2017 Jeep Cherokee: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
On the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, the failure owners report most often is other powertrain problem, and the reports cluster around 42,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other brake problem, reported by a median of 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 76 out of 100, severe risk for a 2017.
Severe risk for a 2017 — 83rd riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. 1,931 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee
Owners have reported 76 named failure modes on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, and the three most-reported carry 45% of everything filed.
Other powertrain problem leads with 453 reports, about 6.2 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 25k to 63,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 244 reports, usually reported between 28k to 50,000 miles. 3 of those reports mention a fire.
Other engine problem follows with 178 reports, usually reported between 24k to 54,000 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.
By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (476), electrical (349) and engine (324).
When these failures get reported
1,166 of the reports on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 40,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 65% by 50,000 miles, 94% by 100,000 miles and 99% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 9 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 40,000 and 50,000 miles, which alone holds 17% of the dated reports.
42% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
In the order they tend to show up: other brake problem around 22k, no-start or intermittent start failure around 23k, excessive oil consumption around 30k and cruise control failure around 30k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 76. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 9 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 28 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 15 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.58, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and parking brake failure at $250–$1,300. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
44% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 453 | 301 | 25k | 42k | 63k | 6.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 244 | 144 | 28k | 40k | 50k | 3.3 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 178 | 112 | 24k | 41k | 54k | 2.4 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 73 | 29 | 19k | 39k | 65k | 1.0 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 56 | 41 | 25k | 41k | 51k | 0.8 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 47 | 30 | 6k | 23k | 40k | 0.6 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 42 | 32 | 35k | 48k | 57k | 0.6 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 41 | 24 | 16k | 40k | 56k | 0.6 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 36 | 32 | 23k | 30k | 57k | 0.5 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 35 | 17 | 15k | 31k | 47k | 0.5 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 29 | 16 | 30k | 38k | 44k | 0.4 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 27 | 17 | 21k | 30k | 34k | 0.4 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 26 | 10 | 31k | 52k | 74k | 0.4 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 25 | 11 | 18k | 67k | 86k | 0.3 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 21 | 13 | 39k | 50k | 54k | 0.3 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 18 | 9 | 15k | 22k | 45k | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 15 | 6 | — | 25k | — | 0.2 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 15 | 6 | — | 28k | — | 0.2 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 15 | 7 | — | 50k | — | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 14 | 6 | — | 26k | — | 0.2 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 14 | 10 | 45k | 47k | 49k | 0.2 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 14 | 9 | 28k | 41k | 49k | 0.2 | $200–$900 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 10 | 5 | — | 49k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 10 | 3 | — | 47k | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 10 | 4 | — | 22k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 9 | 7 | — | 29k | — | 0.1 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 9 | 2 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 8 | 5 | — | 32k | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 7 | 7 | — | 24k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 7 | 5 | — | 23k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 7 | 3 | — | 210k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 7 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.1 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 7 | 5 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 6 | 6 | — | 15k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 6 | 4 | — | 42k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 6 | 5 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Head gasket failure | engine | 5 | 1 | — | 130k | — | 0.1 | $1,400–$4,000 | Critical |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 5 | 4 | — | 88k | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 5 | 4 | — | 26k | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 5 | 5 | — | 50k | — | 0.1 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 4 | 1 | — | 130k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 4 | 3 | — | 45k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 3 | 2 | — | 27k | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Transmission slipping | transmission | 3 | 1 | — | 17k | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$5,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 3 | 1 | — | 120k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 3 | 2 | — | 47k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 3 | 3 | — | 37k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 2 | 1 | — | 25k | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 2 | 1 | — | 97k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 21k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Alignment fault and uneven tire wear | suspension | 2 | 2 | — | 7k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 2 | 2 | — | 32k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 1 | — | 900 | — | 0.0 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 2 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Wiper or washer failure | glass | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $120–$800 | Moderate |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Oil leak | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 38k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 88k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Manual clutch or hydraulics failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 11k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Parasitic battery drain | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Parking sensor failure | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 6k | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Low |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 600 | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 1 | 1 | — | 22k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 295 | 179 | 25k | 40k | 54k | 4.0 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee draws about 26 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 95th percentile of complaint rates among 2017 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 72,964 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2017 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other powertrain problem
This vehicle often has a significant delay when shifting from reverse to drive. It just sits there without revving or stalling despite depressing the accelerator. After 1-3 seconds the jeep will "rocket" forward. It will sometimes do this again immediately after taking off. In addition to this slowing down to turn a corner will cause the same results. Though dangerous, the reverse to drive is much more disturbing and my family fears driving it. This is the only problem I have experienced like this in my driving history. A "fix" was done a month ago but no change. It's in the shop again but the techs say it's fine and find nothing wrong. 6-12-2017
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 jeep cherokee. While the contact's spouse was driving 65 MPH, the service shifter warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and then shifted into park independently. The vehicle became uncontrollable, spun around several times, and crashed into a tractor trailer. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact's spouse sustained a bruised knee and a concussion, but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The vehicle was destroyed.updated 09/19/17 *bf updated 10/23/17 *bf updated11/16/17 *bf *js *tr
Other electrical problem
New 2017 jeep cherokee has completely and randomly shut off/shut down while driving three times. Extremely dangerous failure mode! Vehicle has less than 2000 miles and is less than 3 months old. First instance: april 27, 2017. Daughter driving. Going up a hill on city road at approximately 45mph. Vehicle just died. Almost rear-ended. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Second instance: april 28, 2017. Owner driving. On interstate 376 going 65mph. Vehicle just died. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Third instance: april 29, 2017. Owner driving. State road going 40mph. Vehicle just died. Noticed a "ding" sound just before it died. Almost rear-ended. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Took car to dealer - preston motors in new castle, pa. Explained situation. Told them "we could have died!" they claim they know of no similar issues or reports of this problem. I presented them with printouts of the numerous similar complaints for 2016 models on NHTSA website. Dealer is currently investigating and guesses (does not know) it may be a problem with the starter button (not the stop/start button)…
I was stopped at the red light, my foot on the brake and vehicle gear in d, I felt my vehicle is reversing (moving backwards), I thought my vehicle gear was in r and foot on gas padel but that was not the case, I double checked to make sure the vehicle gear was in d and foot on the brake pedal, I put my vehicle in park (p) to make sure it stops and then when light turned green, I put it in drive (d) and started driving. In all that bizzareness, I felt I missed a green light as well. I thought may be the vehicle besides me started driving and it was my vision which made me think that my vehicle moved backwards but I am a long time driver and something like that never happened with me before. I was completely shaken up, thinking that luckily no vehicle was behind me during all that time. I also noticed that my vehicle was at least one vehicle space behind the stoppage line when I started driving again. This strengthened my belief that my vehicle moved backwards.
Other engine problem
Stop/start feature danger: I was making a left turn, pulling out from a driveway in heavy cross traffic. I was pulling onto a four lane road. Just as I started to lift my foot from the brake, the stop/start feature shut the engine off. There was a full two seconds before the engine started. The cross traffic had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting me. Normally when the engine the re-start delay is small, but because the engine was shutting off as I took my foot off the brake, this added a significant delay before the engine restarted and was able to accelerate. This is only an issue if the engine happens to shut off right at the moment you intend to pull out into traffic.
New 2017 jeep cherokee has completely and randomly shut off/shut down while driving three times. Extremely dangerous failure mode! Vehicle has less than 2000 miles and is less than 3 months old. First instance: april 27, 2017. Daughter driving. Going up a hill on city road at approximately 45mph. Vehicle just died. Almost rear-ended. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Second instance: april 28, 2017. Owner driving. On interstate 376 going 65mph. Vehicle just died. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Third instance: april 29, 2017. Owner driving. State road going 40mph. Vehicle just died. Noticed a "ding" sound just before it died. Almost rear-ended. Pulled over. Put it in park. Vehicle restarted. Took car to dealer - preston motors in new castle, pa. Explained situation. Told them "we could have died!" they claim they know of no similar issues or reports of this problem. I presented them with printouts of the numerous similar complaints for 2016 models on NHTSA website. Dealer is currently investigating and guesses (does not know) it may be a problem with the starter button (not the stop/start button)…
Recalls on the 2017 model year
NHTSA has issued 6 recall campaigns covering the 2017 Jeep Cherokee, affecting an estimated 135,018 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover power train, power train:automatic transmission and electrical system:wiring. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
POWER TRAIN
63,130 vehicles 2025-04-29- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
- Consequence
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
25,980 vehicles 2023-04-27- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- 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. FCA's number for this recall is 45A. This recall expands previous recall number 20V-343.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
67,248 vehicles 2020-06-11- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- 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. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
4,815,661 vehicles 2018-05-17- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
WHEELS:RIM
22,242 vehicles 2017-08-31- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Consequence
- The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
88 vehicles 2016-11-02- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016. Improper welds on the driver's knee air bag inflator may prevent the air bag from properly inflating.
- Consequence
- If the driver's knee air bag does not properly inflate, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2017 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2017 compares with the other years
Severe risk for a 2017 — 83rd riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 16 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1997 comes out best at 63 and 2019 worst at 83, with 2017 itself at 76.
If the model year is negotiable, 1997, 2006, 1999, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2022 score lower than 2017 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2014–2018 generation specifically, 2017 is the strongest year at 76 and 2015 the weakest at 81.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2014-2018 generation, 2017 Jeep Cherokee scores best at 76 and 2015 Jeep Cherokee worst at 81.
What to look at before buying one
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: no-start or intermittent start failure from about 6k, other steering problem from about 15k, other brake problem from about 15k and other speed control problem from about 16k.
On a 2017 Jeep Cherokee with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether no-start or intermittent start failure has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
The limits of complaint data
1,931 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 1,931 reports, 1,166 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 60% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Cherokee?
The most-reported failures are other powertrain problem (453 reports, median 42,000 miles), other electrical problem (244 reports, median 40,000 miles) and other engine problem (178 reports, median 41,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Other brake problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 20,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 15,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 40,000 miles.
Is the 2017 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
It scores 76 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 83rd riskiest of the 263 2017 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2017 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Jeep Cherokee is best?
Within the 2014–2018 generation, 2017 scores best at 76 out of 100 and 2015 worst at 81. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed