MYRModel Year Report

2016 Jeep Cherokee

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Jeep Cherokee
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,408
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1990 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2016: 1,408 complaints 2016 1,408 2017: 1,334 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,642 complaints 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 275 complaints 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1995: 610 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2001: 229 complaints 2001 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2016: 1,408 complaints 2016 1,408 2017: 1,334 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2018 2019: 1,642 complaints 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1984 1985: 17 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1986 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 98 complaints 1988 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 275 complaints 1990 1991: 234 complaints 1992: 114 complaints 1992 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 522 complaints 1994 1995: 610 complaints 1996: 447 complaints 1996 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1998 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2006 2014: 2,648 complaints 2015: 1,787 complaints 2016: 1,408 complaints 2016 1,408 2017: 1,334 complaints 2018: 685 complaints 2019: 1,642 complaints 2019 2020: 307 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 49 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2023 2026: 7 complaints

2016: 1,408 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19820
19830
19847
198517
198621
198757
198898
1989191
1990275
1991234
1992114
1993418
1994522
1995610
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
200617
20142,648
20151,787
20161,408
20171,334
2018685
20191,642
2020307
2021166
202249
20233
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

45% · 633 reports

Most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive) and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Warning message of 4 Wheel drive overheating and disengaging. a few minutes later a loud pop occurred, and flames overtook the engine and drive train. I pulled off the road and the fire department came and put out the fire. It is a total loss.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-05

*While driving vehicle on highway heard a loud noise and grinding sound and PTU exploded and *was not able to maneuver vehicle properly. *Fluid that was leaking out . Caused fire .

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-26

Tl* the contact rented a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. While in reverse and applying the brakes, the rented vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-22

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Engine

22% · 314 reports
CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

21% · 297 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle show code B0020-13. This is a fault in the wiring system for the airbags. Caused by Jeep engineering being bad. This has nothing to do with how is driven or used and is a massive safety issue and shuts the entire airbag system down.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-16

Also filed under Air bags

Service brakes

7% · 94 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle rolled forward and struck another vehicle. The seat belt failed to lock up as designed. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-18

Also filed under Seat belts

Vehicle speed control

5% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Cruise control would not disengage. Instead it accelerated me to 85 mph is rush hour traffic. The car continued to accelerate will out responding to any commands to turn off cruise control. Second time this has happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-07

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 1,408 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-02-01Electrical system, structure15V826000 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.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-06-30Power train16V284000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2016-06-30Power train16V287000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-10-03Seats16V590000 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-02-14Equipment17V824000 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-06-04Electrical system, vehicle speed control18V332000 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...

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2020-07-14Power train20V343000 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU).

    Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. I
    2022-07-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-10-29 Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
  11. R
    2023-05-11Power train23V302000 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.

    Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2024-03-01Electrical system, structure23V338000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 633 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 314 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 297 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V826000 · Electrical system, structure
  • Recall 16V284000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V287000 · Power train
  • Recall 16V590000 · Seats
  • Recall 17V824000 · Equipment
  • Recall 18V332000 · Electrical system, vehicle speed control
  • Recall 20V343000 · Power train
  • Recall 23V302000 · Power train
  • Recall 23V338000 · Electrical system, structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.