The parking brake has engaged on it's own 4 times. Twice while I was driving and twice while I was parked in my driveway with car started and attempting to leave. When parked it will not let me roll. When driving the vehicle shimmies and acts like it has serious problems like the wheel is about to fall off. One time there was a yellow exclamation point as a warning light as it was having the issue. The other time there were no warning lights. I never use my parking brake. It came on when I was about a mile down the road. I believe the first 2 times were in March. The last 2 were in May 2026
2016 Jeep Cherokee brakes problems
103 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 42,600. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 103
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 42,600
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Jeep Cherokee brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-009 after having received 80 complaints on model years 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees alleging the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) inadvertently activated while the vehicle was in motion.During this investigation, the subject vehicles were updated to include only Model Years (MY) 2014-2016, while MY 2017-2020 were considered peers.Based on related repair invoices, ODI believed the EPB module was damaged by water leaking into the vehicle. When the EPB inadvertently activates, it can cause a stalling condition bringing the vehicle to a stop. ODI was aware of recall 15V‑393 that addresses water ingress affecting the power liftgate module on nearly the same population of vehicles subject of this investigation. The liftgate module can potentially catch fire as a result of the water damage. Both the liftgate and EPB modules are located in a similar area of the vehicle.  On May 11, 2016, the manufacturer released a Technical Service Bulleting (ODI #10191415, FCA #08-060-16) that instructs dealers on replacing the EPB module and inspecting the electrical connector for corrosion if a customer describes having the EPB not releasing.  This Preliminary Evaluation was opened to assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. On September 8th, 2022, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee and Peer 2017-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. FCA Provided its full response on October 27th, 2022 after ODI granted a one-week extension. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to the federal safety agencyâs Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of all available information, ODI has identified evidence supporting a total of 1,655 subject vehicles that likely experienced a failure of the subject EPB. Within the subject vehicle complaints, ODI identified the 2014 Model Year (MY) Jeep Cherokee as having the highest rate of failure, while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2014 Jeep Cherokees that likely experienced a failure of the subject EPB represent an incident rate of approximately 0.58%. The average Time In Service (TIS) at failure was 2.6 years and the oldest failure occurred at 8.5 years in service. The 2014 population of vehicles is at 9 years in service. All other MY Jeep Cherokee vehicles (both subject and peer) within this investigation had significantly lower failure rates than the 2014 MY Jeep Cherokee. ODI has reviewed all the information available at this time, and identified four allegations of a crash, three allegations of injuries, and one allegation of a fire.Two of the crash allegations alleged injuries, and the alleged injuries were minor severity.All of the alleged injuries appeared to be consistent with hard braking and did not need medical attention. There was no supporting information that demonstrated a fire had occurred on the vehicle. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, stating that it does not believe the alleged defect poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.  FCA states the majority of incidents involving the EPB inadvertently activating occurred while the vehicle was stationary and that a small number of incidents occurred while the vehicle was backing up or at low speeds. This is consistent with ODIâs observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI, this investigation will be closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. the federal safety agency reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE22009
What 2016 Jeep Cherokee owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was stopped at a traffic light and when it tire we green I was unable to drive as the emergency brake was holding the vehicle. I was unable to release it. Car would not go forward or backwards. Finally was able to drive after disconnecting battery for a few minutes. Drive directly to repair station. They changed the e brake switch, and the motor on one side of rear brake and the caliper also. Was working for less than one day and I am still experiencing the problem. The service brake light is still on dashboard.
The parking brake will sometimes activate while driving the vehicle, I happens twice driving loosing control of the vehicle.
Driving on freeway October of 2025 and PTU failed causing loss of power and electronic emergency brake engagement. There were no previous indications or warnings with vehicle prior to total loss of propulsion. Vehicle is at jeep dealership in Gaylord Michigan not repaired. Fortunate there was shoulder on right I was able to swerve into and stopped without collision as vehicles sped by at high rates of speed. Towed to dealership where purchased, Serra Ford Gaylord Michigan in August 2025, diagnostics revealed PTU failure. Serra Ford advised could not perform warranty repairs as not jeep dealership. Towed to jeep dealership, Snethcamp Jeep Gaylord Michigan, who advised not warrantied in United States as Canadian vehicle. Snethcamp Jeep diagnosed PTU failure. FCA Canada denied claim 94684480 and advised vehicle not registered to Canadian citizen. Chrysler Customer Service US denied claim 94727687 and advised this is a Canadian vehicle. Recall was performed on PTU, recall number 45A, April 24, 2025. Ordered replacement OEM parts through Snethcamp Jeep and was advised 400 units on back order with no replacement parts in stock and wait would be approximately four months.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake switch was released, however the parking brake failed to release as intended. The contact stated that after several attempts, the parking brake was released. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed park brake switch. The contact was informed that the parking brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
When at idle at a stop sign or stop light the parking brake will engage. I have to put my jeep in park and then turn the jeep off and back on a few times to disengage the parking brake. This has occurred multiple times.
Went to go to the grocery store and the Electronic Park Brake was engaged. Had it reset, went to the grocery store and it was re-engaged. Had it towed to dealer, upon diagnosis, corrosion was found at EPB module and connector pin. Declined repair and had it towed back home due to dealership quoting almost three thousand dollars for parts and repair. Upon later research, found that there is a known issue with water intrusion in this area that caused this and that there is a class action lawsuit due to almost 1.3 million vehicles affected by this and has been known about for almost 5 years. Dealership claims sunroof does leak but there has never been evidence of a leak from that area.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be depressed while standing almost up. In addition, the electronic brake failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake booster failure. The contact was informed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated the failure had occurred three times, and the brake booster was replaced after each failure. In addition, the contact stated that on two occasions, the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V572000 (Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 74,407.
On or about [XXX] on Tuesday [XXX] my parking brake automatically engaged itself. With the help of a friend, pulled fuse and emergency brake was disengaged and I got to drive home. Two days later, same issue, now this time tried same remedy and it did NOT work. So now I’m stranded 30 miles from home with my dog. Call tow truck, tow vehicle to dealer, dealer said water had something to do with module activated emergency brake. I’m without vehicle for days while they locate module and have a guy who comes in once a week to find out where water is coming from. I’ve read at least 80 complaints on the issue today. Isn’t Chrysler gonna do anything about this problem? Sad, broke and car less! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Parking brake module and connector got major water damage. My mechanic found over four gallons of water under my spare tire compartment. After inspecting it he found the module and wires fried. While driving my parking brake light came on and by time I parked my parking brake would not disengage. Check engine light, parking brake light, and traction control light. My vehicle is currently with my mechanic and currently being looked at. He is still trying to find parts and find the cause of the water leak. This was a very dangerous situation that could have caused a major accident.
Questions about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee brakes
Does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 103 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Cherokee brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 42,600 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Jeep Cherokee have bad brakes?
The Jeep Cherokee model years with the most brakes complaints are 2014 (211 complaints), 1991 (163 complaints) and 1990 (152 complaints).
Other 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems
Transmission 638Engine 321Electrical 298Acceleration 76Driver assistance 60Steering 54Fuel system 45Body 33Airbags 31Suspension 21Lights 20Wheels 17Visibility 13Seats 5Seat belts 3Tires 2Locks 1
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