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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1403 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (434 / 31%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 36 crash / 14 fire / 18 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–25 MPG (16 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| 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.
| 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 →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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) →
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.
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.
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) →