Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,406 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 435 | 31% |
| Unknown or other | 165 | 12% |
| Engine | 122 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 69 | 5% |
| Power train | 36 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 2% |
| Power train | 24 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was driving home from work, the digital display (center)!showed my speed at 82m/h and revving the engine, the actual speedometer showed the actual speed I was doing of 32m/h…(right side of display). Computer reading l
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The vehicle suffered a complete internal failure of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) drivetrain assembly. Authorized dealership Milford Auto Group diagnosed the vehicle on Invoice #45604 and confirmed in writing: "THE PTU H
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I was involved in a significant front-end collision while driving my 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle sustained extensive front-end damage, including substantial damage to the hood, front bumper, and front structural/comp
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My PTU/transfer case has failed and our Jeep is currently in the shop. They are stating that this exact issue is part of an ongoing recall and that our vehicle should also be added to the recall list due to this part bei
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My 2016 Jeep Cherokee developed severe grinding/scraping noise and vibration associated with the PTU. In 2023, I brought it to Larry H. Miller Jeep 104th for PTU-related Safety Recall 45A and also reported abnormal noise
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Good afternoon, my 2016 Jeep Cherokee is currently at the Local Jeep Dealer in Savannah, Georgia. I have been informed by the dealership that my Power Transfer Unit has failed and has to be replaced. I went to your web
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Took a hard Impact to the rear driver side tire and rear driver door corner small dent(near rear tire), and was spun 180 causing being propelled into a light pole on the passenger front and side. No airbags deployed in t
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The vehicle show code B0020-13. This is a fault in the wiring system for the airbags. Caused by Jeep engineering being bad. This has nothing to do with how is driven or used and is a massive safety issue and shuts the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2016 Jeep Cherokee. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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.
Fix: 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
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 s
Risk: A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
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 ma
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: 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
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.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 40 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 59 | average |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,406 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 435 of them (31%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 40/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 59/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.