2016 Jeep Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report transmission and driveline problems, particularly 'Service Shifter' and 'Service Transmission' warnings that can come with a sudden loss of drive power, along with power transfer unit (PTU) failures. A second common theme is engine oil consumption and stalling, sometimes with no oil warning light. Complaints are spread fairly evenly across mileage, with many reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Service Shifter / Service Transmission and loss of drive

   • 545 complaints (39%)
   • median 46,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (407 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 17 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a 'Service Shifter' or 'Service Transmission' message appearing while driving, all gear indicator lights turning red, and the vehicle losing forward drive so that pressing the accelerator does not move it. Some report the shifter locking and being unable to select a gear, and others say restarting the vehicle clears the warning briefly before it returns. According to complaints, dealers sometimes replaced wiring harnesses, a shifter bezel, or a thermostat, and in other cases told owners there was nothing to fix without a stored warning light. Reported from a few thousand miles up to well over 100,000 miles, often in city and highway driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, watch for a 'Service Shifter' message, all gear lights lit red, or a shifter that will not move out of park, and ask the seller whether any shifter or transmission warning codes have been stored or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “'service shifter' is displayed, meaning I cannot use any of the in vehicle controls or use the manual transmission feature or see what gear I am in. It's an automatic but has the manual option. I've seen hundreds of other people effected by this, needs to be a recall asap or grounds for a class action if no action is taken.”

   NHTSA complaint #11328314, filed 2020-06, 70,000 miles

   “We have taken our Jeep in countless times since obtaining it brand new in 2016 for a service shift issue. They replaced our thermostat the first time then wiring harness to the transmission/bcm the second time since then the dealership has stated with out a check engine light not to worry about this issue. Every time it happens our Jeep heats up past 220 degrees and starts to run rough.”

   NHTSA complaint #11307367, filed 2020-02, 23,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Power transfer unit (PTU) failure and loss of power

   • 430 complaints (30%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (213 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,300 (median of 41 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report a 'Service 4WD' message, banging or unusual drivetrain noise, and the vehicle losing motive power or decelerating on its own. Several complaints describe the dealer diagnosing a failed power transfer unit that needed replacement, sometimes with the part on backorder. Some owners state their VIN was not included in a related recall even though the symptoms matched. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 110,000 miles, at both low and highway speeds.

   Recall 23V302000Recall 20V3430004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the PTU has been serviced or replaced and whether the vehicle has had the related recall work performed; check for a 'Service 4WD' message and any drivetrain noise or clunk during a road test.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the power transfer unit had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11438420, filed 2021-10, 50,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service 4WD message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power transfer unit (PTU). The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11560330, filed 2023-12, 60,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption and stalling

   • 344 complaints (24%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (260 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $950 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners report the engine using oil quickly between changes and, in some cases, stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes with no oil warning light beforehand. Several complaints say the dealer attributed the stall to low oil and described an engine shutdown as a protective feature. Other owners describe needing to add oil well before the next scheduled change. Often reported from about 35,000 to 70,000 miles, with some occurrences after only a few thousand miles since an oil change.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell, ask how often oil has been added between changes, and ask whether the oil consumption service bulletin work has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Without warning my 2016 Jeep Cherokee will stall in the middle of the road. I have checked the oil after this occurred and there was very little oil left. No indicator lights came on and this has now happened while driving at about 35-45 MPH and while making left turns. The oil is consistently changed at 5000 miles and this occurs after about 2000 miles”

   NHTSA complaint #11342131, filed 2020-07, 92,000 miles

   “Purchased 75,000 mile warranty with tob. Around 30,000 motor replaced. Oil consumption. Nc. Had it at midas at 67,584 miles because of unusual noises in the front end. Was determined to be the drivetrain. Advised me to check with tom o'brien chrysler, dodge, Jeep ram in greenwood indiana that it might be under warranty. Had it there twice, midas greenwood twice and fletcher chrysler, dodge, Jeep ram in franklin indiana twice. Each made repairs to it costing me $595 total in out-of-pocket deductibles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11397444, filed 2021-02, 67,902 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical shutdowns, battery and charging warnings

   • 156 complaints (11%)
   • median 41,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (107 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle shutting off or losing electrical power while driving, sometimes with a battery or stop/start warning light, and needing several attempts to restart. Some complaints mention a battery sensor or under-hood switch being replaced without fully resolving the problem. Others report accessory faults such as a sunroof that stops short of closing or remote start range that is shorter than expected. Spread across the mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to over 90,000 miles.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery and charging system have been checked and whether any related software updates were applied, and confirm that accessories such as the sunroof, remote start and liftgate operate correctly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The sunroof will not close. When the button is pressed to auto-close the sunroof, the roof begins to close but stops 3-5 inches from full close and then reopens fully. It takes three attempts to auto-close before the system stops auto-close and then you have to hold the close button for it to fully close. I've had this repaired once during warranty but it is happening again.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352483, filed 2020-09, 28,000 miles

   “Whenever enroute the car battery or whatever the issue may be electically would completely shut off locking the steering wheel, rendering the vehicle dead. Even with turning off the car and starting it, the process takes three to four tries. Itll happen randomly sometimes at light intersections, making turns, even on the highway. Its been happening for the past 4 months even after oil change and two battery exchanges. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11323250, filed 2020-05, 39,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Power liftgate module electrical short

   • 166 complaints (12%)
   • median 44,365 mi at 3.8 yrs old (95 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints and recall notices describe water reaching the power liftgate control module and an electrical short in that module, which in the recall description may lead to a vehicle fire whether the ignition is on or off. Owners with liftgate-equipped vehicles describe the liftgate not operating as expected. Not tied to a specific mileage in the sampled complaints; the recalls cover certain build dates.

   Recall 23V338000Recall 15V826000

   What to check: Ask whether the liftgate recalls have been completed, check that the liftgate opens and closes normally, and look for water intrusion or a damp smell in the rear cargo area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated the leather on the dashboard started to loosen on the passenger's side and continued to the driver's side. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352953, filed 2020-09, 10,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied at 3 AM, the contact noticed a loud popping sound outside the contact's window. The contact inspected and noticed the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated the flames were coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the fire spread and damaged the vehicle that was parked beside the contact's vehicle owned by the neighbor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11644579, filed 2025-02, 127,000 miles

Buying note. A used example is worth checking carefully for transmission and PTU symptoms, since these account for the majority of complaints, and for oil consumption on the engine. Confirm which open recalls have actually been completed and ask for service records on the shifter, drivetrain and oil consumption work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.