2017 Jeep Cherokee: engine failure

Filed May 26, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · ME

The component that failed/malfunctioned was the module that activates the EPB. It is available for inspection if requested. My safety was put at risk because the parking brake would engage every time the vehicle shut off leaving me stranded and could put other drivers at risk if my vehicle was stranded on the roadway. It would sometimes reset if the battery was disconnected and then reconnected, but eventually trying to reset it did not work. Within a week, the actuators completely seized and the vehicle was inoperable, requiring to be towed. The problem was confirmed by a Jeep dealership service center. They noted that water was leaking into the vehicle from the outside and pooling. The inside rear cargo carpets are moldy and need to be replaced and the module is completely water damaged along with other electrical components being rusted and corroded. The issue has been identified by a certified mechanic at the service center. I had planned to reach out to my auto insurance provider to file a claim, but was informed of an active recall on 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees with similar symptoms to what I am experiencing. No warning lamps or messages were active prior to the failure. Both "Service Parking Brake" along with the red "brake" light were active to let me know my EPB was engaged. I was able to reset the message briefly to unlock the brakes by disconnecting the battery, but was only successful once. Then it needed to be towed to the dealership for further inspection.

Filed May 3, 2026 · Transmission · OK

My Active-Drive 1 PTU failed at 112k miles. This failure happened going down the highway at 65mph. It occurred via a loud clunk and mechanical grinding noise, followed by a “service 4-WD” light. In my case, the failure was not catastrophic and did not cause safety concerns. However, this part runs the risk of seizing all four wheels or losing power to the wheels when failing, which could have caused a significantly dangerous situation such as a collision with nearby vehicles or even a pile-up, had the wheels seized. I did not have the part serviced or inspected by the dealer, as in order to do so would have required a substantial fee. It can be reproduced and I would be open to doing so should the manufacturer come to their senses. Unfortunately, despite the lack of recall, this part is known for failure by the manufacturer and a similar component on other models, the AD-2 PTU, was recalled by the manufacturer for the same failure and safety concerns that this part has.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was slowly driven to a parking lot and then towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact previously received information from the manufacturer of an Extended Warranty on the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that since a diagnostic test had not produced two specific fault codes, the vehicle could not be repaired under the Extended Warranty. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle suddenly seized, causing the vehicle to spin off the road. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to Modern Day Automotive, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The mechanic replaced the part with a refurbished part; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle became drivable. The contact was able to drive to the residence, where the parking brake warning light and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to reverse(R); the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine · 97,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the radiator due to a radiator leak. During the diagnostic test the engine failed, and the engine was replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 4 months later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the radiator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the radiator for the third time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 26,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil and the engine was replaced. The contact stated that several years later while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred for a second time soon after restarting the vehicle. The contact drove back to the dealer and the vehicle remained at the dealer for approximately 2 months. Once the vehicle was returned to the contact, the vehicle shut off again; the vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The dealer replaced the power software module and returned that vehicle back to the contact. Soon after retrieving the vehicle, the instrument panel went blank, and the vehicle shut off again without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and then back to the dealer; however, neither the independent mechanic nor the dealer could determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Engine · 15,700 miles · MI

I've needed to add a quart of oil every 1000 miles since the vehicle was new. I returned the car to the dealer at approximately 3200 miles and was put on an "oil consumption monitoring program" where I returned the car every 1000 miles for measuring the oil consumption. This was done every 1000 miles and the car now has 15,700 miles. When I returned to the dealer time before last, I was told to drive it another 1000 miles, return and if oil must be added, chrysler will "replace the engine." when I scheduled my last consumption check, I was told chrysler now upped the checking interval to 1500 miles. I therefor drove the car another 500 miles and returned to the dealer on 9/21/2020 where the the car was checked in. After the car was checked, the service check in guy told me they added another quart, and that I needed to put yet another "1500 to 1700" miles on the vehicle, then return for another final check, and if oil was needed, they would (once again) replace the engine. I understand from the service personal, that if the engine oil quantity drops to two quarts below full, the engine will shut off, and that this has happened numerous times.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 30,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 jeep cherokee. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The brake pedal was depressed and seized. The contact stated that the service shifter warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and drove to his residence. The vehicle was taken to mckinney dodge chrysler jeep ram & used cars located at 4574 calhoun memorial hwy, easley, sc 29640, (864) 859-1981, where the contact was informed that an oil change was necessary. The vehicle received an oil change but, continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken to piedmont chrysler dodge jeep ram located at 4015 clemson blvd, anderson, sc 29621, (864) 305-4234, and was informed that an oil consumption test was necessary. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the valve cover. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic and was informed the valve cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated shortly afterwards the number 3 cylinder needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle repaired however, the valve cover started leaking again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Engine · 25,500 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

My jeep has about 26,000 miles on it, since I've purchased this vehicle brand new off the lot, it has been towed 6 times for engine failure. My engine is burning the oil, with out warning while driving, the car shuts off. The dealer insists this is normal, but it is not normal for a car to absorb or burn oil.

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 41,188 miles · IL

Engine keeps shutting down while driving on street or highway. 5 times since 9/19. Dealer replaced engine and problem continues

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Engine · 92,000 miles · WI

While driving the vehicle, it would go into limp mode and shut itself down while driving. This has happened during 3 different periods time near the oil change interval, occurring 3+ or more times during each period. After complaining about it to the dealership, with the 3rd occurrence, they checked the oil prior to changing it noting there was no oil in the pan. After performing a fuel consumption test, it was noted that the engine between 6,000 and 7,000 miles (oil change time) lost over 1.25 quarts of oil. Between 0 and 6,000 miles, minimal to no oil was lost, but between 6,000-7,000 the oil would drop significantly with no obvious reason why. The dealership mentioned they have had other customers with a similar issue. If it was under warranty, then jeep would likely replace the engine, but since no longer under warranty (expired at 60,000 miles), I would need to replace engine or tear down to diagnose the issue.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse or driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle independently shift to 1st gear without warning, and the front wheel seized intermittently. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.