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…
2016 Jeep Cherokee powertrain problems
moderate 602 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
602
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
6crashes
3fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 602 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 602 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 602 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?
Across the 341 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 27,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Jeep/Cherokee.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.