2014 Jeep Cherokee transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V343000Jun 11, 202067,248 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU). Relative movement in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU. If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

  Risk: A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. This recall began July 14, 2020. Owners may contact FCA USA LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is W47.

• Recall 19V447000Jun 13, 201981,615 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.2L engines. In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.

  Risk: An unexpected shift to neutral would result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.

  Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began August 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V69.

• Recall 16V529000Jul 12, 2016329,540 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

  Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain

   Active Drive 2 PTU failure caused Jeep to lose power on roadway forcing me to try to get to shoulder quickly to avoid blocking traffic or being rear ended. The part is available. I haven’t sent to dealership due to financial constraints. There are numerous incidents and even a recall for similar 2 speed PTUs sold on 2014+ Jeep cherokees. Recall only covered certain VINs and not all vehicles with this same PTU. But there have been many more instances of failure from the PTUs…

   NHTSA complaint #11769930 · source
2. Filed Oct 6, 2026CAEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission light went on. Car was brought into dealership two times while still under warranty. They did not have a fix and PTU was on back order for over a year in 2017. I am now resorting to pay out of pocket. I had a PTU shipped from a Jeep dealer in Louisiana. PTU from them was not new but had come off another car and was charged $2,300. I sent it back because it was used at that time I was working and was going to pay out of pocket. I was not going to pay to…

   NHTSA complaint #11769410 · source
3. Filed Sep 17, 202640,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N), and the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The “Service 4WD" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the PTU unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer…

   NHTSA complaint #11765082 · source
4. Filed Sep 9, 2026CTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   This issue has occurred on several occasions. I successfully reverse but when I switch back to "drive" the vehicle enters a neutral state. When driving on the highway, the vehicle has slowed itself to 40mph and continues to slow itself until it becomes disabled. I currently see there has been a recall for this vehicle in 2019 (19V447000) which did not include my VIN. However, my vehicle is experiencing the exact symptoms described in that specific recall. The vehicle is…

   NHTSA complaint #11763133 · source
5. Filed Sep 8, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   The PTU has failed and now my warranty claim is being denied. I drive a 2014 Jeep Cherokee and this is a COMMON issue with this car. It unfortunately has not fallen under a recall that I can see anywhere even though so many others have.

   NHTSA complaint #11762715 · source
6. Filed Sep 4, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchesed the vehicle in April of 2024, test drove it and it drove fine, the dealership said they had to service a recall of the transfer case before I could take the car home. Once I picked the car up and drove it for a few days it was driving very weird and had low speed shuttering, I took it back to the dealership after googling that it might be related to the transfer case and they looked at it and said everything was fine, so I just dealt with the issue. Recently the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762061 · source
7. Filed Aug 30, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle is experiencing a critical structural failure directly related to Safety Recall W47. Due to severe, unmitigated drivetrain vibrations caused by internal Power Transfer Unit (PTU) input spline wear, the structural mounting fasteners connecting the PTU housing to the aluminum automatic transmission casing have completely backed out and/or sheared off while operating.When attempting to have this safety defect remedied under the active W47 recall, both the authorized…

   NHTSA complaint #11760718 · source
8. Filed Aug 19, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Failure of the PTU prevented vehicle from going into park. Gears in PRU stripped causing complete failure and vehicle would not move.

   NHTSA complaint #11758099 · source
9. Filed Jul 30, 2026160,000 miMITowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter became stuck in neutral. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V447000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11753698 · source
10. Filed Jul 21, 202680,000 miKSTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud roaring sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power transfer unit failure. The contact was informed that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The contact was informed that the failure was a…

    NHTSA complaint #11751909 · source
11. Filed Jun 19, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain

    My PTU in my 2014 Jeep Cherokee is failing. The car has been jerking when accelerating. Sometimes very slow when I first accelerate then jerks heavily and takes off at a high rate of speed. I also noticed weird grinding and unusual sounds. The sound starts randomly when accelerating or when traveling and I let off the accelerator. The sound is more of a howling then grinds and quickly goes away. I replaced all the wheel bearings on the vehicle and it still existed. I then…

    NHTSA complaint #11745328 · source
12. Filed Jun 10, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    It began with front end grinding sounds. I took the vehicle to multiple mechanic shops and all the shops agree that the Power Transfer Unit is leaking and metal shaving are visibly coming out of the seal. This is supposed to be a sealed unit that doesn’t require service. There are already two separate recalls for this exact issue 2017 - 2019 and 2019 - 2023. Apparently, this could disengage from the transmission or worse, lock my transmission up and possibly cause an…

    NHTSA complaint #11743145 · 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