Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2016-JEEP-CHEROKEE NHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2016 · Jeep

Jeep Cherokee problems

1,393 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 5 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Cherokee?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — keep the link back. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2016-jeep-cherokee/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2016 Jeep Cherokee reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
602 reports · fails ~54,139 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
202 reports · fails ~49,248 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
137 reports · fails ~46,805 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
53 reports · fails ~47,410 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
39 reports · fails ~49,810 mi · avg $450
severe
cruise control
29 reports · fails ~33,506 mi · avg $600
severe
airbags
22 reports · fails ~52,891 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
18 reports · fails ~24,385 mi · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2016 Cherokee's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2016 Cherokee?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Cherokee · electrical
Started hesitating and did it at random times. I had a tune up done and it continued. I thought it was the transmission and took it to the transmission shop and they didn’t find anything wrong with the transmission. Started losing power and hesitation became worse while in…
2016 Cherokee · steering
When driving my 2016 Jeep cherokee the vehicle has died out completely on me in the middle of driving. While driving there is a ding noise followed by a message on my dash board that says put car in park then switch into gear, when I am already in drive and driving then the car…
12/31/2019 · at 45,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292311.0 · see steering pattern →
2016 Cherokee · electrical
Purchased vehicle on 12/14/2015. On 1/25/17, at 17,000 miles the vehicle stalled while driving through an intersection. It was raining heavily and causing a traffic issue. Law enforcement had to be called to re-direct traffic. Since the first stall, the vehicle has been to…
12/31/2018 · at 17,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11164275.0 · see electrical pattern →
2016 Cherokee · powertrain
Service 4wd warning light illuminated. Google search for recall indicated that 2016 Jeep Cherokees had a recall for this problem. However, our specific VIN was not part of recall. When calling the manufacturer, I was advised that if the dealership could verify our vehicle was…
View all 1,393 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2016 Jeep Cherokee? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 23V338000 May 11, 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
severe NHTSA 16V287000 May 11, 2016

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015

A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
severe NHTSA 16V284000 May 11, 2016

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016

A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
View all 5 recalls →

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.6 out of 10 based on 1,393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Steering: 53 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,673–60,000 mi; Brakes: 39 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,690–79,000 mi; Reliability score 5.6/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 602 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,139 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,139 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Jeep Cherokee has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,393 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Jeep/Cherokee. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Jeep. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.