2016 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 636about this part
- Share
- 45%of 1,413 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,578miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 636 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 45% of the 1,413 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,578 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Jeep will be in drive. I will be driving. It will stop and give warning that vehicle needs to be put in park before it can be put in drive. But shifter has been in drive for a while and I had been driving. It will lose power for now reason. Like it is downshifting but my foot is one the gas peddle. Has happened numerous times both issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11337488, filed 2020-07, 65,000 miles“I was home from a short trip to the store when the service shifter warning appeared on the dash. When I arrived home the vehicle would not shift into park and shifter will not go past neutral. Key will not release and is stuck in the on position with no way to remove or turn off ignition. Vehicle is immovable and is a roll off hazard due to being unable to place transmission in park.”
NHTSA complaint #11396925, filed 2021-02, 114,000 miles“Service shifter light has come on for the third time since I purchased the vehicle in 2016. It's been serviced twice and last time I spoke with the dealership, they said this is a very common issue. This needs to be addressed as my vehicle is now out of warranty and I shouldn't be held accountable for the third replacement of a faulty shifter.”
NHTSA complaint #11269599, filed 2019-10, 26,301 miles“'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“My Jeep Cherokee sport 2016 got stuck in a gear and would not shift. The service transmission light came on and the gas pedal would not do anything. It happened 5 times on my way home from a road trip and was very dangerous. The Jeep apparently needs a software update and I believe I shouldn't have to pay for that. The vehicle only has 30k miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11082415, filed 2018-04, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V302000Apr 27, 2023Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2016–2017
- 20V343000Jun 11, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2014–2017
- 16V284000May 11, 2016Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2016
- 16V287000May 11, 2016Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11035316Jul 23, 2026Unable To Clear C1494-07 And C14A9-00 After 45A Recall Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● wiTECH displays a mismatch error after performing recall 45A.
- 11026812Dec 19, 2025Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
- 10248564Sep 16, 2023MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
- 10244403Sep 16, 2023MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
- 10241067Jun 7, 2023Power Transfer Unit (PTU) Broken Input Spline XJ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, a…
- 10241042Jun 7, 2023FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-11 (XJ1) Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2014 - 2017 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 10241041Jun 7, 2023Warranty Bulletin D-23-10 (XJ1) Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2014 - 2017 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 10222964Jan 4, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification W20 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10224601Jan 1, 2022Powertrain Control Module.
- 10230242Jul 10, 2021Customer Satisfaction Notification W84 Powertrain Software Update
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2022 | 29 | 56% |
| 2021 | 103 | 59% |
| 2020 | 199 | 60% |
| 2019 | 832 | 50% |
| 2018 | 296 | 43% |
| 2017 | 650 | 49% |
| 2016 | 636 | 45% |
| 2015 | 1,007 | 56% |
| 2014 | 1,471 | 56% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 | 65 | 16% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 13% |
| 1995 | 43 | 7% |
| 1994 | 38 | 7% |
| 1993 | 44 | 11% |
| 1992 | 15 | 13% |
| 1991 | 13 | 6% |
| 1990 | 17 | 6% |
| 1989 | 9 | 5% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
316 complaintsEngine
314 complaintsElectrical system
298 complaintsBrakes
103 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsElectronic stability control
30 complaintsForward collision avoidance
29 complaintsSuspension
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology