The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally with the message "Service 4WD" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the PTU had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V302000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The contact was informed that the parts to repair the vehicle were currently on backorder. The failure mileage was 86,000.
2016 Jeep Cherokee: jerking or lurching
59 of the 1,415 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 59
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 47,996
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 79 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle sputtered, jerked, and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Service 4WD" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an inoperable PTU actuator. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,900.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally with an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #5. The fuel injectors were cleaned, and the spark plugs and filters were replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the contact became aware that there were oil stains on the ground, and the abnormal odor was still coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the plastic oil filter housing seal had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
So I was driving to work one morning and I pulled into the parking lot, put my car in park and a few mins after I get a message/ alert on my dash saying “service shifter”…. Indicating It’s the p1c86-1D, an electrical issue with the shifter display circuit. I took it to the dealership I bought it from (Della Chevrolet) they did a diagnosis. They said I needed to replace the whole shifter and if I did I’d have to pay over $1000 for them to do it and it wouldn’t be covered if it went out again because the car isn’t a Chevy… but long story short they told me that at any time my shifter can stop working.. an no got into park or drive etc… I’m not trying to be stuck there Also another electrical is when I got my car and when I stopped at lights my car would shut off for the eco friendly mode.. then one day it jsut stopped and I had one day where it tripped out… where it worked then didn’t. Also, when I’m driving, and I think it’s when I accelerate and when going a steady speed the car jerks randomly. Like jerks forwards
The car is not shifting properly and will "jump" or "lunge" forward while driving. I have noticed that the RPM's will jump and bounce around, seemingly down shifting, then shift again, and then down shift again, which causes jerking motion.
Car goes into "limp mode" while driving. Will slow to a complete stop, not rev, and says "Shift to P then desired gear". All other components of car are on (battery barely a year old). Try to follow command prompt; after putting car in P, and shifting to D, it still won't rev. I was on an incline and began rolling backwards. Good thing no one was behind me at the time. Had to turn completely off. On startup, it's stuttering and takes a while to start. Turns on fine and will drive, but is physically jerking between gears. Then, the first time I have to stop for a significant time and idle, it will do it again. I follow process again and was able to record video, because I was on a back street and pulled over in time, luckily. Upon driving the next day and taking to dealer, it is still jerking. Dealer cannot replicate and shows no error codes, so they say to just keep driving and can only help if I bring in while it is happening? That is literally insane. Same thing happened a year ago, but after filling up and being on "Empty". I went to a independent mechanic then, which is why I was hopeful the dealer would have more insight into the problem. That mechanic also could not replicate. They said it could be a fuel line or pump issue and to never let gas get too low, or go through costly man hours to check the fuel line, but then it couldn't be that at all, so could still be back at square one. That time, it stopped me in a busy intersection TWICE and was far more terrifying. I decided to skip the potentially pointless and definitely expensive fuel line investigation. I decided to take it in again when it happened and followed the "don't let gas get too low" directive and had no further issues until 5/5/25.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle violently began jerking after releasing the accelerator pedal and depressing the brake pedal. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V302000 (Power Train). The contact called the local dealer, who discussed updating the software. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked while in first gear. The contact stated that after a short while the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
My car has 123,000 done everything by book. Been report issues for over yr. Car almost got my killed by not stopping, turning, jerking on Accelerating and decelerating when shifting. All my motor mounts, transmission mount busted , messed up suspension control arm, ball joints, struts , axle, brakes all once. Drained battery. Spent 4500. Then my service shifter just came on. So back at shop. This is insane my shifter should last life time of my car. Due to the damage of that it cause a downfall of front end issues. This is well known issues of Jeep 2016 but not mine for a recall. It has cost me thousands and should not be happening at 122,000 miles . Car is at dealership again now and i have rental so not sure what that will cost. This started 2/11 not codes just could tell already filed reports with you all. My brakes lasted years , rotors was changed 2/11 hoping it helped per papers already damaged due to all this other crap. I’m very upset my car shouldn’t be having all these issues at 122,000 we are 1 car family
Vehicle lost power while in traffic was running weird jerking check engine light came on A! Light came on vehicle wouldn't stay running. Codes read Catalyst system efficiency. Recall u90 issues Recall u67 issues code p0430, p0300,p0175, p0174
Jeep skips gears on highway and loses power while accelerating to get up to speed. Took jeep to multiple dealers which all has said it's the torque converter. My jeep is a 2016 with only 77k miles on it. It jerks you at stop lights to almost hitting the car in front of you or losing all power in highway when trying to merge on. I have read that there has been recalls on 2016 jeep cherokee transmissions. Is there a recall on mine?
The service 4w drive indicator came on on the vehicle while I was driving in light snow of about 1 inch. I was unable to stop because the wheels spun and felt like they were not spinning in sync. I spun out and narrowly missed hitting 3 cars. My wheels spun wildly and the jeep picked up speed as I tried to stop. Luckily I did not hit anything. A few days later I was then driving and experienced a loss in power while the rpm surged very high and the whole vehicle shook and lurched forward. I have taken the vehicle to the jeep dealer and was told it will cost $2700 to repair the vehicle because my PTU is not covered under the recall that is on vehicles oof the same year for the PTU and manufactured during the time the PTU is being recalled for. The dealers explanation is that not enough of the vehicles with my power transfer unit have had it fail in order for them to cover it. There is also a 6-8 week wait to have the repair done. I am afraid to drive my own vehicle on snow or wet roads since I don’t want to lose control.
Service bulletins that may apply
- D-26-20
- ID-26-40
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
- MIL/check engine lamp comes on after performing U90 recall PCM software update.
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-11 (XJ1) Power Transfer Unit (PTU)
- Customer Satisfaction Notification W20 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- Powertrain Control Module.
- Customer Satisfaction Notification W84 Powertrain Software Update
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V302000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V343000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016. The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.
Recall number 16V284000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015. The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- Risk
- A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.
Recall number 16V287000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
59 of 1,415 owner complaints about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee (4%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2014.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee?
There are 4 recalls and 79 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
Stalling 148Check engine light 125Loss of power 90Warning lights 90Oil consumption 50Won't shift 42Hesitation 33Grinding brakes 30Won't start 24Harsh shifting 23Adaptive cruise 20Engine failure 20Slipping 20Transmission failure 20Headlights 18Overheating 17No deployment 16Fire or smoke 16Misfire 15Water leak 15Steering lock-up 13Knocking 12Power steering loss 12Wipers 12Key fob 11Rollaway 8Brake failure 7Start-stop 7Fuel pump 6ABS 5Airbag light 5Screen failure 5Sudden acceleration 5
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