE I WAS IN MOTION, LOCKING UP MY TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL. I COULD NOT GET MY PARK BACK INTO DRIVE, AND IT CAUSED ME TO SLIDE OFF THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE ALSO HAD MY BLUETOOTH AND MY RADIO MALFUNCTIONING. IT CHANGES STATIONS AND VOLUME BY ITSELF, SWITCHES BETWEEN AM AND FM AND CHANGES VOLUME RANDOMLY. MY U CONNECT BLUETOOTH STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY.*DT*TP CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND THE TIRES HAD LOCKED UP. INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN FRIDAY MARCH 13TH. WHILE DRIVING SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND REPAIRED.*JB*DT*TP*DT*DT
NHTSA complaint #11316751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesCassville, MO
STEERING
MY JEEP ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS! SERVICE SHIFTER AND ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON THE SHIFTER. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THAT ALERT APPEARED
NHTSA complaint #11316174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,500 milesHouston, TX
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I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR LOCKED AND TOLD ME SERVICE SHIFTER, I IMMEDIATELY CALL JEEP WHO TOLD ME TO GO THE DEALERSHIP NEAR WHO TOLD ME THEY COULDNT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #11299924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington,, DC
STEERING
A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COME UP ON MY OPTOMETER SCREEN 4 TIMES IN 3 DAYS. THE WARNING APPEARS IN RED LETTERS THAT ALSO HIGHLIGHT ALL GEAR LIGHTS RED AND THE SCREEN WAS LOCKED TO SERVICE SHIFTER. THIS TAKES PLACES WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTS BUT I CANNOT SHIFT THE GEARS. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF 2019 MODELS HAVING THIS HAPPEN AND CAR STOPS WHILE IN MOTION. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CASE, SO MANY JEEP CHEROKEE MODELS 2016-2020 HAVE BEEN WIDELY AFFECTED BY THIS SHIFT SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11298573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.