2016 Jeep Cherokee

Showing the 2016 Cherokee Latitude. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

About every 2016 Cherokee

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee has 1,410 owner complaints, the most for transmission and drivetrain at 633. It is rated 22 to 25 mpg combined, with a 5-year fuel cost of $12,990 to $14,760 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall. It has 9 recall campaigns that may apply, covering electrical system, body and structure, transmission and drivetrain, and others; 1 was replaced by a later campaign.

Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.

Fuel economy
22–25 mpgcombined; city 19–21, highway 25–30; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$12,990–$14,760U.S. average; Ohio $11,610–$13,190 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
4 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
9over its history, 1 replaced by a later one; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
1,410filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2016 Cherokee. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 1,410 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cherokee. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power train633743
Engine314240
Unknown or other313540
Electrical system297241
Service brakes92403
Vehicle speed control76501
Steering53301
Fuel/propulsion system43201
Structure33235
Air bags3116017
Electronic stability control (ESC)30000
Forward collision avoidance29201
17 more parts
Suspension21202
Exterior lighting20010
Wheels17000
Visibility/wiper11100
Parking brake10000
Engine and engine cooling6000
Seats5000
Seat belts3201
Equipment2000
Firerelated2020
Service brakes, hydraulic2000
Tires2000
Visibility2010
Fuel system, gasoline1000
Lane departure1000
Latches/locks/linkages1000
Trailer hitches1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 20142,650
  2. 20151,789
  3. 20161,410
  4. 20171,337
  5. 2018687
  6. 20191,661
  7. 2020325
  8. 2021176
  9. 202251
  10. 20233
  11. 20268

Every Cherokee year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Cherokee over its history, 1 replaced by a later one. A replaced campaign is listed at the end as history, not as a separate repair. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Electrical system: wiring; Structure: body

NHTSA campaign 23V338000 · reported May 11, 2023 · 132,099 vehicles potentially affected

Park outside

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a power liftgate. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will relocate the power liftgate module and add a water shield. In addition, dealers will inspect for corrosion and replace the module and electrical connectors, if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 49A. This recall supersedes recalls 15V-393 and 15V-826. Vehicles repaired under the prior recalls will still need to have the new remedy performed.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 23V302000 · reported Apr 27, 2023 · 25,980 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission; Power train: driveline

NHTSA campaign 20V343000 · reported Jun 11, 2020 · 67,248 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: software; Electrical system: wiring; Vehicle speed control: cruise control

NHTSA campaign 18V332000 · reported May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

NHTSA's record and documents

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 17V824000 · reported Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seats; Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V590000 · reported Aug 10, 2016 · 1,827 vehicles potentially affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.

Risk: Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall S63.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: axle assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V284000 · reported May 11, 2016 · 1,029 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: axle assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V287000 · reported May 11, 2016 · 52 vehicles potentially affected

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

1 replaced campaign (history)

Electrical system: wiring; Structure: body

NHTSA campaign 15V826000 · reported Dec 9, 2015 · 32,784 vehicles potentially affected

Replaced by campaign 23V338000, as NHTSA's record says: history, not a separate repair.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. This recall is superseded by NHTSA recall 23V-338.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 450 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2016 Cherokee, the latest on Jul 23, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (176), power train (107), equipment (95), engine and engine cooling (65), structure (57).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Preliminary evaluation PE22009
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
Parking brakeJul 22, 2022Closed Oct 29, 2023
NHTSA's summary names recall 15V393000
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA21002
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · covers 37 makes
Air bagsSep 17, 2021Open
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2016 Cherokee.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2016 Jeep Cherokees for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: small sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 5–6 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Cherokee
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline21 / 30 / 25
Cherokee
Front-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline or E8521 / 30 / 25
Cherokee
Front-Wheel Drive
3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline21 / 29 / 24
Cherokee
All-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline21 / 28 / 23
Cherokee
All-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline or E8521 / 28 / 23
Cherokee
All-Wheel Drive
3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline20 / 27 / 23
Cherokee Active Drive II
4-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline21 / 27 / 23
Cherokee Active Drive II
4-Wheel Drive
3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline19 / 26 / 22
Cherokee Trailhawk
4-Wheel Drive
2.4 L, 4 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline19 / 25 / 22
Cherokee Trailhawk
4-Wheel Drive
3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 9-spdRegular Gasoline19 / 26 / 22

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data