2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Complaints

Better than average54% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age

Owners have filed 364 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 54% fewer than a typical Grand Cherokee model year at the same age, making the 2017 one of the better Grand Cherokee years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (108 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles). 5 recalls cover this model year.

364complaints
5recalls
26crashes
3fires
19injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

  • Engine & cooling~38,000 miles
    10830%
  • 8824%
  • Electrical system~35,000 miles
    8724%
  • Other / not specified~26,000 miles
    7621%
  • 339%
  • Brakes~30,000 miles
    298%
  • 216%
  • Seats~43,000 miles
    205%
  • Steering~33,000 miles
    185%
  • Air bags~35,000 miles
    154%
  • Lights~25,000 miles
    144%
  • Stability & traction control~39,000 miles
    113%
  • Driver assistance~93,000 miles
    113%
  • Body & structure~9,000 miles
    103%
  • Suspension~72,000 miles
    82%
  • Wheels & tires~16,000 miles
    62%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~13,000 miles
    51%
  • Seat belts
    21%
  • Equipment & accessories
    10%

Share of the 364 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’267198939911.0k1.6k1.4k8831.5k7621.3k2.1k1.3k1.1k7341381181.6k1.6k8052.4k1.4k3113648553702414092654012497927
Owner complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (5)

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 23V-411 · Jun 8, 2023 · 80,629 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an…

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023.

Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 22V-406 · Jun 9, 2022 · 138,645 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)

NHTSA recall 20V-699 · Nov 12, 2020 · 28,884 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab…

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 16V-686 · Sep 23, 2016 · 100 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee manufactured August 8, 2016 through August 16, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the rear tow hook bracket or tow eye bracket may be loose.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will confirm both tow hook bracket bolts are properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began on October 31, 2016.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

NHTSA investigation PE19014 · opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…

High pressure fuel pump failure

NHTSA investigation EA23001 · opened Mar 17, 2023 · open · led to recall 24V-957

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

What 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say

Engine & cooling all 108 →

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the driver's side of the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder #3 had misfired and a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a different independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft and both head gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but while in reverse(R), the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after three attempts. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that unstated software needed to be updated and reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired but while stopped at an intersection the vehicle stalled. …

86,000 miles · Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP mode and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle overheated due to the radiator not functioning properly. The check engine and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. There was a burning odor, which was later determined to be caused by mechanics leaving rags in the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

100,000 miles · Feb 2023

Transmission & drivetrain all 88 →

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the power train. The message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shift lever failed to operate as intended. The message "Transmission Overheated" was displayed. The contact waited until the transmission had cooled down and the vehicle was restarted. …

181,000 miles · Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a U-turn at approximately 4 MPH, there was an abnormal sound from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the "Service 4WD" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact received help from a co-worker who checked the vehicle and informed her that the driveshaft had fractured. The contact was able to turn the vehicle off but was unable to shift the vehicle into park(P). The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the driveshaft had fractured due to a failure with the PTU in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. …

130,000 miles · Feb 2025

Electrical system all 87 →

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced unknown electrical failures. Additionally, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and stalled. The contact stated that the instrument panel was flickering, and the speedometer and gauges became inoperable. The contact stated that the windows randomly rolled down and the headlights would flash off and on. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure usually occurred after 30 minutes of driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery and window switch; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

58,000 miles · Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Liftgate Cannot Be Opened While Vehicle Is In Motion" message was displayed. Additionally, there was a burning odor detected after pressing the Auto Start/Stop button to start up the vehicle, with smoke coming from underneath the hood. The power liftgate was intermittently inoperable and also inadvertently opened while parked in the garage. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V338000 (Electrical System, Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

80,000 miles · Jul 2023

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automaticRWD19 / 26 / 21
3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic4WD18 / 25 / 21
5.7L 8-cyl8-speed automaticAWD14 / 22 / 17
6.4L 8-cyl8-speed automaticAWD13 / 19 / 15

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?

Based on 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Grand Cherokee rates better than average: 54% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. It is one of the best Grand Cherokee years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The engine & cooling — 108 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve). Next are the transmission & drivetrain (88) and electrical system (87).

How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from June 8, 2023 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.

At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 68% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.