2016 Jeep Cherokee acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V332000May 17, 20184,815,661 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 22, 2026MIAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   The PTU was bad and was replaced by the dealership under Chrysler extended warranty. The dealership then said the transfer case module and motor needed to be replaced and while at the dealership replacing those components they informed me that the rear differential axle is bad resulting from the bad PTU

   NHTSA complaint #11712655 · source
2. Filed Sep 15, 2025LAEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vibrating issue and missing fire originating from engine. Intake camshaft broken and left cylinder head is damaged and needs replacement. This should not be happening to this car. Cannot drive a faster rate either. There should be a claim out for all these issues.

   NHTSA complaint #11687366 · source
3. Filed May 14, 2025PAEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car is not shifting properly and will "jump" or "lunge" forward while driving. I have noticed that the RPM's will jump and bounce around, seemingly down shifting, then shift again, and then down shift again, which causes jerking motion.

   NHTSA complaint #11660971 · source
4. Filed Jan 14, 2025SDElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While driving doe the highway the Dashboard lights go out and headlights turn off. Headlights and bulbs go out frequently. Rear license plate lights go out even after bulb replacement. Kicks cruise off while driving and shift gear control warning.

   NHTSA complaint #11635822 · source
5. Filed Nov 13, 2024MIAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   PTU problems. Grinding noise from rear when turning slow and accelerating. Remove fuse for ptu and noise goes away. Put fuse back in it is back. Vehicle moves a lot when put in park and sometimes when using remote start you can see the vehicle jump forward a couple feet. My vehicle has all symptoms from recalls NHTSA 20V-343, NHTSA 20E-037, NHTSA 23V-302. But my PTU part number of:68283349AA is not included in any recall. This needs to be looked at further and extend the…

   NHTSA complaint #11625110 · source
6. Filed Jun 8, 2024MDAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle cut off on me while the vehicle was in drive and I was driving on the highway going 70mph. It has done this several times now. The car cuts off. The vehicle looses power.

   NHTSA complaint #11593201 · source
7. Filed May 7, 2024INCrash1 injuredTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Cruise control would not disengage. Instead it accelerated me to 85 mph is rush hour traffic. The car continued to accelerate will out responding to any commands to turn off cruise control. Second time this has happened. It was supposed to be fixed by doing an update to the car. This did not work. The second time I attempted to use cruise control after having had the long block engine replaced due to the oil consumption law suit, the car once again had the same problem with…

   NHTSA complaint #11587572 · source
8. Filed Mar 29, 2024NCAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   4 wd service light comes on randomly, started the middle of February. It took a couple of weeks to get an appointment with the dealership. Twice in the past 2 weeks the car has slowed down, lost power in traffic to where I had to pull over and let the car go at a low speed until it would go at normal speed again. There is an active recall for the part needing to be replaced with the same year model however this VIN isn't listed in the recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11580067 · source
9. Filed Oct 3, 202340,500 miMOAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control system failed to maintain the set speed. The contact stated that the speed fluctuated up and down erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,500.

   NHTSA complaint #11548004 · source
10. Filed Sep 11, 2023GAOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    The car has been stalling when the fuel level reaches the half point for over a year now. Now it is stalling at any time regardless of the fuel line level. Recalls completed and up to date. Informed it was a software issue. Car still performing the same after recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11543773 · source
11. Filed Aug 4, 2023MIEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    Since inception of purchasing the vehicle in January 2019, I have experienced a sudden jolt, banging sound/feeling. In the beginning the issue was subtle. In addition, I have felt a sudden loss of speed. It should be noted I did not seek any service at this time. As a side note, sometime in 2020/2021 i received a letter of a recall for fault PTU however this was for another jeep i owned no longer in my possession. This prompted me to call mopar to see if my current vin was…

    NHTSA complaint #11536488 · source
12. Filed Aug 1, 2023MOAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    Ptu fail the second day of purchasing my car on my birthday with my 2 daughters was in the car with me a 1 year old and 2 year old the car made a big boom and stop it put it self in park. I took the car to a shop yes it was confirmed the ptu yes I took it to Jeep no they appeared after that happen

    NHTSA complaint #11535705 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology