2016 Jeep Cherokee engine problems
313 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2016 Jeep Cherokee — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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
“Beginning in late October 2025, my 2016 Jeep Cherokee North Edition began experiencing a recurring electronic shifter and transmission malfunction. The vehicle displays a “Service Shifter” warning (with an A! with a circle arrow and the check engine light is on) and shakes violently upon shifting…”
filed Feb 23, 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 | 15% |
| 2021 Cherokee | 23 | 16% |
| 2020 Cherokee | 37 | 14% |
| 2019 Cherokee | 451 | 28% |
| 2018 Cherokee | 155 | 23% |
| 2017 Cherokee | 256 | 19% |
| 2015 Cherokee | 363 | 20% |
| 2014 Cherokee | 513 | 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.