2016 Jeep Cherokee — 3.2L

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee represents a notable inflection point in the fifth-generation’s federal safety record. Complaints dropped sharply from 2014’s peak of 2,636 to 1,399 in 2016, while recalls fell from 13 to 9 and investigations from 4 to 2, signaling mid-cycle corrective actions. However, powertrain issues (431 complaints) remained the dominant concern, consistent with the broader 2014–2018 trend, though less severe than in 2014–2015. The 2016 model sits between the higher-risk early years and the more stable 2017–2018 period, suggesting some lingering teething problems but improved reliability relative to its predecessors. With 35 crash-related complaints and 14 fire reports, safety concerns persist but are not disproportionately elevated. **Takeaway:** The 2016 Cherokee is a *better* choice than the 2014–2015 models, but buyers should prioritize a thorough powertrain inspection and verify recall completions before purchasing.