2017 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 13, 2026171,000 miOHEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While the contact’s daughter was driving and approaching a stop…

   NHTSA complaint #11710657 · source
2. Filed Sep 18, 2025ALElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   A SERVICE SHIFTER message appeared out of nowhere, and now all the lights turn on regardless of which gear I'm in. After a quick internet search, it appears MANY people have experienced this exact same issue with various Jeep models. It seems this is an issue the company should take responsibility for and fix with a recall. The parts to replace this faulty design are expensive, and a repair shop cost would be exorbitant.

   NHTSA complaint #11688093 · source
3. Filed Aug 12, 2025MTAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   Vehicle has a known safety Bulletin out from Stellantis for the PTU but this model does not fall under it. I am having issues with the PtU and concerns with safety of driving and others. Will need repaired. Frustration that my certain subsection of this model is not covered under the safety bulletin despite known problems and significant safety risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11680180 · source
4. Filed Jul 24, 2025MIEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Service Shifter light came on dash, all gears on shifter , red lights came on. I was driving at 55 mph and could tell the car wasn’t accelerating and was slowing down . That’s when I noticed the Service Shifter light on dash. I was in a lot of traffic and couldn’t safely pull over , I was almost rear ended by the car behind me. I coasted to the side of the road and turned car off and back on . The light went off . This was yesterday , today I start the car and it starts…

   NHTSA complaint #11675918 · source
5. Filed Jun 26, 2025ILElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSuspension

   I submitted a complaint about the service shifter that i been having since 2020 right after i finance the car with dealership. The problem continued and it hasnt been resolved even after taking it back for repairing. Recently on 6/24/2025 my car stopped on the expressway, the service shifter came on and also electrical throttle service control. My car started trembling and it would turn on but i couldnt drive it. The expressway road assistance was able to push me out the…

   NHTSA complaint #11669491 · source
6. Filed Jun 17, 2025CAAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   I believe the PTU is malfunctioning and causing the transmission to slip or jerk. I am experiencing uncontrolled movement while driving. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection upon request. This puts myself and 2 small children at risk while driving, therefore my ability to use this vehicle is extremely limited and high risk. I have taken it to a jeep dealership in porterville ca who stated my transmission needed replacement. they verbally stated my ptu was ok…

   NHTSA complaint #11667416 · source
7. Filed Jan 25, 2025COEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My 2017 has experienced multiple loss of power events( two on the highway!). The vehicle’s transmission will disengage and I will have to coast to the side of the road. My ignition is still on but have been told previously that my PTU needs replacing. I will have the amber service transmission light illuminated but only after having transmission disengage. This power failure is a extremely serious safety issue- now the local Jeep dealers have “no fix” and I am having to rent…

   NHTSA complaint #11638510 · source
8. Filed Oct 6, 2024SDElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   1. Consumer is a Permanent and Total Disabled Vet (Unemployable) and this vehicle is the only vehicle Consumer has. 2. I have a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk KL (XXX) I have owned since day one with 56k miles. 3. At all times I did not receive any recall notices for correct known safety issues. 5. I have OBD-II tools of vLinker (use everyday for LiveData), BlueDriver and TogDog. 6. For almost as long as I have had the Jeep I have experienced the following. When I say the…

   NHTSA complaint #11618355 · source
9. Filed Jul 23, 2024PAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The shifter turns all red lights and service shifter appears in the warnings. There was a recall for this on certain vin #s for the same make and model but Chrysler refuses to acknowledge the wider problem effecting others. They advise you to pay out of pocket and I can’t afford that. This is clearly an issue that is wide spread and the danger is unknown what can happen but I don’t feel safe driving my [XXX] in a vehicle with all these warning lights. The issue started…

   NHTSA complaint #11603987 · source
10. Filed Oct 22, 2023MAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    Service shifter light is turning on the car at 20-60 mph and more. Car warning continues to appear over multiple periods of times and not able to see speed and determine if car is driving properly!

    NHTSA complaint #11551275 · source
11. Filed Oct 19, 2023WVEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    While driving the service shifter warning has come on. The car will drive like it is not in the correct gear, and all the gear shift lights come on. It does not want to accelerate. If the warning comes on when starting up, the Jeep will not allow me to shift from park. It has to be shut off and restarted after waiting a few minutes. The auto stop-start no longer works. (It’s the feature that helps to cut emissions that usually engages when at a signal light.). While…

    NHTSA complaint #11550924 · source
12. Filed Sep 21, 2023LAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The Service Shifter light came on and keeps coming on sporadically. I was dismayed to learn that there are numerous complaints regarding the Service Shifter light on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. Has this ever been formally addressed.

    NHTSA complaint #11545923 · 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