2016 Jeep Cherokee: engine overheating

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

My jeep stalled while attempting to accelerate from a stopped position at a stop light at a busy intersection on or around June/July 2026. The car remained on, the gear shifts were moveable, but the vehicle would not move despite pressing on the gas. I scheduled a tow. After ten minutes, it randomly accelerated about a block before stalling again. This continued about two more times as I tried to get the vehicle out of the middle of the road. The car then overheated and I was able to park it a few blocks away at my mom's house. In August/September 2026, I had the car towed to Complete Automotive, and Corwin Jeep for inspections. Progressive Insurance also inspected the issue and ruled out any residual effects from a 1.25.25 parked car front end hit and run collision. Complete Auto found an empty coolant reservoir, oil and coolant leaks, drive belt issues, PTU code, and warning light indicators; Corwin found PTU code and recommended a transfer case. The exact cause remains unknown. The vehicle has had ongoing hose and overheating issues since the day of purchase in 2018; and has underwent hose and radiator replacements that have not seemed to properly fix the issues surrounding sloshing noises, shuddering, shaking, grinding, intermittent lightening, brake fluid, oil, and coolant leaks, and overheating and engine light. Immediately before the vehicle stalled, there were no warning lamps; those messages indicating overheating lit up while attempting to move myself and the car to safety. The unexpected loss of propulsion presents a serious collision risk, especially in traffic, in rush hour at a busy intersection. The recurring overheating and coolant loss also create risk of sudden failure while driving, which has happened on a busy highway requiring repairs. These problems and safety risks have continued despite substantial repairs and repeated dealership inspections. The vehicle remains inoperable awaiting repairs at the Corwin Jeep Dealership.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · OK · fire

Warning message of 4 Wheel drive overheating and disengaging. a few minutes later a loud pop occurred, and flames overtook the engine and drive train. I pulled off the road and the fire department came and put out the fire. It is a total loss. I believe that this is a safety recall but I was never notified of any repairs needed.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Engine · OK

After purchasing the vehicle, I discovered it had an open FCA recall W90 (Tigershark MultiAir oil consumption/emission system repair). The dealer had not completed this recall prior to selling the vehicle. The vehicle was brought in for the W90 recall, and the repair was reportedly completed last week by a certified dealer. I found recall W90 because the car was overheating and stuttering on starts. The Safter Concern is that the coolant loss and erratic idle may indicate internal gasket or head integrity issues due to engine running hotter than it should, potentially leading to overheating or sudden engine failure while driving. This poses a serious safety risk if the engine fails at speed or stalls in traffic. I ask that the federal safety agency review whether recall W90 adequately addresses known mechanical and emission defects with the 2.4 L Tigershark MultiAir engine, and ensure affected owners receive a verified repair or extended coverage for ongoing engine and coolant-loss failures.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Engine · FL

Subject: Possible Recall Repair Connection to Open Recall U90 I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding my 2016 Jeep Cherokee with the 2.4L engine. I have been experiencing chronic coolant loss for approximately two years. After conducting research, I discovered the open recall, Emissions Recall U90, related to the exhaust manifold, and I suspect that my coolant loss may be connected to this defect. On September 4, 2025, I visited a Jeep dealership in Delray, where I was told that a leaking hose was the cause of my coolant loss, and they recommended replacing it to re-evaluate the leak. However, the following day, September 5, 2025, I sought a second opinion from a dealership located at 3701 Northlake Blvd, Lake Park, FL 33403. Unfortunately, during that visit, I was dismissed by Raheem, the service representative, who referred to me as a "clown" and refused to assist me. In light of these experiences, I sought service at Midas later that same day to address my coolant leak issues. I believe this situation warrants your attention, as it may be indicative of a larger problem related to the open recall. Your guidance on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Jul 6, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · NY

The car is constantly overheating because a failure from the computer to start up the fan causing other issues with the coolant. Like bursting all the hoses and causing coolant leaks. Additionally a service shifter message came up on my screen and all the gears (p,r,n,d,l) light up with a red dot. This happens while I’m driving. I never know when the car is just going to stop or over heat in traffic because sometimes the fan starts and sometimes it doesn’t.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as having an electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the next day while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes started to fail. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not able to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Transmission · OR

At highway speed, transmission disengaged and car was forced to be stopped on road with no shoulder in an attempt to restart and continue to nearest off-ramp. Had no warning lights prior to failure and suddenly said “transmission overheating” when unit failed. Has not been driveable since.

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Visibility · MI

While I was at a stand still at a railroad crossing, the rear windshield shattered independently without impact. I did not see any warning lights prior to the incident. I had called the police department and filed a police report as I did not know what happened at the time. No one was injured nor needed medical attention. I was able to drive the 2 minutes home. I had hired an independent mechanic, Safelite, to come to my house and fix the windshield. As he was fixing it he made me aware that my rear defroster on the windshield had overheated and burned the cables which had caused the failure. My grandfather contacted the local dealership and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Transmission · GA

On 9/14/21 was driving on highway and car started having a loud noise and brought car to Five Star Jeep in Macon GA. The PTO Unit was broken and I had to have it repaired there - that took 1 month. A second time on 5/5/22, when driving the car on a main road it started making a loud noise again and I was unable to steer or drive the car. Pulled off onto the shoulder and waited for AAA to come and tow vehicle to Jeep dealership. Luckily I was at a light when this happened or I could have hit a person or other car or they could have hot me. Car was towed to Paulding County GA Jeep dealership who confirmed it was the PTU failure and rear diff feels like its binding up from PTU failure while driving. I am dealing with Joseph Drupiewski at Paulding Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 1245 Old Griffin Rd, Dallas, GA 30157, (770) 406-6926. His cell is 770‑599‑7541. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I have read online that there is a recall for this on Jeeps. the federal safety agency campaign numbers: The recall for the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee is 20V343. FCA’s own number for this recall is W47. The recall for the PTUs sold for use in Jeep Cherokees is 20E037, and FCA’s own number for this is W48. There were sporadic warning messages on the car which would say "4 Wheel drive overheated, temporarily unavailable". I never used 4 wheel drive. It was popping on and off over a few days,

Filed Apr 8, 2022 · Visibility · 69,000 miles · MI · fire

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while his granddaughter was at a stand still at a railroad crossing, the rear windshield shattered independently without impact. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning light was illuminated. The driver called the police department and filed a police report. The contact stated no one was injured nor seek medical attention. The driver was able to continue to drive to her residence. The contact spoke to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact stated an independent mechanic came to her residence and informed the rear defroster on the windshield overheated and burned the cables which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Engine · 148,000 miles · NM

Vehicle stall while parked or during mid turn. Vehicle would also have some sort of overheating which causes engine light to come one and vehicle starts to lose power causing lights to have a short flicker. All issue happen during motion and while parked.

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Engine · 36,399 miles · PA

The jeep has 36.4k miles. When I drive the car is overheating and shoots all the way hot into the red and then cools down, then goes up again. It happened 4 times in 15 min. We filled it with antifreeze. There is no leak. The dealer couldn't find a problem but my mechanic says it's an engine defect that chrysler needs to fix. It also has a cylinder misfire that I have had to have fixed by chrysler twice in september and december because it chugs when I start the car and at stop lights. The check engine light comes on. They say it's bad spark plugs. I only drive about 14 miles a day.