LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Jeep Cherokee suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 32,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Cherokee | 49 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 32 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 14 |
| 2017 Cherokee (this page) | 13 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 6 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 11 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 5 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 5 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system. Replace only the part deemed failed by the diagnostics performed. Individual parts include: - Compressor - Valve block - Individual hoses - Temp sensor - Shield - Air line clips NOTE: in most situations when a new compressor is needed, the compressor as a separate part is the correct repair, and the assembly would not be required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Front Of Vehicle Lateral Vibration During Low Speed Acceleration This bulletin involves replacing both front half shafts. The customer may describe a lateral wiggle, wobble, shake, shimmy, or shudder type vibration in the vehicle while accelerating at low speeds, typically between 16-32 kph (10-20 mph).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Suspension failures dominate the complaint set, with defective front struts appearing across multiple mileage ranges. One owner replaced a driver-side strut at 14,000 miles under warranty only to have the passenger-side strut fail severely at 31,000 miles. Another owner experienced complete front-end collapse—wheel, hub assembly, axle, and strut—while driving at city speeds with 37,000 miles on the odometer. Owners consistently describe knocking and clunking noises on bumps, front-end shuddering during braking, and rattle sounds, with several citing a pattern of repeated strut replacements needed on this model.
Transmission and Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failures also appear frequently. Owners report crunching noises, loss of traction, inability to accelerate despite throttle input, erratic revving, and complete immobility. One failure at 80,941 miles triggered a recall (NHTSA 25V011000) but repair parts were unavailable. Service Shifter lights activate repeatedly during braking and acceleration, with transmission skipping and hesitation persisting even after dealer repair attempts costing $600 or more.
Owners report chronic electrical instability: check engine lights cycling on and off, climate control working intermittently, and one vehicle requiring four computer replacements. Flat-towing owners discovered the electric power steering remains active during towing, causing severe sway and bouncing; Jeep documented a fix in a 2018 TSB but refused to cover the $520+ installation cost. Shock absorbers leak after recall work in at least one case.
Same Jeep Cherokee suspension reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Defective front struts
Front struts failing prematurely with knocking, clunking, and shuddering. One owner experienced complete front-end collapse while driving.
When: 14,000 to 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: knocking on unpaved roads; severe knocking even on small bumps; front end shudders upon braking; loud clump noise when hitting bumps; rattle sounds; entire front end fell out while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Struts replaced under warranty at 14,000 miles; passenger-side strut replacement attempted at 31,000 miles. Front-end collapse at 37,000 miles involved wheel, hub assembly, axle, and strut replacement. Strut and link replacement at 41,000 miles.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU) and transmission failure
PTU and transmission issues causing loss of power delivery, erratic shaking during acceleration, and complete immobility. One failure linked to a pending recall (NHTSA 25V011000) with unavailable repair parts.
When: Approximately 80,941 miles
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle failed to accelerate as intended; vehicle shaking erratically; crunching/grinding sound; lost traction/control; vehicle moving very slowly despite throttle input; RPM meter revving up and down uncontrollably; transmission not engaging when shifted into gear; rough shifting with unexpected skip; transmission shifting way too often and shifting wonky
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential replacement required. Transmission replacement performed on one vehicle (January 2021). Recall repair parts were unavailable at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 25V011000 (Power Train) issued; parts not available for recall repair. Manufacturer provided no assistance. Recall covers only listed parts.
Flat-tow stability issue (electric power steering)
Vehicle sways severely left and right and bounces uncontrollably when flat towed behind a motor home. Issue traced to electric power steering remaining active during flat tow, requiring a specific kit to isolate steering.
When: During flat-tow operation
Symptoms owners cite: severe swaying left and right; severe bouncing; check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: KL-Flat Tow Kit (P/N 68321424AA) required; cost $132.00 for kit plus $390.00 labor (total over $590.00). Dealership refused to pay for installation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB STAR Online Case #S1823000010, Release Date 03-09-2018, documents the issue and required kit. No recall issued despite TSB being issued one year after vehicle purchase.
Service Shifter malfunction
Service Shifter warning light activates repeatedly, often during braking or acceleration. Transmission skipping, hesitation, and erratic engagement behavior persist even after dealer repair attempts.
When: Since 2020, in some cases continuing to 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Service Shifter light comes on; car skips before completing braking or acceleration tasks; rough skip while braking and gassing; skipping occurs unexpectedly; affects initial acceleration requiring full throttle to gain momentum; car stopped on expressway with Service Shifter and Electrical Throttle Service Control lights
Codes mentioned: Service Shifter, Electrical Throttle Service Control
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair in 2020 costing $600 without resolution. Vehicle continued to malfunction; subsequent dealer inspection found vehicle 'fine.' Issue worsened over time.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Shifter recall mentioned in one complaint but continued to activate after recall fix was performed.
Multiple electrical and computer failures
Persistent electrical gremlins including check engine light cycling on and off, loss of climate control function, and recurring computer failures requiring replacement.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; one vehicle had 4 computer replacements
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light goes off and on; heater and air conditioning works only sometimes; electrical stuff goes in and out all the time; poofs of smoke come out of vents; traction control light on; 4WD system unavailable light; Service All Brake System lights on
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Traction Control, 4WD System Unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Computer replaced 4 times on one vehicle. Battery replaced 4 times on another vehicle. Multiple repair attempts have not resolved ongoing electrical issues.
Shock absorber leakage
Shock absorbers leaking fluid after Service Shifter recall repair was completed.
When: Post-recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: shocks are leaking
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2017 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 suspension problem on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 27,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2017/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.