The Lemon Index2016 Jeep Cherokee.
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 577 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 280, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Jeep Cherokee year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2014–2023 Jeep Cherokee, 27.6M views. The 2016 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical927K views
2014 - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected - How To Start With Dead, Bad Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 349K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service492K views
How to reset the oil life on a 2014 Jeep CherokeeJimthecarguy · 492K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4469K views
👉 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee HIGH ALTITUDE 4X4 - Ultimate In-Depth Look in 4KMikesCarInfo · 221K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring408K views
2019 jeep cherokee maintenance light resetOil Light Reset · 235K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils327K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 181K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter245K views
2015-2018 Jeep Cherokee U1465 and P1C86-1D Shifter PRDNL BezelMotorCity Mechanic · 128K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank181K views
How to Replace the fuel pump on the Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2019Haynes Manuals · 181K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Thorough Review By A MechanicThe Car Care Nut Reviews · 519K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 1,410 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Cherokee year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 65K miles on the car (873 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 25K–70K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–57K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–61K miles
Recalls 9
- electrical 2023
An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
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 b…
Show all 9 recalls
- electrical 2018
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- seats 2016
The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning.
- electrical 2015
In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 450 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "2.0l or 2.4l engine replacement this bulletin involves replacing the long block due to a…
- "transmission wiring harness repair or replacement for no start or stiff steering this…
- Flash: Heated Steering Wheel Temperature Enhancement Depending on vehicle architecture: This…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedElectronic parking brake water ingress2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Service transmission light on while driving making the vehicle to lose power and doesn't what to move
2016 Jeep Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11258716
More owner reports
"service transmission" light would come on and the car loses power. This happened twice while the car was in motion on the freeway. Had to pull off to the side of the road, turn the engine off and back on again
NHTSA complaint 11105262
Engine stalls while driving because of low oil. Jeep is 2 1/2 yrs. Old with 50,000 miles and should not be burning oil. Many people complaining of the same thing.
NHTSA complaint 11119750
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 280; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Cherokee year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), engine (29%) and electrical (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?
9 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,000 and 65,000 miles. The middle report was at 43,600 miles, from 873 complaints.
Does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Jeep Cherokee have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Cherokee year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works