Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in a residential apartment parking lot when the fire occurred. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The Police arrived, however, no report has been filed as of yet. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that both vehicles were towed to a local tow yard. In addition, both vehicles were condemned to total loss. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the message "Shift to Park(P)" was displayed, and several other warning lights were illuminated on the instrument cluster. The failure had occurred while exiting a parking lot and turning left. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and stalled while accelerating and changing lanes. There were no warning lights illuminated immediately, but then several unknown warning lights were illuminated. After the vehicle had stalled, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. During several failures, the headlights and the hazard lights were not functioning as needed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. …
I parked my vehicle at 6pm on February 15th. at 2:45 pm I awoke to a loud explosion outside my bedroom window. There was a very large fire, and it was my car. I was in shock we could only watch from our window as the fire department arrived and put out the fire which was spreading to the carport and mailboxes near my parking spot. It also burned a truck parked next to mine. both cars a total loss. My insurance company sent someone to tow my vehicle, but the tow truck driver refused saying the vehicle was untowable, due to the massive damage. the next day a neighbor informed me that he got the whole incident on video start to finish. 'The video shows my engine igniting while off and had been parked for over 6 hours. In the video you see a small flame start under the hood near the windshield wipers. the flame then grew and grew!!!! until the car was completely engulfed in flames. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the message "4WD/Pull Over" was displayed, and the Low Oil warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact became aware of the warning lights after receiving an oil change. Additionally, the oil level needed to be topped off after driving approximately 3,000 miles. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and it decelerated and stalled. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, waited for several minutes, then made several attempts to restart the vehicle until the power steering functionality returned and was able to drive as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of oil, and that the oil level sensor was inoperable. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut off while driving at various speeds without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle would start up and shut off independently without warning. Additionally, while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably without warning as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and shut off the vehicle. After multiple attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and an independent mechanic and both were unable to diagnose the failure since no warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally with an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #5. The fuel injectors were cleaned, and the spark plugs and filters were replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the contact became aware that there were oil stains on the ground, and the abnormal odor was still coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the plastic oil filter housing seal had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to decelerate. The transmission service and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that as she was making her way to the side of the road, a vehicle from behind almost crashed into the rear. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road and have it restarted. Upon restarting the vehicle the contact was able to continue driving however the contact stated that the acceleration was reduced to approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 111,000.
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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (Power Train). The manufacturer also referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission fluid had mixed with the coolant. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle because she was informed by the mechanic that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle violently began jerking after releasing the accelerator pedal and depressing the brake pedal. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train). The contact called the local dealer, who discussed updating the software. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Engine complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 320 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 23% of the model year's 1,411 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Cherokee engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Cherokee engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.