RoadVitals

2016 Jeep Cherokee Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Nov 21, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 1,403 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Jeep Cherokee submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Nov 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact stated that during the second failure, the parking brake independently activated, and the parking brake seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a parking brake module failure. The contact was informed of water intrusion and that the parking brake module was destroyed. The contact was informed that the parking brake module and the rear brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear seats and tailgate area were wet with water. The contact stated that the two reservoirs in the rear of the vehicle were almost filled with rainwater. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic. The contact had not been informed of the diagnostic result. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic because the sunroof assembly was fractured. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was not sure of where the rainwater was entering the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11700803
Incident
Sep 21, 2025
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 29, 2024

Cracked windshield. No visible impact mark. Parked car at home and when came back out there was small crack coming from bottom driver side going up. Later on when actually driving the vehicle the crack randomly started getting bigger and went further up and then split to the side until reached edge of windshield.

NHTSA ID
11632965
Incident
Nov 2, 2023
Visibility
Filed Nov 27, 2022

The right side visor came loose, not being able to hold any position, hanging to be a distraction and impeding view. The issue seems to be a plastic component of the swivel joint broke just above where it's reinforced by metal. I assume both sides have similar construction/design, at risk of this mode of failure. A quick internet search leads me to believe this is common, with others indicating the breaking at the same place. Although this may be considered a convenience item, the function of shading sun, and its place within the field of view, makes it a safety concern.

NHTSA ID
11495040
Incident
Nov 27, 2022
Visibility
Filed Aug 11, 2022

While I was at a stand still at a railroad crossing, the rear windshield shattered independently without impact. I did not see any warning lights prior to the incident. I had called the police department and filed a police report as I did not know what happened at the time. No one was injured nor needed medical attention. I was able to drive the 2 minutes home. I had hired an independent mechanic, Safelite, to come to my house and fix the windshield. As he was fixing it he made me aware that my rear defroster on the windshield had overheated and burned the cables which had caused the failure. My grandfather contacted the local dealership and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure.

NHTSA ID
11478796
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Visibility
Filed Apr 8, 2022
Fire reported

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while his granddaughter was at a stand still at a railroad crossing, the rear windshield shattered independently without impact. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning light was illuminated. The driver called the police department and filed a police report. The contact stated no one was injured nor seek medical attention. The driver was able to continue to drive to her residence. The contact spoke to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact stated an independent mechanic came to her residence and informed the rear defroster on the windshield overheated and burned the cables which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ID
11460106
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Mileage
69,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 28, 2021

Unable to pump window fluid onto window, to remove road oil from window, do to the window washer fluid Reservoir, that has separated along the seam, at the bottom of the Reservoir. I STRONGLY believe this is a defect, since there was no accident, or anything else, to cause it to separated at the seam, at the bottom of the Reservoir. This is a MAJOR safety issue, when getting hit with very dirty/oily water and unable to immediately clean/clear the windshield, do to the window washer fluid Reservoir separating at the bottom, right at the seam. I STRONGLY believe this is a defect, for it's young age.

NHTSA ID
11434744
Incident
Sep 27, 2021
Visibility
Filed Apr 9, 2021

I BOUGHT MY 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE BRAND NEW IN FEBRUARY 2016. THE WIPERS QUIT WORKING DURING A HEAVY RAIN STORM IN MYRTLE BEACH. YOU TURN THE SWITCH AND THEY WOULDN'T TURN ON. THE NEXT DAY, THEY WORKED. ONCE AGAIN I NEEDED THEM IN ANOTHER RAIN STORM, AND THEY DIDN'T WORK. I LIVE ON THE COAST OF NC AND IT RAINS OFTEN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK AGAIN A WEEK LATER, THEY REPLACED THE BCM WHICH WAS OVER $500. 6-8 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. SAME THING HAPPENED DURING A RAIN STORM. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BCM ONCE AGAIN. THEN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, HAPPENS AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY SAID A WIRE HAD SHORTED OUT ON BCM. A WIRE WAS REPLACED. ONCE AGAIN 8 MONTHS OR SO LATER, HAPPENS AGAIN IN JULY 2020, REPLACED YET ANOTHER BCM. NOW IN APRIL OF 2021, TODAY, IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN AND I'M DRIVING FROM FLORIDA BACK TO NC ON HIGHWAY 95. GOING THROUGH A RAIN STORM AND WIPERS NOT WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY FRUSTRATING. IF I MAKE IT, I'LL BE TAKING IT AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND VIDEO PROOF. IF I COULD GET RID OF THIS CAR I WOULD BUT I CAN'T. SUBMITTED A PICTURE OF DRIVING IN RAIN ON 95 AND WIPER SWITCH IS SET TO HIGH.

NHTSA ID
11407272
Incident
Apr 9, 2021
Mileage
114,160 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Feb 21, 2021

WITHIN 7 MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP, THE 4WD SAYS UNAVAILABLE, THE WIPER SPRAYER BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I COULDN'T SPRAY MY WINDOW ON A SNOW-MELTING, MESSY DAY. THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN TORRENT RAINS WHERE I ALMOST GOT RUN OVER BY A SEMI-TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR HAVING TO PULL OVER. THE MUD FLAPS CONTINUE TO RIP CAUSING MUD AND ICE TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE TIRES. IN 15-BELOW WEATHER, I WENT TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT HIGHER THAN 4 (OUT OF 7), IT MADE A LOUD, VIBRATING SOUND UNTIL I TURNED IT BACK DOWN, SO I WAS VERY COLD ALL THE WAY TO WORK. THE NEXT DAY IT WORKED FINE. THE DAY AFTER THAT, I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AGAIN TO GO TO WORK, IT WAS 15-BELOW STILL, AND I HAD NO HEATER BLOWER AT ALL. I HAD NO HEAT. I COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO THAT, HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP, AND ENDED UP CALLING IN SICK AT WORK, WHICH JEOPARDIZED MY BRAND NEW EMPLOYEE STATUS.

NHTSA ID
11397237
Incident
Feb 12, 2021
Mileage
110,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 19, 2020

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE RANDOMLY COME ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND AS OF TODAY WILL NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY. THEY CAN BE SLOWED TO AN INTERMITTENT POSITION OR RUN AT FULL SPEED BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF.THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN ONLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOW THEY ARE ON WEATHER DRIVING OR IN PARK, AND ONLY STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE IN TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID
11310200
Incident
Feb 19, 2020
Mileage
36,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 18, 2019

IN MY CHEROKEE THE SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR CAME ON. ALL THE POSITIONS ON THE SHIFTER LITE UP (P,R,D AND THE + -) THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I LOOKED AT SEVERAL OTHER COMMENTS ON LINE. I WAS LEAVING A DRIVE IN AND WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE EVERYTHING TURNED RED AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER ILLUMINATED IN MY MESSAGE CENTER. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I HAD A ISSUE RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS STUCK IN PARK AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 2000 MILES. I CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 83000 MILE ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11280956
Incident
Nov 18, 2019
Mileage
83,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalVisibility
Filed Jun 22, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SUDDENLY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC CONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, AFTER REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH A MESSAGE INDICATING "KEY INSERTED" WOULD DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTINGTON JEEP IN HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,200.

NHTSA ID
11000611
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
10,200 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 4, 2017

DRIVERS SIDE WIPER STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. THE PASSENGERS STILL WORKS UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR WHEN IT RAINS.

NHTSA ID
10958620
Incident
Mar 4, 2017
Mileage
8,500 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Jan 6, 2017

SETTING CRUISE DOES NOT HOLD WITH EVEN VERY MINOR INCLINE/DECLINE NO MATTER WHAT SPEED SET IS. THE INCREASE OF SPEED DURING SET CRUISE IS ALARMING AT OVER 10+ MILES AT MEDIUM DECLINE, AND AT SOME POINT CAR TRIES TO SLOW DOWN, BUT IT IS NOT A SMOOTH TRANSITION, AS IT FEELS JERKY. I HAVE TAKEN TO LICAL JEEP DEALER, BUT THEY SAID MAYBE AFTR "COMPUTER UPDATES", IT WOULD REMEDY IT. NOT! I CAN BE ON A BOULEVARD, STREET, HIGHWAY, ETC... I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR 1-13-2017 WHILE LATITUDE STILL HAS WARRANTY...NO DEALER IS ABLE TO GET VEHICLES IN QUICKLY, SO THAT ALONE SAYS A LOT ABOUT ISSUES WITH THIS MANUFACTURER.... I WOULD ADD THAT I TESTED CRUISE WITH THAT AUTOMATIC ENGINE SHUTOFF BOTH ON AND OFF TO NARROW IT DOWN, BUT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE... THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH DEFROSTING WINDSHIELD, TOO, WHERE THE ONLY REMEDY IS ROLLING DOWN WINDOWS, WHICH IS TERRIBLE IN FOG, RAIN, COLD WEATHER... THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS THE AREA WHERE THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS ARE: IT IS SO WIDE, IT BLOCKS AN ONCOMING CAR (ESPECIALLY ON PASSENGER SIDE), WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IT MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD, TOO, AS MANY STREETS HAVE MEDIANS AND MANY DO NOT. SOME HAVE CONCRETE BIKE CURBS, AND ONE MUST PULL CAR FURTHER OUT THAN NORMAL, JUST TO AVOID RUNNING INTO SOMETHING. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. IF AREA IS DARK, IT IS A GUESSING GAME. THIS ALSO MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE DEER IN NEIGHBORHOODS OR FREEWAYS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, MUCH LESS OBJECTS THAT ARE THREE FEET TALL AND BELOW.

NHTSA ID
10940213
Incident
May 20, 2016
Mileage
1 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .