Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Jeep Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact was informed that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to engage. The vehicle jumped a curb, causing the driver to activate the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The Brake Warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the brake pads were worn. The brake pads were replaced; however, the brake failure warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and test-driven. The contact stated that the brakes failed to engage while the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The dealer engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts store and a diagnostic test was performed and a fault for the brake booster was retrieved. …
The incident happened in a parking lot. Backing out of the parking space, there was a delivery truck parked right behind me. Backing out of my parking space, I hit the bumper of the truck (no damage to the truck). As I pulled back into my parking space the vehicle accelerated very rapidly in a distance of approx. 25 feet; the acceleration seemed "Hell cat" like. Slamming my foot on the brake did not help. The vehicle then hit a brick retaining wall deploying multiple air bags and causing enough vehicle damage that the insurance company declared it totaled. It is amazing that the vehicle hit the brick wall with enough intensity to deploy the air bags and cause considerable front end damage after traveling such a short distance (approx 25 ft). The vehicle is in the insurance company's possession. As such, I do not have access to the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact started the vehicle and became aware that the Auto START/STOP and Parking Brake Failure messages were displayed. The contact drove to work and parked the vehicle. The contact returned to the vehicle and attempted to start the vehicle however, the emergency parking brake was activated and could not be deactivated. The emergency parking brake light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer stated that the parking brake was activated, and the parking brake module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Action Number: PE22009 (Parking Brake) as a possible solution. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake failed to disengage. The contact shifted the vehicle into Service Mode for the vehicle to operate as needed. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound and the contact felt as if the brake pads were rubbing against the rotors. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
While on I95 SB getting ready to exit to 295W the pickup in front of me jammed on his brakes. I hit my brakes, realized I would not stop in time, I pressed harder on the brake and went into a skid and impacted the pickups right rear. Why did the anti skid stop working after applying more pressure? Dealer claims if the brakes were pumped it could have confused the system. ??????
in august 2021 my got a service parking brake warning. took to dealership to make a appointment got more warning on the drive there for traction control,brake warning and check engine. got a appointment for later in week. asked was it OK to drive was told yes it was OK. got in car to leave and every 4 to 6 inches parking brake would lock up. tried a few times to move car but couldn't go any where keep locking brakes up. went inside told service advisor said i would have to leave it with them. called for a ride and while waiting for ride service advisor tried to move car and same thing happened to him. they replaced parking brake module. then in January 2022 left work and got service parking brake warning again then traction control also after a few miles. managed to make it home and called dealership and got a appointment for a few days later. …
E-brake service light came on and couldn't release it, so it had to be towed for a second time in 3 days. The first mechanic released it and said I would be able to drive it until I could get it to the dealership for a possible computer issue that he wouldn't be able to preform. I drove it a total of 9.5 miles after this before it did it again and I had to have it towed. This was very scary to know that the e-brake could just lock up at anytime or anywhere. I could easily get injured or killed if it happened at the wrong time or place. The dealer found that the module was full of water and needed to be replaced. This is my 3rd Jeep in almost 31 years and now I'm not feeling safe with a Jeep anymore. Why hasn't there been a recall when it's a big safety issue? I did get warning lights when it happened the 1st time and did have it towed because it wouldn't disengage no matter what I did. …
I purchased a used 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk in March 2025 for $13,000. Four days later, the transfer case failed while driving, leaving me stranded in traffic and requiring a tow. The dealership replaced the transfer case using a used part, but did not disclose that to me at the time. Roughly four months later, the vehicle failed again, this time grinding gears and failing to shift properly out of Park or into Drive. It began rolling forward while supposedly in Park, and now requires the emergency brake to be engaged at all times to prevent it from moving. This makes the vehicle unsafe to operate or park and creates a serious safety hazard for myself and others. There were no dashboard alerts or warning lights before either failure. The most recent symptoms appeared suddenly in July 2025 and have persisted. …
My car back in June 2025 left me stranded in the turn lane with traffic backing up after the emergency parking brake turned on without warning. I was not able to drive e my car or to release the brake and move my car. I did a thorough review of all possible reasonable switches that could have caused the malfunction. So I tried to turn off all of the warning systems. Once I did this I couldn't drive faster than 5 to 10 mph. I was able to get to a parking lot about 100 ft away. I called a tow truck, spoke with my mechanic at the local dealership. He suggested what I had already done including removing the battery cables. We did all this to no avail. He got the car then took 3 days to get it to release after opening and closing the door 10 times before starting the car again. He said I need a modulator valve. We have been waiting for over 6 months and my car is still waiting for this part. …
on 11/1/25 we were driving our Jeep and it malfunctioned while at a stop light. We heard a loud "clunk" and the car would barely go and if we tried to put in park, it would continue to roll. We were on top of a hill so thankfully we didnt roll back or into traffic. We could not drive the car and had to have it towed since it was not safe to drive. Our Jeep is at an authorized Jeep dealer since 11/3/25 and we were told the issue was a power transfer unit that would be covered on the recall but the part was on backorder until 12/2. Jeep would only cover $50/day for a car rental, so we had to rely on borrowing cars from others. Once 12/2 came, we reached out to the dealership and they said the part ship date was moved to 12/18! This is not a timely manner. …
Brake complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 5% of the model year's 1,337 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › drum › wheel cylinders (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Jeep Cherokee brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, though it has 6 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 2017 Jeep Cherokee brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.