2016 Jeep Cherokee engine problems
314 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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 lights and license plate light not working, yet they are. Took to repair shop and…”
filed Sep 3, 2026
“pulling out of a gas station the engine revved and accelerated without me pressing on the pedal harder. i tried pressing the brakes and they would not respond. It caused my vehicle to crash into a pole where it continued to rev until the vehicle was turned off.”
filed May 13, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine problems in other Cherokee years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Cherokee | 7 | 14% |
| 2021 Cherokee | 26 | 16% |
| 2020 Cherokee | 40 | 14% |
| 2019 Cherokee | 457 | 28% |
| 2018 Cherokee | 155 | 23% |
| 2017 Cherokee | 258 | 19% |
| 2015 Cherokee | 364 | 20% |
| 2014 Cherokee | 515 | 19% |
| 2001 Cherokee | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 Cherokee | 12 | 3% |
| 1999 Cherokee | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 Cherokee | 4 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.