2016 Jeep Cherokee problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 1,406 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, filed between 2015-11-03 and 2026-09-03. The most common problem areas are the power train (629, 45%), engine (314, 22%) and electrical system (297, 21%). Owners reported 37 crashes, 14 fires and 27 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Jeep Cherokee complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 629 | 45% | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| Engine | 314 | 22% | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 313 | 22% | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 297 | 21% | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 92 | 7% | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 76 | 5% | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 53 | 4% | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 3% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 33 | 2% | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Air bags | 31 | 2% | 16 | 0 | 17 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 30 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 29 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 21 | 1% | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 20 | 1% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 17 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Power train: 629 complaints
- 629 complaints of 1,406 (45%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 82 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 7 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- 4 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee; the latest, campaign 23V302000, says: “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.”
Engine: 314 complaints
- 314 complaints of 1,406 (22%) name the engine.
- 71 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes and 4 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee covers this system.
Electrical system: 297 complaints
- 297 complaints of 1,406 (21%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 82 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- 3 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee; the latest, campaign 23V338000, says: “An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.”
Service brakes: 92 complaints
- 92 complaints of 1,406 (7%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 31 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 4 crashes and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 76 complaints
- 76 complaints of 1,406 (5%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- 26 of them also name the power train; owners reported 5 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee covers this system.
Steering: 53 complaints
- 53 complaints of 1,406 (4%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 15 of them also name the engine; owners reported 3 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 95 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2019 | 271 |
| 2020 | 202 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2022 | 94 |
| 2023 | 149 |
| 2024 | 120 |
| 2025 | 108 |
| 2026 | 50 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names CHEROKEE, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Jeep Cherokee recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee's most common problem areas are the power train (629 of 1,406 complaints), engine (314 of 1,406 complaints) and electrical system (297 of 1,406 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA has 1,406 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, including 37 reported crashes and 14 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee's problems?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.