2016 Jeep Cherokee Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Part of Generation 5 (KL) — 2014–2023.

20152017
Complaints
2,019
per 10K Sold
100.2
US Sales
201,420
Crashes
52
Fires
23
Injuries
31
Fatalities
Recalls
9

Worst 2016 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1605 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:51,066 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:3
#2312 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:44,595 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:4
#3285 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:44,673 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:4
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.

Transmission / Drivetrain
605
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Avg Miles
51,066
Engine Problems
312
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
44,595
Electrical Faults
285
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Avg Miles
44,673
Brakes
91
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
36,371
Unintended Acceleration
75
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
38,039
Steering Defects
51
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
43,363
Fuel System
43
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
41,037
Electronic Stability Control
30
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
37,227
Airbags
28
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
Avg Miles
49,061
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
43,492
Body Structure
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
34,356
Suspension Failures
20
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
39,544
Headlight/Taillight Failures
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
14,076
Wheel Issues
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,757
Wipers & Visibility
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,694
Parking-Brake Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,347
Structural Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,286
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
78,486
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,011
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
23,025
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Firerelated
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Jeep Cherokee

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,138,471 vehicles.

23V338000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk
~132,099 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

23V302000Automatic Transmission
~25,980 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power or loss of park function.

20V343000Power Train:driveline:differential Unit · Automatic Transmission
~67,248 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

17V824000Other Equipment
~61,791 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

16V590000Seats:mid/rear Assembly · Seats
~1,827 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.

16V284000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~1,029 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.

16V287000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~52 affected

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.

15V826000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk
~32,784 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.

Other Jeep Cherokee Years

2016 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2016 Jeep Cherokee has 2,019 NHTSA complaints, 52 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 605 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (605 complaints, avg 51,066 mi); Engine Problems (312 complaints, avg 44,595 mi); Electrical Faults (285 complaints, avg 44,673 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 45,823 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee include 52 crash-related reports, 23 fire reports, 31 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,138,471 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (transmission / drivetrain) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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