10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,849 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Jeep Cherokee electrical problems

electrical problem

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2017 Jeep Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #260

Apr 192023

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon starting the vehicle, the service shifter message came on the dashboard screen and all the lights on the shifter illuminated red. If I drive with it on, it stays on. When I turn off the Jeep and turn it back on, the message and lights go off. However, this message has appeared about once a month for the last few months. It is unknown if my safety has been at risk. I've called two different dealers and got widely different answers about what the problem could be, as well as very different cost estimates to fix it. But, no one really knows what the fix is. I've investigated this problem online and have found 100s if not 1000s of complaints about the same problem with no clear solution. Why is there no recall for this yet. It's been going on for years.

- Union Grove, WI, USA

problem #259

Nov 052022

Cherokee

  • miles
Water is leaking into vehicle when it rains. Floor boards are soaked after it rains. Water is coming into contact with electrical somewhere. Causing loss of power, and lights to flicker. Took to dealership a couple times, they couldn't find the leak. They said they found it but didn't. After a couple attempts to fix the issue. The dealership refunded my money and said they couldn't help.

- Valparaiso , IN, USA

problem #258

Mar 072020

Cherokee

  • miles
My service shifter light stays on almost all the time. The gears PRND are all red lights.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #257

Apr 062023

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At random times, the vehicle will notify of a "Service Shifter" message that pops up on screen. The lights that indicate which gear the car is in all light up-park, neutral, drive, etc. Every light turns on and the notification shows up on the screen where speedometer is located. This is concerning-it has happened multiple times, if I turn the car off and back on, the notification goes away. However, it always comes back a few hundred miles later. I drive a 2017 Jeep Cherokee, and bought it in 2019 with only 16,000 miles on it. The notification first came up when I hit 20,000 miles and has persisted ever since periodically. If you search "Jeep Cherokee service shifter" you can find NUMEROUS forums where people have reported the same issues. It is clearly an issue that needs to be looked into further. I have already filed a safety problem before, and nothing was done about it. I recommend looking into this issue further, and googling the issue as well-there are far too many people reporting the same problem and there has been no recall to be issued.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #256

Feb 192023

Cherokee

  • miles
Service shifter warning comes on multiple times while driving

- Asbury Park, NJ, USA

problem #255

Dec 212022

Cherokee

  • miles
2017 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 3.2L, V6 Service Bulletin Number: 08-054-18 REV. A Dated September 13, 2018 Group-08 Electrical Code tester detected a failure of the service shifter. A warning light would come on with service shifter error. The failure could cause vehicle to stop and not restart, or it could restart after setting for a while. We had purchased an extended warranty, but our dealership it would not cover the service shifter failure under the warranty. We then took the vehicle to a repair shop, and they said both the shifter harness and bezel needed to be replaced. The mechanic said the part number had been changed for the bezel unit, indicating the part design had been changed from the original. Apparently, Chrysler was aware of the problem, but refused to do a recall. In researching our problem, it seems to be an ongoing problem. Thank goodness we had the problem fixed within a couple of weeks. We could have experienced possible harm if the shifter failed and stalled in traffic or on a busy road. We think a class action claim should be brought against Chrysler for not implementing a recall. We should be reimbursed for our repair by Chrysler. The mechanic removed the defective part and we did not save it. He could provide details if requested. Repair cost $277.31.

- Hayward, WI, USA

problem #254

Dec 292022

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The automatic transmission shifter transmits a warning to the instrument panel display with the words SERVICE SHIFTER. All of the red shifter console lights light up at once. The vehicle will not engage the PARK safety brake at times after parking the vehicle when the warning is illuminated. While operating the vehicle no other instrument readings are available (speed, mileage, etc). The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer or mechanic and is a continuing problem. This issue first appeared one month ago and there was no other indication of a problem prior to the first occurrence.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

problem #253

Jan 052023

Cherokee

  • miles
Issue: Burning smell in vehicle. Diagnosis: driver side visor wiring burned, potential fire hazard. Notes: We noticed a burning plastic smell several times in vehicle cabin. I searched around but couldn-€™t locate the smell. After the third time, the Homelink garage door opener located in the driver-€™s side sun visor stopped working. Also noted that the vanity mirror lights were not working either. This wiring is not on a fuse. I check the wiring to the visor with a voltmeter and noted 12 bolts to the visor. I removed the passenger visor and plugged it into the driver side. The vanity mirror lights had power and worked. Plugging the driver side visor into the passenger side showed it to not work. Therefore, the issue is the wiring burned inside the visor, breaking the connection. The visor is stitched all around and not easily accessible without cutting and thereby ruining the fabric and appearance of the visor. So wiring is not easily accessible without having to install a new liner.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #252

Dec 102022

Cherokee

  • miles
Every time it rains, water leaks into the rear of the vehicle through the ceiling and cracks on the side. As a result, water is soaking through the ceiling, rear speakers and trunk. This is causing mold and deterioration of all parts below the spare tire and is a safety issue.

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #251

Oct 072022

Cherokee

  • miles
When driving my jeep the dashboard will randomly give me a warning to service my shifter and all of the lights on shifter will go red. I have to turn my jeep off and back on for the lights to go back to normal. I have had to replace the power transfer unit due to the 4 wheel drive not working anymore. I took my car into the dealership to the PCM W84 Recall and two weeks later my transmission fluid exploded and the engine was smoking. Had to replace the heat ignition coil and the inlet hose. Paid $2,000 to repair and a week later my check engine light came on and now my car is overheating. Took it to the dealer and they added coolant and said it was an air bubble in the coolant. A couple of days later the issue happened again, took it in two more times and they filled the coolant, but now saying that the cylinder head gasket needs to be replaced which is another $1,700.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #250

Nov 192022

Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2017 Jeep Cherokee and been experiencing service shifter error when all the lights on gear shift lights up in red and this time I was at home and it also flashed oil change on dash board which I just had a recent oil change and this has been an issue off and on and dealership says there is no recall but they have heard of this issue. Not feeling safe to drive vehicle unsure if my car will stop while out. I have an appointment with dealership to see what the issue is. I only have about 72,000 miles on my vehicle.

- Florissant , MO, USA

problem #249

Mar 152022

Cherokee

  • miles
The service shifter message came on the screen and all the lights on the shifter lit up. The engine would jerk or completely shut off while driving. Speed increased going downhill in cruise control. I brought it in 6 months ago and they said it was almost out of oil and very dirty. So they filled it without changing the filter. The dealer claimed to have updated the computer. Now the service shifter message is coming on again and all the lights come on next to the shifter. They are fixing that today - charging me for replacing the shifter and it taking only 1/2 hour. I think the charge is $500 - $600. They said it would not be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty included when purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles less than 1 year ago.

- Wahkon, MN, USA

problem #248

Oct 192022

Cherokee

  • miles
While driving the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stops running without any warning. Engine stops. Car just coasts. PRNDL indicator (D for drive) on instrument cluster flashes instead of a constant D. Then some sort of messages comes up similar to "shift to neutral to start engine". Car will not restart. Car coasts to stop without power and no power steering. Then I need to turn ignition off. I will then cycle locks (locked then unlocked). Then turn on ignition. From here the car attempts to start but it is not an immediate start up like normal. The gauge needles (speedometer and tachometer) both go all the way to the right while the car attempts to restart but this startup takes about 10+ seconds of attempted cranking to finally restart. This is a long clicking sound before restart. This has happened 3-4 times now in the 30 days. Most recently on a main road where I had to coast without power and power steering to the shoulder. I have not yet been to the dealer. Car is out of warranty.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #247

Jan 012021

Cherokee

  • miles
Service shifter warning continuous for 12 months. Recalled on the 2017 Grand Cherokee but this is am issue with the Cherokee latitude. This is a very serious safety issue & needs recalled for more vehicles!

- Sperry, OK, USA

problem #246

Aug 242022

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle gives -€œservice shifter-€ notification and all lights on shifter become illuminated on shifter.

- Mapleton, MN, USA

problem #245

Aug 042022

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle turns on but will not start. Changed battery and spark plugs

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #244

Aug 172021

Cherokee

  • miles
in august 2021 my got a service parking brake warning. took to dealership to make a appointment got more warning on the drive there for traction control, brake warning and check engine. got a appointment for later in week. asked was it OK to drive was told yes it was OK. got in car to leave and every 4 to 6 inches parking brake would lock up. tried a few times to move car but couldn't go any where keep locking brakes up. went inside told service advisor said i would have to leave it with them. called for a ride and while waiting for ride service advisor tried to move car and same thing happened to him. they replaced parking brake module. then in January 2022 left work and got service parking brake warning again then traction control also after a few miles. managed to make it home and called dealership and got a appointment for a few days later. when i tried to go to work next time car would not start battery was dead. had it towed to dealership and the brake module and terminal was corroded and green also battery was shorted out and would not hold a charge { fried the battery}. had to replace battery, control module and wiring harness this time. guess i was lucky it didn't catch fire this time or it happen while driving at highway speeds.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #243

Jul 222022

Cherokee

  • miles
Our 2017 Cherokee 46k displays -€œservice shifter-€ and all lights on the shifter go red. The first time this happened (summer 2020) the dealership Hopkins, MN told me not to drive the vehicle and to bring in for service. They were not aware of this issue which I don't believe now. The appointment was 4 weeks out and once the dealership looked at vehicle as lights were off they could not diagnose. 2nd time this happened was not able to get into dealership that day. 3rd time this happened (7/22/2022) I immediately called the dealership on issue and they refused to look at vehicle the same day and told me to bring in on Monday 7/25/2022. Next day the lights did not come on. each time I call the Jeep dealership they give me a different response. Don't know if its safe to drive the vehicle in this state. There should be a recall on this issue.

- Edina, MN, USA

problem #242

Nov 222021

Cherokee

  • miles
Vehicle keeps having warning light for service shifter violently shift at time and anyone with this model is having the exact same problem

- Maumelle, AR, USA

problem #241

Apr 162022

Cherokee

  • miles
When I started my 2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited this morning, a "service shifter" message appeared on my instrument panel. All the lights that indicate park, reverse, neutral, and drive were illuminated red - all at one time. I turned the car off and restarted it. The message was no longer indicated. However, I scheduled the car for service with my dealer. I wanted to add my voice to the others that have experienced this same issue. The car is not currently under a recall for this issue. But it seems to be a prevalent one for this year and model Jeep.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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