Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, he noticed that the temperature gauge was increasing and then it decreased. An engine heater warning was displayed as the engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop as all motive power was lost. The vehicle rolled to a stop crashing into debris on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that there was no body damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that AAA was contacted and stated that they would contact the police however, the police did not show up. The vehicle was towed by AAA to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the AAA driver informed him of a recall that was related to the failure and the vehicle's PTU. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway, powered on, parked, and unattended, it began to roll back and crashed into his other vehicle, a 2017 GMC Sierra. The service shift message was displayed. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or fire. A police report was not filed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who inspected it and determined there was no evidence of a manufacturer defect. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil and the engine was replaced. The contact stated that several years later while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred for a second time soon after restarting the vehicle. The contact drove back to the dealer and the vehicle remained at the dealer for approximately 2 months. Once the vehicle was returned to the contact, the vehicle shut off again; the vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The dealer replaced the power software module and returned that vehicle back to the contact. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately, but responded after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and shuddered, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to JMB Automotive, where the diagnostic trouble code C14A7-97 was retrieved. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train) and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that when the vehicle accelerated, the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed rear differential. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to a failed PTU. The vehicle was then taken to two Chevrolet dealers where the failure was diagnosed as a failed rear differential. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop on a busy bridge, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted to park(P) and exited the vehicle; however, the vehicle started to roll away, almost causing a crash. The contact immediately entered the vehicle and engaged the parking brake. The contact's new-born baby was occupying the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact stated that a Police Officer assisted the contact in blocking traffic and pushing the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed and parked at the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PTU had failed, and the failure was related to the recall. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The battery warning light was illuminated, with the message "Shift to Park or Neutral - "Depress Brake Pedal and Select Gear" displayed. The drive indicator light was blinking, and the battery was red. The vehicle was taken for an oil change, and the messages were no longer displayed; however, the failure recurred months later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the power transfer unit had lost power; the vehicle turned off with the message to shift to park displayed. The contact stated that the failure occurred frequently. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped within 2 miles. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was repaired under an undisclosed recall. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle went into an unknown mode and made abnormal sounds. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. The driver attempted to park the vehicle, but the gear shifter failed to move to park(P). The driver then turned off the vehicle and was able to shift to park(P). The vehicle was then driven to the residence. The vehicle was parked and had not been driven since the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle suddenly seized, causing the vehicle to spin off the road. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to Modern Day Automotive, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The mechanic replaced the part with a refurbished part; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle became drivable. The contact was able to drive to the residence, where the parking brake warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R); the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The dealer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was slowly driven to a parking lot and then towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact previously received information from the manufacturer of an Extended Warranty on the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that since a diagnostic test had not produced two specific fault codes, the vehicle could not be repaired under the Extended Warranty. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. …
Related recalls
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
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…
Remedy: 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…
Transmission complaints in other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA has 649 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, 49% of the model year's 1,337 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-011 (power train, Jan 16, 2025); NHTSA recall 23V-302 (automatic transmission, Apr 27, 2023); NHTSA recall 20V-343 (differential unit, Jun 11, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.