Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 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 while making a turn, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on two occasions to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear knuckles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear knuckles and knuckle bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure the check engine warning light, PCM warning light, and traction control warning were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the power steering pump and rack and pinion assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic and repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the EPS warning light intermittently illuminated, and the odometer was flashing. The vehicle then lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined, and no error codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
My 2016 Jeep Cheroke with 75,000 miles started to show a yellow 4WD service light. It would come on and off. I brought it to a Jeep service repair center, where it currently sits, and they confirmed the PTU is NO good. Needs to be replaced at a cost of over $3,000. And to make matters worse, I was advised not to drive the Jeep because it is a safety issue! Also, there is a recall out for "certain" Jeep Cherokees, not mine, with the same exact issue! My Jeep Cherokee was manufactured during the time of the recalled Cherokees but it isn't part of this recall at this point?! I do not have $3,000 to repair a failed PTU which is part of a recall but not my jeep "yet," but if I am driving the Jeep and the PTU totally fails, the Jeep will lose power to the wheels and it can cause an accident. Jeep knows this PTU is an issue but won't help. This is a safety issue.
1. Start/stop light always comes on since I purchased the vehicle in 2024 2. Svc 4wd light is always on within the past several months 3. Vehicle System Report indicates 10 items needs attention including the DTCM 4. Receiving error code C1494 for PTU Symptoms: A. Vibrating floor bed at left drivers side foot B. Slipping and sliding in the rear tires. The VIN has been excluded from all safety recalls, but I am experiencing a severe failure of the AWD/4WD. The dealership that I bought it from will not assist me in paying because my car was excluded. I have all the signs of a failed PTU.
The car is constantly overheating because a failure from the computer to start up the fan causing other issues with the coolant. Like bursting all the hoses and causing coolant leaks. Additionally a service shifter message came up on my screen and all the gears (p,r,n,d,l) light up with a red dot. This happens while I'm driving. I never know when the car is just going to stop or over heat in traffic because sometimes the fan starts and sometimes it doesn't.
My vehicle continues to sporadically lose power steering, power and braking. "4wd temporarily disabled" light keeps coming on but then goes off. I have taken to dealer and they say it doesn't throw a code and there is nothing they can do. It's a safety issue. Other Jeep Cherokee years and models keep getting recalled but not mine. Mine needs to be recalled. Very dangerous.has been happening increasingly more often in last two months.
Driving my vehicle back home for a local store 1.5 mi from my house and the off road warning light came on and then the steering wheel turned left while I was driving on a straight away. Managed to get to my driveway but looks like the right front wheel has detached from the truck altogether and won't move. Could not get my truck no further than the edge of my driveway. It should not be coming apart like a puzzle.
The Power Control Unit of the full time four drive unit is defective and has caused warning lights that made the car unsafe to drive. There is current safety recall by NHTSA 20V343 that applies to 2014-2017 jeep Cherokee that applies to my car but does not shows up on the Jeep data base. Please advise. Thank you
Steering complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 1,411 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Cherokee steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.