CarBrief

NHTSA has 364 owner complaints for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, led by engine, power train and electrical issues[1][2][3][4]. Five recalls are on file, and some apply only to the 3.0L diesel[5][6][7][8][9].

364owner complaints[1]
5recalls[10]
15–21MPG combined (EPA)[11]
4–5★NHTSA overall rating[12]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Grand Cherokee[1]. Of those, 26 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 19 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 108 37,650
Power train[3] 88 45,000
Electrical system[4] 87 33,450
Unknown or other[13] 76 25,000
Fuel/propulsion system[14] 31 19,400
Brakes[15] 29 30,000
Speed control[16] 21 21,000
Seats[17] 20 39,057

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. This is not a count of all owners, only a look at what people describe.

The complaint groups with crashes stand out in the table above. Brakes have 5 crashes among 29 complaints[15]. Unknown or other has 8 crashes among 76[13]. Small groups can swing a lot, so read these as a pointer, not a ranking of danger.

Recalls

The three diesel recalls apply only to vehicles with that engine. The engine and fuel economy facts we have for 2017 list gasoline engines[11][18][19][20]. Check your own vehicle on NHTSA's recall lookup to see which recalls apply to it.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions for 2017. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
2WD, 3.6L 6-cylinder, Automatic 8-spd[11] 19 / 26 / 21 Regular $3,200
4WD, 3.6L 6-cylinder, Automatic 8-spd[20] 18 / 25 / 21 Regular $3,200
4WD, 5.7L 8-cylinder, Automatic 8-spd[18] 14 / 22 / 17 Midgrade $4,450
SRT 4WD, 6.4L 8-cylinder, Automatic 8-spd[19] 13 / 19 / 15 Premium $5,500

Engine choice makes a clear difference in the EPA numbers. Going from the 3.6L to the 5.7L costs 4 combined MPG and EPA's estimate adds $1,250 a year[20][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star ratings differ by drive type[21][12].

Engine and size

The EPA test list gives 295 hp for the 3.6L 6-cylinder and 470 hp for the 6.4L 8-cylinder[22][23]. Delete the sentence.

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Laredo 4x4[24] 190 in 76 in 69 in 115 in 4,676 lb
Limited 4x4[25] 190 in 76 in 69 in 115 in 4,874 lb
Overland/Summit 4x4[26] 190 in 76 in 69 in 115 in 4,985 lb
SRT[27] 191 in 77 in 69 in 115 in 5,150 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1995: 719 complaints, 4 recalls19951996: 893 complaints, 6 recalls1997: 991 complaints, 5 recalls1998: 1,028 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 1,638 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 1,447 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 883 complaints, 4 recalls2002: 1,476 complaints, 10 recalls2003: 762 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 1,295 complaints, 8 recalls2005: 2,051 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 1,280 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 1,109 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 734 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 138 complaints, 2 recalls2010: 118 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 1,642 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 1,644 complaints, 10 recalls2013: 805 complaints, 9 recalls2014: 2,383 complaints, 18 recalls2015: 1,367 complaints, 9 recalls20152016: 311 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 364 complaints, 5 recalls36420172018: 855 complaints, 10 recalls2019: 370 complaints, 7 recalls20192020: 241 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 500 complaints, 16 recalls2022: 489 complaints, 24 recalls2023: 593 complaints, 23 recalls20232024: 314 complaints, 18 recalls2025: 120 complaints, 5 recalls2026: 52 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Cherokee model year. The 2017 is highlighted[10].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19957194
19968936
19979915
19981,0284
19991,6384
20001,4476
20018834
20021,47610
20037624
20041,2958
20052,0513
20061,2804
20071,1095
20087344
20091382
20101185
20111,6426
20121,64410
20138059
20142,38318
20151,3679
20163118
20173645
201885510
20193707
20202413
202150016
202248924
202359323
202431418
20251205
2026526

Complaints and recalls on file with NHTSA for neighboring Grand Cherokee model years[10]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2015 1,367 9
2016 311 8
2017 364 5
2018 855 10
2019 370 7

The 2017 model year sits near 2016 and 2019 on complaints and below 2018. It has fewer recalls than each of those neighbors[10]. The 2014 model year is far higher, with 2,383 complaints and 18 recalls[10]. These counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2017 Grand Cherokee?

The 2017 Grand Cherokee has a moderate complaint count compared with its neighbors, and five recalls on file[10]. The biggest complaint groups are engine, power train and electrical[2][3][4]. In the small samples we read, owners describe shifter and transmission behavior[3], trouble filling the tank[14] and stalling[2][14]. Three of the five recalls involve the 3.0L diesel, so they matter only if the vehicle has that engine[5][6][7]. Before buying, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for proof of completed recall work, especially since the EGR cooler remedy was still waiting on parts[7]. If fuel cost matters, the 3.6L versions are the cheapest to run in EPA's numbers[11][20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
By complaint count, NHTSA lists engine (108), power train (88) and electrical system (87) as the largest groups out of 364 complaints[1][2][3][4].
Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists five: 23V411, 22V406, 20V699, 18V332 and 16V686[5][6][7][8][9]. Three apply to 3.0L diesel engines only[5][6][7].
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
EPA combined ratings are 21 MPG for the 3.6L, 17 MPG for the 5.7L and 15 MPG for the SRT 6.4L[11][18][19][20].
What safety rating does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA gives 4 overall stars for 2WD and 5 for 4WD[21][12].
Is the 2017 Grand Cherokee a good year compared with 2018?
It has 364 complaints and 5 recalls, against 855 and 10 for 2018[10]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee (26 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 108 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 88 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 87 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,450). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 23V411, filed June 8, 2023: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 22V406, filed June 9, 2022: Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 20V699, filed November 12, 2020: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve). NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 16V686, filed September 23, 2016: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  10. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Grand Cherokee model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  11. EPA rating for Grand Cherokee 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  12. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 76 complaints name the unknown or other component group (8 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 31 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 29 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 21 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 20 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,057). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA rating for Grand Cherokee 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Midgrade, All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Grand Cherokee SRT 4WD, 6.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Grand Cherokee 4WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 295 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 6.4L 8-cylinder: rated 470 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CHEROKEE 4DR SUV LAREDO 4X4: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,676 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CHEROKEE 4DR SUV LIMITED 4X4: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,874 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CHEROKEE 4DR SUV OVERLAND/SUMMIT 4X4: length 190 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,985 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND CHEROKEE SRT 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 77 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,150 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.