
2017 Jeep CHEROKEE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE has 1918 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 1918. The most common issue is transmission problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle hesitates to accelerate after slowing or stopping. delay is several seconds and posses a serious risk of being struck from behind. this happens intermittently.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.
1918
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
640 complaints- • VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. DELAY IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND POSSES A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY.
- • THE SO CALLED, 9 SPEED TRANSMISSION ISN'T A 9 SPEED. IT NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, HITS 9TH GEAR. THE JEEP SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT HE KNOWS THAT IT WILL NEVER HIT 9TH. ALSO, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY SCARY MOMENT WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO
- • THIS VEHICLE OFTEN HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. IT JUST SITS THERE WITHOUT REVVING OR STALLING DESPITE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER 1-3 SECONDS THE JEEP WILL "ROCKET" FORWARD. IT WILL SOMETIMES DO THIS AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF. IN ADDITION TO THIS S
“VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. DELAY IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND POSSES A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE
Based on 1,166 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
STEERING
BRAKES
WHEELS
TRANSMISSION
OTHER
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.
Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Jeep CHEROKEE Service Intervals
4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2017 CHEROKEE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 1918 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING OR STOPPING. DELAY IS SEVERAL SECONDS AND POSSES A SERIOUS RISK OF BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE GEAR IN D, I FELT MY VEHICLE IS REVERSING (MOVING BACKWARDS), I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE GEAR WAS IN R AND FOOT ON GAS PADEL BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE, I DOUBLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE GEAR WAS IN D AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: NEW 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE HAS COMPLETELY AND RANDOMLY SHUT OFF/SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE MODE! VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD. FIRST INSTANCE: APRIL 27, 2017. DAUGHTER DRIVING. GOING UP A HILL ON CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: STOP/START FEATURE DANGER: I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, PULLING OUT FROM A DRIVEWAY IN HEAVY CROSS TRAFFIC. I WAS PULLING ONTO A FOUR LANE ROAD. JUST AS I STARTED TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE STOP/START FEATURE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THERE WAS A FULL TWO SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED. THE CRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Jeep CHEROKEE — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1918
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 7
- Crash reports
- 22
- Injury reports
- 18
- Segment avg
- 1918
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Jeep CHEROKEE