10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,553 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #79

Apr 012024

Cherokee

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as having an electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the next day while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes started to fail. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not able to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #78

Mar 182024

Cherokee

  • miles
driver panel told me to repair park brake. at times when I put my car in park the park brake would activate and I was unable to move my vehicle. the parking brake activated automatically when I put my car in park. My mechanic said the parking brake module needed to be replace due to a leak in the rear door and getting to the parking brake module. I do have an invoice if needed. Just not able to upload to this form.

- Sag Harbor, NY, USA

problem #77

Feb 212024

Cherokee

  • miles
I had no warnings at all, had driven the vehicle just an hour prior, I go to get in vehicle and start it, I put the gear in drive and the dash board lights up saying service transmission, service brakes, "D" on dashboard blinking, engine light on, when I try and drive forward the vehicle does not move and says to put the car in "P" at "0" mph, when I did that the car starts to roll. The emergency break light is also lit up on dash board and unable to turn it on or off pressing button. I have to turn vehicle completely off to stop it from rolling. When pressing on brake the brake is completely locked up and unable to push it down. The 4WD light is also lit up on dashboard. It also made a loud bang jolt when put in Drive or Reverse. Then put in Park and begins to roll. My safety and others safety is put at risk because of no warning signs of having issues then unable to stop the vehicle from rolling could have caused my vehicle to roll into another car, home or even a person walking by. I am unable to leave my home or drive. I see online this has happened to thousand of other people even when there car was new and they were driving. This could've been so dangerous if I were on the road driving when it happened. Now I am stuck and cannot leave my home. I have had battery disconnected and reconnected and nothing helped. This appears to be an ongoing issue with this vehicle and needs to be recalled and fixed. I had no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to this happening. A/C went out on this vehicle at only 20k miles, had the whole thing replaced. Then started intermittently working on and off. Summer 2023 Had last recall fixed end of 2022 when engine light came on, dealership said it was an engine thermostat that dealership fixed under extended warranty and said they also did a recall fix.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #76

Feb 032024

Cherokee

  • miles
In 2020, Fiat Chrysler America recalled 67,248 units of the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee in the United States over a transmission issue that could result in a loss of power or rollaway situation. I'm currently experiencing this problem now. So I have a message stating service transmission and service break system.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #75

Aug 102023

Cherokee

  • miles
My parking brake suddenly turned on and my jeeps information center on the dash informed me to stop and shift to park. The light on the switch for the emergency brake flashes as well as the red light on the shifter and the vehicle would not shift anymore nor would the epb turn off. I had to disconnect my battery for about 30 minutes before it allowed me to disengage the parking brake and start to drive again. It happened again once or twice before it completely just stopped engaging even when I tried to engage it. Car states when attempting to engage the parking brake that the parking brake needs to be maintained the light on the switch flashes and a warning light stays on now. The odometer started flashing a day or so after the initial issue began. Now I am unable to use my parking break at all, the warning light and message to get parking brake serviced show constantly as well and the odometer continues to flash.

- Glendale , AZ, USA

problem #74

Dec 172023

Cherokee

  • miles
The vehicle constantly loses power no matter the repairs I-??ve came to notice it starts this during winter season

- Freeport , IL, USA

problem #73

Nov 032023

Cherokee

  • miles
Park brake service warning is flashing on. This is also engaging the park brake and unable to disengage it.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #72

Oct 232023

Cherokee

  • miles
My emergency brake is automatically engaging randomly. I was at a red light and it engaged and my vehicle would not move while in Drive. I had to shift to park and back to drive in the middle of traffic.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #71

Oct 052023

Cherokee

  • miles
Was driving and my parking break engaged on its on for several seconds and then disengaged on its own.

- Vernon Center, MN, USA

problem #70

Oct 012023

Cherokee

  • miles
In the last 6 months my electronic parking brake engaged and it would not disengage. Towed it to the dealership twice. The second time it froze in a parking lot and I blocked a parked car for over an hour. Additionally, there were multiple times my Jeep lost total power while driving. Made a left into my neighborhood and was almost broadsided. Not good at all. As I type this has been towed to the dealership. DANGEROUS.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #69

Sep 252023

Cherokee

  • miles
After making a left turn and giving it gas to get up the road the car suddenly stalled and had to come to a complete stop. Almost as if the car had went into park but it was still in drive. Service transmission message came on board and check engine light. Had to have a rollback come to tow home. Car is still not operable. I-??m about to contact Jeep. I did read online about the investigation for 2015-2022 jeep Cherokee. The electronic brake malfunction because of corrosion due to water leak

- Richfield, NC, USA

problem #68

Aug 222023

Cherokee

  • miles
Emergency brake will not disengage and is effecting braking and driving. It has been inspected but 2 different mechanics who have been unable to resolve issue. This has ruined my brakes and has made the vehicle difficult to drive.

- Crawfordvile Rd, FL, USA

problem #67

Aug 132023

Cherokee

  • miles
the parking brake has engaged several times at low speeds in parking lots, comes on when turn the vehicle on, and when placed into park. not sure if it will do it during high speeds, at the shop now. it happened during the Power Transfer Unit failed and should be looked at as a part affected by that. We had no issues until the PTU failed, and the parking brake started coming on when we put the vehicle into park, then would do it, the last time, the parking brake must have been instructed by the ptu to engage while the vehicle was in motion or shorted from a electrical surge from the ptu. the dealer doesn't think they are related, but i disagree. the service transmission, service 4wd, system unavailable, check engine light, abs, traction control, brake light, all came on and the parking brake engaged while pulling out into traffic, i got it to the next drive while dragging the rear tires, i was going about 20-25 mph.

- Rector, AR, USA

problem #66

Sep 162023

Cherokee

  • miles
I purchased my car brand new in 2016. I did not drive the vehicle often since working in NYC and parking was impossible. Then we had the Pandemic in 2020-current and I have been working from home for the last 2 years and 8 months. The car had been in an indoor garage and occasionally I would take the car for a ride and then the car wash. I took very good care of the vehicle. On September 11, 2023, I had to meet a client in White Plains, NY and decided to drive. When I got to White Plains, NY I entered the garage and parked the car. Immediately, the brake light came on with two yellow lights. Then I was unable to reverse the car and/or go forward. Since I was already in a parking spot, I left the car in it's position and thought that I would take care of it when I return. When I returned the Emergency Brake Light was blinking and I was unable to move forward and/or backwards. The brakes were engaged so I kept pressing the Emergency Brake hoping that the brakes would disengage. After about 45 minutes turning the car on then off and pressing the Emergency Brake the brakes disengaged and I was able to move the car. The next day I mentioned the problem to my Dad (who is a mechanic and engineer) and he came to my house to inspect the car. When he opened the back compartment of the vehicle it was filled with water. My Dad tested the brakes and again the brakes were engaged and the vehicle would not go forward and/or in the reverse. The brakes would not disengage. My Dad had to tow the car to a Mechanic Shop to have them remove all the parts in the back. The Mechanics inspected the vehicle and found water leak on rear trunk of car which affected the E-brake module. Disassembly in the rear of the car was performed in order to dry the water which they say entered through sunroof of vehicle. This has been a mind blowing experience and the worse part is that the Manufacturer (FCA) states they cannot help me. This is really evil and wicked with Jeep Cherokee.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #65

Jul 132023

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving my jeep the service park brake light came on and shortly after the park break automatically engaged and brought me to a stop, it has been in the shop 4 different times for this same issue and they can-??t get it fixed, I get it back and it just continues to happen over and over, this is a huge safety issue and I would like there to be a fix for

- East Wenatchee, WA, USA

problem #64

Jul 282023

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle had been running fine.Then coming home from work Friday came up to a yield sign went to press on gas heard a noise then car drifted to a stop wouldn't move in drive or reverse was able to drift to side of the road. Was a lot of traffic driving by wasn't able to inspect the car. Called for a tow truck they got my car on a flatbed and took vehicle to dealership were I bought vehicle. They looked at jeep next day said it needs a new transmission. I've read about a lot of people having issues with the zf 9 speed transmission. If this were to happen on a highway someone could be killed or seriously injured. Chrysler, jeep have been having problems since 2014-15 with the 9 speed transmission they were supposed to have fixed the problems in 2016 but sounds like there fix was unsuccessful. Thank you

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #63

Jul 152023

Cherokee

  • miles
Parking brake electronic module experienced water corrosion, automatically engaged right electronic parking brake & brake would not release. This issue has been reported on the same makes/models as my vehicle and a recall was issued- my VIN is not covered in the recall, though it-??s apparent it should be. This is a dangerous issue as the water corrosion caused the parking brake to automatically engage with no solution for releasing due to the water damage.

- Vinton , VA, USA

problem #62

Jul 092023

Cherokee

  • miles
I was sitting in park waiting to pump gas and when it was my time to pull forward, I shifted into drive and when I pushed the gas pedal my emergency break was on without me turning it on. About 30 minutes later this happened again. I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on and when I did, the emergency break came on. I am concerned that the emergency break will engage again when put into drive without me knowing.

- Ward, AR, USA

problem #61

Jul 042023

Cherokee

  • miles
Driving down the road the emergency brake engaged and the car stopped. If there had been a car behind me, this would have created an accident, especially if I had been on the highway. I have read that others have had this problem and there is class action suit.

- Southborough, MA, USA

problem #60

Jun 232023

Cherokee

  • miles
My electronic parking brake malfunctioned AGAIN. The vehicle was parked and turned off without activating the parking brake. When I returned to the vehicle and restarted it the parking brake was engaged and would not turn off. In addition, the red -??brake-?? light, and yellow electronic park brake warning light on the dashboard appeared; the odometer was flashing. After several attempts putting the vehicle in D and then R, in effect -??rocking it-??, the parking brake did disengage. All of the lights remained on. Each time the car was placed back into -??park-?? the parking brake would re-engage, and I needed to go back through the same process to disengage the parking brake.-?? About the third time, the Parking Brake permanently engaged and could not be disengaged by any means. The car is at the dealer to have the Brake Module replaced for the 3rd time, ALL due to water intrusion. Water is getting in the electrical systems. There-??s a recall for a minor water intrusion issue on the lift gate! This is the SAME issue. Please issue a recall before someone is seriously injured or killed. This brake could engage at any moment and easily cause a collision.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »