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 having the same problem as the recall, we could receive assistance. The advice was followed and confirmed, but when calling…
2016 jeep Cherokee powertrain problems
moderate 598 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
598
Recalls
0
Crashes
6
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
SIMILAR TO OTHER JEEP CHEROKEE YEAR MODELS, MY 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, EITHER BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR OR 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS RIDE WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN BACK AND THE CAR BASICALLY STOPS WORKING AND CARS IN BACK OF ME HAVE TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES SO TO NOT RUN INTO ME. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY, WHETHER CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 10 MINUTES OR JUST…
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BACK IN NOVEMBER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER IT. I HAD THEM ORDER THE PART AND THEY KEEP GIVING ME NEW ETA'S ON THE PART. AS OF TODAY THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS SUCH A DEMAND FOR THIS PART THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A NEW ETA OF FEBRUARY 4TH 2021. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES…
I KEEP HAVING 'SERVICE SHIFTER' POP UP WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS. IT ORIGINALLY POPPED UP ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT POPS UP AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN 3 TIMES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. AND THE THIRD TIME THEY CLEANED A CONNECTOR. AFTER ALL THREE…
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER ' ICON WAS ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATOR LIGHTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AFTER REVIEWING WEB SITES THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP CHEROKEES.
APPROX. 68,000 MILES, OWNED FOR 3 YEARS, REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS TURNS TO NEUTRAL AFTER THE FIRST FEW RIGHT TURNS. GEAR SHIFTER AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL AFTER THE CAR'S WARNING SYSTEM READS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND IN MOTION. TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND R…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 jeep Cherokee?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 598 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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