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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 1403 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 434 reports (31% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 16 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 3.2l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 25 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1403 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (434 / 31%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 36 crash / 14 fire / 18 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 15–25 MPG across 16 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Grand Cherokee 2WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 22 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $3,200 / yr
Grand Cherokee 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee SRT8 4WD 6.4L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 19 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Cherokee FWD 3.2L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 24 MPG — $3,300 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 25 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 3.2L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV 2WD 17.4%
SUV 4WD 16.900000000000002%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Jeep Cherokee models.
View complete 2016 Jeep Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Summary of 1403 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
1403
Crash Reports
36
Fire Reports
14
Complaints w/ Injury
18
Total Injuries
26

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 434 complaints (3 crashes)
Engine 122 complaints (1 crash)
Electrical System 69 complaints
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36 complaints (1 crash)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 30 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems & component breakdown (149 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #23V338000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA Campaign #23V302000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #20V343000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Jeep Cherokee recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Jeep Cherokee

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 9 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA records list 1,403 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 434 filings (31% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Jeep Cherokee earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee range from 15 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.