2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems

87 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee to NHTSA — 24% of all 364 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 35,000 miles. That ranks #17 of 32 Grand Cherokee model years for electrical complaints (a typical year has 112). One related recall has been issued.

87complaints
35ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
3fires
1injuries

Which parts fail

  • Ignition
    1
  • Horn
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1232%
  • 25k–50k
    1539%
  • 50k–75k
    616%
  • 75k–100k
    38%
  • 100k–150k
    25%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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

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

Not sure what component caused the vehicle to burst into flames. It is no longer (to the best of my knowledge) available for inspection (unless still at tow yard). The Jeep burned, caught another vehicle in the driveway on fire, as well as fence separating neighbor's house, and spread to structure (my house). Vehicle was inspected by ins. reps/others. It was taped off as battery was still live. Fire report states vehicle fire. Car was parked in driveway and was not driven for two days. No prior warnings or recalls.

Feb 2025 · fire · 1 injury

It was cold out and my sister was driving my car with the heated seats on when she started to smell fire as well as her back got really hot. She pulled over and leaned forward and discovered a flame/fire coming through the seat back. She burned my hand and had visible ash on it trying to put the fire out. There is now a hole in the seat back from where the fire burned through.

Jan 2026 · fire

Driving down highway at 75 then the warning light for the start/stop function lights up, the jeep then starts cutting out and sounding really rough, speed immediately drops down to the 40"s this is on a major roadway luckily there were no cars behind me because they probably would had ran into me due to speed dropping that quickly thought I had a flat due to the sound pulled over as quickly as I could got out checked everything did not see anything wrong no fluid leaking, no smoke ect..get back in the vehicle go to proceed to get back up on the road and the vehicle is running really rough and jerky will not go above 40 engine light then comes on along with warning bells, pull back over on side of road turn vehicle off let it set for about 5 min. …

Jun 2022

There have been several issues that have occured over the course of the last 3-4 years . Just this winter alone , i have had my 4wd serv needed maintenance , the air conditioning doest get cold the heater doesnt heat up , i have checkee fluids && cleaned necessary components , i have checked all fuses . My vehicle seems to start most of it's issues once the temperature starts to his below 30degrees F . Tthermostat , ABS light had just turned on recently , unable to add gasoline to tank .airbag light for service , changed both batteries but no changes in performance, tire pressure sensor does not read even with correct amoount, parking sensor , rear view camera visibility blurry , driver side window rolls up with down && down for up . Power loss , battery drainage , headlight harness wont allow any bulb to light up , . …

Sep 2022

There are a ton of posts on Reddit showing a bunch of 3.6l jeep owners all having the same issue with the VVT/VVL Solenoid. It seems to be all the same, the truck starts running very rough and like complete [redacted], CEL starts blinking, and then they check the codes coming up and they all seem to be getting codes p0456, p105d & p0302. The misfire is in cylinder 2 and the VVT Solenoid needs to be replaced at not even 70k miles. The bad solenoid caused the jeep to be undriveable. There are a ton of jeep owners who are all having this same EXACT issue with their jeep and yet this isn't a recall?? Jeep obviously made a faulty truck. Please explain HOW THERE ISN'T A RECALL TO FIX THE VVT/VVL SOLENOID IN THESE JEEPS?? Some people are spending thousands to get it fixed at a dealer, which is seriously messed up bc it's one little part and such an easy fix and just getting ripped off. …

Aug 2022

One morning when I turned on my Jeep Grand Cherokee the PRNDL did not light up and the car said "Service Shifter" but the warning would go away after a few seconds. I took the car to a Jeep dealership and after 6 hours they told me the PRNDL needed to be replaced but the car was perfectly safe to drive. I waited 3 weeks for the part to arrive, and was told they'd replace the PRNDL and it would be covered by my extended warranty. I waited 5 hours at the dealership to be told once they replaced the part that the car would not move out of park. I then got a call telling me the entire shifter would need to be replaced and would not be covered under warranty. There was no actual issue with my vehicle before I dropped it off at the dealership. The car was shifting between park, drive, neutral, reverse without any issues. …

May 2021

Hello, I was driving my 2018 jeep grand Cherokee about 2 months ago when out of no where the car turned off as I came to a hill , the radio volume increased all the way and I couldn't control it , the main break locked, the wheel locked and my shifter lock, I started to roll back down the hill and I had to use my e-break. the car acted like it was turned off but it just died , the radio never turned back down until the tow company did something. i took it to jeep and they were super unhelpful , they said it was a starter , so i paid 2000 to replace the starter to no avail. Now the AC/Heat goes on by itself or just doesn't work, the radio will go all the way up and i cant control it. however jeep in Englewood Colorado said there is nothing wrong with the car.. I think there is a safety issue with the start stop /eco mode. …

Jun 2021

Related recalls

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.

Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’264065566084112428555144927753658472474778083737648513861873398474115130179115315
Electrical complaints per model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

NHTSA has 87 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 24% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.